Town Budgets

At the last Town Council meeting, many young adults were in attendance, most for the very first time. After the meeting some gathered at the same place I stopped at and they had LOTS of "civic" questions.

IE: Can we vote during a meeting?... How do you get elected?... Can we do this or do that during a meeting?... and many other very pertinent questions to do with our town.

It was refreshing, that although there was standing room only during the meeting, many of the young adults stayed throughout the meeting, even after their subject had come and gone.

One said to me after the meeting, "I found it very interesting and want to come again". I told Councilman chairman Brawn, a former civics teacher, he would have been proud to hear the interest from them. It was like Local Government 101. I reminded these young people that now is the time to become aware, because they are the future of Dexter!

So on to the subject at hand, it is "Budget Time" once again! When you run for the council, you know that the months of May and June each year, you have at least 2 meetings per week, in addition to ALL the other meetings we attend. There is a lot of reading, learning and going over figures to familiarize yourself with each department and how & where every tax dollar is going to be spent. Hours are spent agonizing what project is more important than another, to keep the budget in check.

Another thing to take in consideration are the fixed costs that are rising faster than tax dollars! re: heating costs, insurances, pay increases, schools, county, etc. We have no say, we just pay!!!!!

Last week was our first week, covering on May 13 "Police – Recreation – Community Center" and on the 15th "Assessing – Museum/Grist Mill – Economic Development".

Tonight Council Budget workshop, 6:30 p.m. at Council Chambers covering Golf Course – Cemetery & Parks – Events & Spec Programs* - Fire * Includes Alternative Energy and Snowmobile.

At each meeting the Department head of each department presents to the Council their proposed budget for the next Fiscal year. (Dexter's fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 31st).

How it works:
Department Head plead their case for new equipment, capital improvements, tazors, fire trucks, computers, etc. ...... and with that information, we have to provide you, the citizens, a balanced budget that includes the school budget, the county tax, state tax levies, cost of living, and guess the rise in fuel costs and insurance rates for both employees and buildings/vehicles.

I feel I bring to the table a good balance. I am a single low income woman and I want my tax dollars to get more "bang for the buck", especially for children and senior citizens. When I hear that the leased golf course needs a hole alignment, I wonder "aloud", is this more important than childrens programs at the Town Hall?

More people should come to town meetings including council meetings, planning board meetings, budget meetings, etc. My feeling is, don't keep on bitching if you have not come and spoken your piece! You have to realize that the council may not have heard your point of view, and it might change the way some of them vote.

Come to meetings... It is FREE to come & FREE entertainment to benefit both you and your community~

Become involved..... Ask questions!

This is the schedule for upcoming
budget meetings