SARRIS & McKANe
for OXFORD​​
Update:
Oxford's Credit Rating has been Reinstated, BUT....
1. What currently is our General Fund balance? The recent audit was completed, pre-flood, fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Watch the video, to hear our Board of Finance Chairman explain that the 2024 "surplus" had already been obligated to costs, BEFORE the flood.
In April and July 2025, neither our Board of Finance nor Finance Director could tell Amy Sarris the General Fund balance, because they did not know! They still do not know!
**I would require accounting software with access to our financial records for our Board of Finance.**
2. The administration's explanation for our late filing and the credit rating withdrawal is the flood and FEMA's strict filing requirements. Why is Oxford the anomaly? Neither Seymour nor Southbury's ratings were withdrawn? In fact, Southbury's audit was completed in September 2024 - just weeks after the flood - with no weaknesses identified in accurate financial reporting! What measures is the town taking to prevent this from happening again?
**I would require that our Emergency Operating Plan identifies someone other than our town's Finance Director to be the point person for natural disaster payments and recoveries - and that they be trained to do the job.
We also need proper accounting software with access by our elected Board of Finance, to oversee and manage our budget.**
3. Oxford's audit found material weaknesses in timely and accurate financial reporting.
**Is this acceptable?**
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At a town budget meeting in 2024, our BoF Chairman, Jack Kiley, explained why Oxford's taxes were going up: for years, our General Fund “surplus” had been used to mask budget increases. The "surplus" has been depleted. There’s nothing left to offset rising budget costs or fund future needed projects.
Mr Kiley said, "This not good practice to do in the first place. We should always spend to what we have. We should never do that. But we've been doing it."
**Note: The administration is now telling us that the delayed 2024 audit reveals that our town has solid financials. BUT, in the spring of 2024, our BoF already knew - before this audit- the General Fund balance was just over $8M, with the surplus obligated to projects.
CURRENTLY, our BoF does not know what remains in our General Fund. Over $6.5M has been paid for flood costs under a prolonged "State of Emergency" - payments are just be reported to our BoF. The Town only bonded $4M for flood costs. This year, our General Fund balance must be $5.9M (10% of the approved budget). HOW?
Our 2024 audit revealed material weaknesses in accurate and timely financial reporting!
INTRODUCTIONS
Amy Sarris is an Oxford mom, neighbor, and proud advocate for a representative government. ​ Amy has a Juris Doctorate degree and has been working as paralegal in Connecticut since 2008.
After attending town budget meetings in 2023, Amy began asking questions that led to deeper investigations into past decisions and their lasting impact on Oxford. Since the summer 2023, she has consistently attended Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance meetings, advocating for transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.​​
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Amy's platform is based off of what she found after researching and attending Town Hall meetings for the past two years: (1) Fiscal Responsibility: we need to maintain what we have and spend within the approved budget; (2) Checks & Balance: these aren’t optional – they protect our rights; (3) Thriving Community: we must invest in the needs of our community and serve the people; and (4) Responsible Growth – we must plan for our future.
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Now,​​ Amy Sarris is running for First Selectwoman, committed to bringing back the residents' voice to town decisions and responsible governance. Amy is excited to partner with Selectman David McKane, a life-long resident of Oxford, who shares the same concerns and sees where effective change is needed for a stronger Oxford future. ​