In a recent town council meeting, officials presented and adopted the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, totaling $23,990,005. Town Manager emphasized that there would be no tax increases or rate changes included in the budget, which encompasses various funds such as the general fund, capital project fund, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund.

Despite the significant allocation of taxpayer dollars, public engagement during the budget discussions has been notably low, leading some council members to interpret the lack of attendance as a sign of community satisfaction with current initiatives. The council highlighted a specific allocation of $4,000 for the \"Saturday Soundtracks\" program, which was included following a request from a council member. The town manager assured that this amount would be sourced from anticipated salary savings within the budget.

Additionally, the council discussed changes to how council remuneration is handled, aligning it with staff payment increases to ensure transparency and public input in future budget processes. This adjustment aims to prevent council members from unilaterally deciding on their salaries, instead incorporating it into the overall budget discussion.

The budget was unanimously adopted by the council, with members expressing gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to its formulation. The meeting concluded with a transition to other discussion items, marking a significant step in the town's financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year.