Clayton Makes Annual Budget Process Easier To Follow

CLAYTON, N.C. – Todd Melton understands that budgets can feel overwhelming. If managing a household budget can be stressful, he knows a Town budget can seem even more intimidating. That’s why, as Clayton’s Budget Manager, one of his biggest goals is helping people understand how the Town’s budget works and why every decision matters.

That mindset guides the Town of Clayton’s Budget and Performance Office. Led by Melton, the office works with every Town department to develop the annual budget, monitor spending throughout the year, and measure how Town services are performing. The team also helps Town Council, employees, community stakeholders, and residents better understand how taxpayer and ratepayer dollars support Clayton’s priorities through clear communication and easy-to-access information.

“The budget office is really in the people business more than we’re in the numbers business,” said Melton. “Communication is the most important part of my job. I want people to feel comfortable asking questions because that’s how we build trust.”

That commitment to communication has shaped many of the office’s recent efforts. Since Melton joined the Town as Clayton’s first Budget Manager in 2024, the Budget and Performance Office has created more opportunities for Town Council and residents to better understand the budget long before it is adopted.

“One of the reasons this position was created was to provide more in-depth and more frequent communication,” said Melton. “The budget and the Town have both evolved, and people deserve to know what we’re working on and why.”

One of the biggest changes has been expanding the Town’s online budget resources. The Budget and Performance webpage now features an interactive budget book, financial dashboards, and performance metrics that help explain where public dollars go and how Town services are performing. Instead of asking residents to sort through pages of financial reports, the online tools break down complex information into a format that is easier to explore and understand.

“We wanted to create something that doesn’t just show where the money goes,” said Melton. “It also explains how we make decisions, how we estimate costs, and why those choices matter. When people understand the process, it helps them see the full picture.”

The office has also increased communication with Town Council by providing regular updates throughout the year. Those conversations give council members a clearer picture of budget planning, current spending, and upcoming priorities, allowing for more informed discussions before annual budget decisions are made.

Transparency doesn’t stop with online tools or council meetings. Through the Town’s Community Education Partners program, residents spent the first several months of 2026 learning how the budget is developed, working through real budget scenarios, and asking questions about the decisions behind Town spending. The program also gave the Budget and Performance Office valuable insight into the questions residents have about local government finances.

“The questions people asked were amazing,” said Melton. “We learned what residents really want to know, and they left with a better understanding of how the process works. The more people we can engage, the stronger our budget process becomes.”

As the Town moves forward, the Budget and Performance Office is finding new ways to make local government more open and accessible. Whether through interactive online tools, performance reporting, or conversations with residents, the office remains focused on helping people better understand how today’s budget decisions support Clayton’s future.