BUDGET VOTE

Thoughts on Madison’s 2013-2014 School and Town Budgets MPOA urges all Madison Taxpayers to vote “No” on the Town and School budgets at the referendum on Tuesday, May 14th; because: • Our per capita taxes are 21% higher than the average of adjoining towns. • Madison’s proposed overall budget-to-budget increase of 3% may be compared to the current and projected consumer price index of 2%. • Madison’s population has increased 2.3% over ten years while town spending has accelerated 76.8%, with most cost increases due to added personnel. • Madison’s student population continues to decline, down 17.5% since 2006, yet our Education budget continues to rise-and by a large percentage. • Some question the safety of artificial turf for players, yet the town is planning to spend $660K to update playing fields at DHHS in this proposed budget. Also, has any cost benefit study been performed on artificial vs. natural turf? • The proposed capital budget lacks any prioritization criteria. • If we do nothing to challenge our town officials to be more efficient and effective with our tax dollars, they never will. Submitted by: Madison Property Owners Association’s Board of Directors, May, 2013