Transparency is key to a healthy government, and the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen is working on the budgeting process as transparently as possible.

The board is holding public work sessions where budget items are discussed openly. The public can attend any of these meetings to see exactly how their government works — and how their tax dollars will be spent.

It doesn’t always happen this way. Too often, governments rubber stamp budgets that have been created and debated outside of the public eye. That’s a disservice to taxpayers.

We offer a sincere “thanks” to Brookhaven officials for working to be transparent during the budgeting process. You may not agree with a budgeting decision, but you will at least have the opportunity to hear how that decision came to be.

During the city’s official budget hearing, you will have a chance to address the board with any concerns about the next year’s budget. But by then, most of the budgeting work will be done.

We encourage all residents to attend a budget work session, a regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting or the upcoming budget hearing. It’s the best way to see what your government is — or isn’t — doing for you.