Valdese should think 'outside the box' for budget solutions

TO THE EDITOR:

This letter is addressed to the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Valdese.

Thank you for defending the Town of Valdese Vision Plan and for considering revisions to the 2026-27 budget as drafted by staff.

Please take into consideration the following thoughts to balance the Town of Valdese budget:

1. Use the town hall to house our fire and police departments. It is a very strong stone building that is not yet paid for. It is far superior to a $10 million tin building.

2. Cancel the new fluoride tank. It is not mandatory and some experts along with some of our citizens do not want it in our water.

3. Require a line item budget from all town departments especially from the Recreation Department since it does not serve the majority of Valdese taxpayers.

4. Our town of fewer than 5,000 citizens cannot pay salaries like those paid in cities like Hickory and should not be compared to them.

5. Investigate grants and how they may be used for essentials instead of capital projects for parks.

6. Lower legal bills. Taxpayers should not be expected to pay for legal protection of those who serve them.

Thank you for considering these outside-the-box ideas.

WILL MUELLER

ROSE MUELLER