Creating the Town’s Fiscal Year (FY) operating budget is a year-round effort that involves the Mayor, Town Council, Town staff, and the community. The budget is one of the most important tools used to support effective local government, strong public services, and a high quality of life in Clayton.

The Town recognizes that the annual budgeting process can feel complicated. Decision-makers must weigh many moving parts and competing priorities when determining how to allocate available funding across essential services, infrastructure, and community programs. Factors such as limited resources, service level expectations, changing community needs, ongoing maintenance, and revenue sources including property taxes, grants, and fees all influence how the budget comes together.

Budgeting is a partnership, and the best budgets are built with the community, not just for the community. The Town is committed to keeping this process transparent and collaborative. Community feedback helps shape the questions asked, the priorities weighed, and the tradeoffs considered as the FY27 budget is developed. Participation helps ensure decisions reflect Clayton’s needs.

Residents are encouraged to join the process by completing the budget survey. For the purposes of the survey, Town services are grouped into the following categories: 

1. Cultural Arts
2. Economic Stability and Growth
3. Environmental Sustainability
4. Library
5. Parks and Recreation
6. Public Safety
7. Transportation and Infrastructure
8. Vibrant & Accessible Downtown

 The survey will be open for responses on Monday, February 2, 2026 through Sunday, March 15, 2026. Thank you for your participation.