Dickinson City Council is taking proactive steps to ensure a smooth budget process this year, aiming to avoid the time crunch experienced in previous years. During the recent meeting, council members discussed a proposed tax rate and outlined a timeline for budget approvals.

The council plans to hold a public hearing on the budget on August 26, followed by the first reading of the budget ordinance. A second public hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for September 9, which will also include the second reading of the budget ordinance. The goal is to ratify and adopt both the budget and tax rates by the same date.

Council member Miss Clark highlighted that the proposed tax rate will remain unchanged, with documentation provided to the council for review. This includes an analysis of the implications of maintaining the current tax rate versus a slight increase.

The council is open to additional budget workshops if necessary, indicating a willingness to adapt the schedule to ensure thorough consideration of the budget. This structured approach reflects the council's commitment to transparency and community engagement in the budgeting process.

As the council moves forward, the focus remains on finalizing the budget efficiently, ensuring that Dickinson residents are informed and involved in the decisions that affect their community.