Communications from Town Council: Doug Hay

As budget season begins, make your priorities for Black Mountain heard

Black Mountain Town Councilmember Doug Hay

Each spring, the Town Council begins to work with staff on what is arguably their most important duty, the annual budget. 

The budget indicates the town's projected revenue and costs, and largely consists of funding the day-to-day business that keeps the town running.

But it also identifies the community's civic priorities and establishes a plan for the future — how much funding will go towards each department and what services they will provide. 

For example, the current budget passed last year included increased funding for new fire and police department positions, the community garden, solar panels on the Carver Center, road maintenance and the Parks and Recreation Department for resurfacing of the Lake Tomahawk tennis courts, among other things. 

There was also continued funding for the greenways project, water line improvements, and so much more. 

Discussions and planning for the 2022-2023 budget will begin soon, kicking off in part with a Town Council Strategic Planning Meeting, beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 5. The meeting will be held at the Terry Estate Manor House on the Black Mountain campus of Montreat College and is open to the public. It will be followed by the typical budget workshops and regular monthly meetings. 

Throughout this process, you can help shape the priorities and future funding by making your own priorities for the town known — whether that's road, pedestrian, or bike infrastructure, stormwater management, parks services, or if your priority is debt reduction and decreased spending.

Whatever your priorities are, you can join the conversation by sharing a comment at a meeting or workshop, emailing me and other council members directly, or by organizing a group to advocate for a specific priority. 

I look forward to hearing from you throughout this process, as your input can play a major role in shaping the budget.