Take the time to take part in budget process

EDITORIAL:

   Over the next few weeks, school boards and municipal governing bodies across the state will continue an annual ritual — the creation of their next year’s budget. It’s never the most exciting or pleasurable task for a municipal leader, but it is a necessary part of what they do as our elected officials.
   As our local municipal leaders crunch the numbers in the next couple of months deciding where our tax dollars will go this year, it’s important that residents understand they do have a voice in the process. Boards of education and municipal committees and councils typically hold budget workshops that give residents the chance to see the budget develop. Once a spending plan is nailed down, a pubic hearing is held to give residents an opportunity to give their opinion on the budget and comment on various expenditures.
   Budget season promises to be an especially difficult one this year for many municipalities across the state, and that includes our towns in The Messenger-Press coverage area. Thanks to a sluggish economy and a drop in state aid, municipal governments and school boards will be forced to make some hard choices again this year about where our money goes. No doubt some programs will have to be cut because the money just simply is not there.
   The financial woes couldn’t come at a worse time, as many of our regional school districts continue to see an increase in student enrollment, which demands more school services, more staff and, hence, more money. The pain is being felt especially within the Washington Township district, which is preparing for the construction and opening of its own high school in another two years, on top of its already burgeoning student population.
   The decision by the Washington school board two weeks ago to present its proposed budget to the public early in the game was a smart one. As Superintendent Paul Harren put it, "I really don’t think that the community in general has an understanding of what constitutes a budget. That was our attempt … to let the community see the first stages of putting together the budget."
   And of course it gives residents enough time to digest any bad news, such as a tax increase, before a public vote is held in April. And when that public vote does take place, the theory holds, voters will have received all the information they need to make an informed decision.
   The important word to remember here is "proposed." It pops up a lot in headlines and stories around this time, and there’s a reason for that. A proposed budget means it hasn’t been finalized; it’s not set in stone, it’s subject to additional review and change. It’s at this time that residents have the opportunity to make themselves heard and help shape the budget process in way that best serves their interests.
   Nothing may stop a needed tax hike, but by attending municipal budget meetings and staying informed, residents can at least be assured they’ll be making the best decision possible when it’s time for their vote to be cast.