A.  Status Report on Development of the Annual Budget for 2006-07

This forum provides an opportunity for citizens to comment on any aspect of the Town's budget and budget documents, including services that should be added, eliminated or changed. The Town's 2006-07 budget and service year will begin on July 1, 2006 in accord with State law.

In addition, we invite citizens' comments on the preliminary budget information for 2006-07 included as Attachment 2.  This information provides an outline and summary of preliminary costs estimates for a base budget for 2006-07, and potential additional costs to the base budget considering information currently available.  Both the base budget and potential additions to the base are shown relative to total revenues estimated to be available in 2006-07 and the difference between estimated revenues and costs. 

Purpose

The annual budget includes primarily operating costs for police and fire protection, street maintenance, refuse collection, various other public works services, parks and recreation, public transit, the public library, planning, building inspection, engineering, legal and administrative services.

The annual budget includes one year's funding for cash-financed small projects such as sidewalks, greenways, street paving, as well as debt service payments on other capital projects.

In addition to setting Town service levels and property tax rates, the Council makes decisions on whether to adjust or adopt service fees for refuse collection, recreation programs, transit, development review, inspections and other services as part of the budget.

Next Steps

On April 24th, we will submit a recommended budget for the Council's consideration and invite comments by citizens at a public hearing scheduled for May 10th.  On June 26, 2006, the Council will consider adoption of a budget for 2006-2007.