Before Town Council considers increasing taxes and user fees, it should be able to demonstrate to its citizens that it is being efficiently operated with existing funding -- even given inflation.
How many employees are there, and in what departments (every organization's highest expense is personnel related)? Was there an exercise to reduce current expenditures, or just a "wish list" adding new costs?
Did all town employees receive the same percent cost of living increase last year? If not, what is the ongoing additional cost for these higher salaries and who received them?
If the town needs to grow to stay healthy, where are the additional revenues from new residential and commercial growth? What is the cost for additional services to these residential or commercial properties?
What businesses were granted incentives in the past year? What were these for and what is the cost to taxpayers?
What federal or state grants are available? Are there grants or other public funds that could be tapped into, yet have not been utilized for the town's benefit?
What mandates -- federal or state -- have been handed to the town, and what do these represent as new costs for the town? What reserves does the town have, and what are these funds earmarked for?
Did the town make other purchases (equipment, furniture, real property) in 2007-08 which was not planned and budgeted last year?
These are just a few questions the Finance Committee should be answering, before telling its citizens that town coffers are empty. This committee is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, May 7th at 3 pm, Town Hall. Come listen in. See the link at left to review information provided to the public thus far in this process, requiring an adopted budget by June 30.