Budget Passes By 14 Votes

Voter turnout was minimal Tuesday, but voters decided to pass the town council's adopted budget for fiscal year 2011-12 Tuesday by a margin of only 14 votes.

The budget passed reflects a 1-percent overall increase from the current fiscal year and a 2-percent increase in taxes for residents and property owners.

Mayor Don Trinks said the budget's passing is "a relief" for the fact that the council devoted most of their April to presenting a budget that would be seen as acceptable by residents and approved during referendum.

While there were several democratic members of the Town Council in attendance, visibly hoping for the passing of the budget, both parties supported the budget during the council's final budget session.

"Yes" and "No" votes were neck and neck from the start, with absentee ballots reporting a 19 to 14 total in favor of the budget. As districts across town reported their votes it became apparent that the votes would remain close, and Council Chambers fell quiet as votes against the budget outweighed those in favor with only two districts outstanding.

Those in favor of the budget widened their lead before the final district reported its votes. The Rainbow Road Firehouse polling station reported a vote of 135 against, 80 in favor, but the "No" votes were too few.