News About Town: On Monday night, the Matthews Board of Commissioners approved the budget for Fiscal Year 19/20. The $25,640,229 budget is a 2.95% increase over last year’s budget. The tax rate for FY19/20 is $.28 per $100 valuation, a lower rate than last year, but a higher payment for those with property value increases from the real. Capital Improvement Plan projects include equipment for the Fire Department ($40,000) and police ($15,000). There is $108,000 for improvements to the parking lot at Purser Hulsey and the possible addition of a dog park, $80,000 for a multi-use path on Sam Newell, $22,000 for a multi-use path along Pleasant Plains. The downtown parking lot project is still in debate, so those funds are listed as general downtown improvements ($482,000). There is also $80,000 for public safety. From the General Fund, the Matthews Police Department will add six new officers (two of which will be patrol officers) and the full-time (non-volunteer) staffing model for Matthews Fire & EMS is fully funded.

News Around Town: With school out, the Matthews Police Department is reminding parents to teach kids gun safety. In a Facebook post, the department states, “Whether you are a gun owner or not, you need to educate yourself and your family about gun safety. If your child sees a gun while visiting someone's home or in their vehicle this summer, do they know what to do? If they ask you, do you know what to tell them?” The Matthews Police Department is a Project ChildSafe partner and distributes their free safety kits, which include a cable-style gun lock and safety instructions. If you’re not a gun owner, but need help talking to your kids about gun safety, Project ChildSafe also has plenty of resources to get the conversation going.

One Good Thing: Meet the neighbors of Crestdale and learn a little of the area’s history firsthand this Saturday, June 15. The Crestdale community will be hosting Crestdale Day at the United House of Prayer for All People. Stop by between 11 am and 2 pm for some great conversation and neighborly fun.