Town Council Seeks Budget Ideas at March 7 Hearing 2/20/06

How do you want your tax dollars spent in the budget year that begins July 1?

That's what the Holly Springs Town Council and Town Manager Carl Dean want to know during preparation on the 2006-2007 Town budget.

A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. It will occur during the council's regular business meeting in Town Hall at 128 S. Main St.

This pre-budget hearing will be an opportunity for citizens to discuss such matters as:

• What new programs, services or facilities they would like the Town to provide
• What existing programs or services they would like to see expanded
• What they think should be priority projects or programs for the Town
• What they think of existing fees and rates

“In short," Dean said, "this hearing will give citizens the chance to tell us how they feel their tax dollars should be spent… or, not spent."

The Town's new fiscal year begins July 1, but the process of formulating the budget starts in early spring. The law requires that Town Council hold a public hearing before approving the spending plan. However, this required hearing comes at the end of the budget preparation process.

“At that point,” Dean said, "it may be too late for any major changes to be made to the proposed budget.”

By adding a hearing early in the process, Dean said, Town officials can give public comments more serious consideration.

Residents will be asked to limit their comments to three minutes each. They also can send written suggestions to the Town Clerk, Town of Holly Springs, P.O. Box 8, Holly Springs, NC 27540. The e-mail address is joni.powell@hollyspringsnc.us. All comments received will be forwarded to the Town Council for consideration.

The deadline to receive written comments is 5 p.m. March 7.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us