The Town of Davidson has released the proposed agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners, and at the top of the order of business is a public hearing over the proposed budget for Fiscal 2008-09. There will also be a presentation on a possible joint venture with Davidson IB Middle School to build a community center on the middle school campus. The board meeting will start at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 216 S. Main Street.

Last month, Town Manager Leamon Brice reviewed the proposed budget with the board, and said he would present a propsal for a two-cent increase in the tax rate. That would allow funding of some priorities, but also leaves out some projects that citizens and town department heads have wanted. See our April 23, 2008, article “Board wrestles with new budget.” Includes links to the draft budget as well as a summary of the board’s discussion.

In email messages circulating in Davidson this week, backers of improvements to the sports fields on South Street have been encouraging a big turnout for Tuesday’s hearing. They say they are frustrated that money for badly needed work on town sports fields has been eliminated from the budget.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Charlotte Observer previewed the budget in an article “Manager foresees higher tax rate.” Town Manager Leamon Brice, saying “he planned to propose a 5.8 percent increase in the tax rate.” The new budget will take effect July 1.