BROWNSBURG — Town officials here will officially tie a bow on their series of town hall meetings with a wrap-up presentation and open forum at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at Eaton Hall.
The town hall meeting is an opportunity for residents to review 2012 and address any concerns they may have or make any comments they like to the people who help run the town.
Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz says transparency to taxpayers is always one of his goals.
“I think with any organization that has goals and objectives, it’s important to report to the stakeholders how we’ve done,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of success from a job creation standpoint and completed several major planning projects. We developed a 2013 budget that was extremely fiscally responsible. Giving some of the details is very important so people understand that the elected town council and town staff are doing their jobs. I’ll give a wrap-up, show successes, and outline some of the targets for next year.”
Kleinhenz will give a 15- to 20-minute powerpoint presentation on the year.
He said completing the comprehensive plan was probably the biggest accomplishment of the past calendar year.
“It took 18 months to go through, to work on, and having that done really sets our foundation for the future,” he said.
The format for the town hall will mimic the earlier variety, where residents come, sign in, and have a chance to speak in a set order. Kleinhenz said that one of his goals is to make sure that every concern, e-mail, call, or contact to him by a town resident is answered through either his department or another.
“I guess it comes back to my values,” he said. “Ever since I’ve been in government, 16 years, I’ve always tried to understand how people feel when the town takes $2,000 to $3,000 in property taxes and they’re looking at those people who provide those services and they want an answer or justification of what the town is doing with that money.
“I’m a taxpayer and I’ve always been a part of those communities, so it’s a very natural progression to share with people what’s going on. I try to let people know ‘here’s what’s happened, here’s how it affects you, here’s how we’re spending money.’ I just feel that’s an important part — to let people know.”
The flip side of the town hall meeting, he said, is to allow people to share their concerns with town officials.
Kleinhenz has invited a group of officials to attend.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot accomplished,” he said. “I hope most people feel that way, and I think all of the town councilmen feel that way, and they look forward to continuing that next year.”
Kleinhenz said that he intends to continue with the town hall meetings next year.
“It’s been a beneficial tool,” he said.
Just the facts
WHAT: Brownsburg Town Hall meeting
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4
WHERE: Eaton Hall
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