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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Budgeting plays an essential role in ensuring a town’s financial stability.

Have you ever wondered how the Town of Mocksville sets its budget and determines how to allocate tax dollars? Now is your opportunity to find out.

Mayor Will Marklin and the Mocksville Board of Commissioners invite you to the town’s FY2023-2024 Budget Retreat on Feb. 4 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. beginning at Davidson-Davie Community College, 1205 S. Salisbury St.

“Mocksville residents are invited to come out to the annual budget retreat and hear how your elected officials work through the budget requests and come out with a balanced budget to work with over the next year,” said Marklin. “These discussions are open to the public and answer any questions about where your tax dollars are spent.”

This will be the board’s first budget retreat after completing the Strategic Plan in 2022. Having a strategic plan with a well-defined mission, vision and goals is essential for controlled and thoughtful growth in the town, said Town Manager Ken Gamble.

“Tying the annual budget to a long-term vision with goals and actions that transcend the annual budget is the way we will turn dreams of a better future into reality for Mocksville,” he said.

Inviting the public to the retreat is about transparency. “The town wants to be transparent during the budget process and provide the public ample opportunity to be educated on the many challenges facing the town,”Gamble said. “It’s important for our residents to have the opportunity to learn about how local government works and how we spend their tax dollars.”

During the retreat, the board will hear from Gamble and department heads regarding current and expected economic development trends, revenue projections, and recommended capital improvements.

The board will receive updated objectives, goals, and actions tied to the strategic plan and hear from department heads regarding needs for 2023-24. Staff will also brief the board on recruitment and retention strategies to attract and keep employees.

The morning portion of the program will be held in Room 110 of the college’s administration building. The board will then move to the Mocksville Fire Department Station 22 (335 Sanford Ave.) and Public Works (behind Station 22) for facility tours, an equipment display, and department presentations.

Gamble shared this year’s agenda:

• economic development Forecast from Terry Bralley, Davie County Economic Development Commission;

• infrastructure from Chuck Willis of Willis Engineering;

• quasi-judicial decision process from Al Benshoff, attorney;

• strategic plan update from Gamble;

• water  and sewer from Todd Robinson of  Envirolink;

•administration from Town Clerk Lynn Trivette;

• human resources from Emily Quance;

• community development from Tami Langdon;

• fire department and public works tour withChief Frank Carter and Director Brian Moore;

• static equipment display from Brian Moore and Chris Vaughn;

• working lunch;

fire department from Carter;

• parks and grounds from Vaughn;

• public works from Moore; and

•final items and wrap-up from Gamble.

This is the first public meeting in the budget process. The budget will be discussed at the regular monthly board meetings on: Feb. 7, (non-profit presentations); March 7, (first draft and department head requests; April 4, second draft; May 2, proposed budget and manager’s message; and June 6, public hearing and adoption.

For more information, call (336) 753-6700 or visit www.MocksvilleNC.org.