Don't understand next week's Diman ballot question? Here is what it's all about

Next Tuesday's vote on the Diman regional vocational school funding question has wide implications for Westport, as depending how it goes the project could be an extra drain on the town's yearly operating budget for 20 or more years.

The question — essentially, how should Westport fund its financial obligation to the regional project? — was first asked of voters in last November's election. It failed in November and town officials, fearing that many might not have understood what they were voting on, opted to ask again at next week's election.

Here's a primer:

What is the project?

The regional project is a joint agreement by several South Coast communities to build a new regional vocational school in Fall River. The total cost for the project is projected at $293 million.

Has Westport agreed to fund its portion of the cost?

Yes. At last year's Town Meeting, voters agreed to fund Westport's share of the project, which will come out to about $7.5 to $8 million.

If funding has already been approved, why are voters being asked about funding next week?

This is the crux of the Diman issue. With funds already approved by Westport, the only question left is how to pay Westport's share. There are two options — one, funding it through the town's yearly operating budget; and two, funding it via excluded debt.

What's the difference?

If the voters approve next week's question, the project will be funded via excluded debt, which allows the town to pay off the obligation without dipping into its only other possible funding source, the yearly operating budget. With yearly budget growth constrained to 2.5 percent by the state's Proposition 2 1/2, finding an additional $400,000 to $500,000 in the budget each year to pay for Diman will leave the town with difficult choices, officials say, as it will threaten the town's ability to pay for all current services.

What are town officials' recommendations on this vote?

Members of the select board, finance committee, town administrator and other officials are united in their opinion that the best financial outcome for Westport is a 'Yes' vote next week.