What is the ideal process for approving the town budget?
Dana Lee - Town Manager, Mechanic Falls (pop. 3,051)

Background:

The town currently has representative council but relies on town meeting for approving the budget. There is poor voter turnout at town meeting, yet people do not want to let go of the town meeting.

Issues:

• How to best word a budget article in a town warrant?

• Is it better to word the article so that it is open-ended (to see what sum ... ) so that people can raise or lower the amount or is it better to word the article so that it is capped or close-ended (to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 ... ) so that they can only raise that amount or lower that amount?

• What form of voting is best? Is it better to have show of hands voting at an open town meeting or to have private ballot casting all day long, referendum style? What is the downside of secret ballot voting?

Some Suggested MMA Resources:

• A Citizen's Guide to Town Meeting: Ten Questions you've always wanted to ask, Maine Townsman, February 1998.

• Budget Presentation, Maine Townsman, January 1996.

• Budgeting Process, Maine Townsman, January 1995.