DOBSON — At an informational session this weekend, Dobson town commissioners heard from Ron Niland, owner of All-American Associates of Mount Airy Inc. about what the town might do in laying out the budget for 2010-11.

During the presentation, Niland told the commissioners there would be no need to raise taxes or fees unless the board wanted to take on any special projects during the upcoming fiscal year.

Acting town manager Paul Hensch, who is an employee of All-American Associates, said this is the first time the consulting firm will be preparing the town’s budget, which will be discussed in greater detail starting in April.

“We really just wanted to get a big picture on what their wants are prior to working on the budget,” Hensch said.

Hensch said the town does not need to raise taxes unless the board wants to raise more revenue for special projects.

Right now, residents of Dobson have free garbage collection, which Hensch said is paid for with property taxes. With around 500 residents, Niland suggested charging a $5 garbage collection fee that would bring in an additional $30,000 a year for the town.

The town now only charges for water and sewer fees, which are a minimum of $24 for residential service, which Hensch said is a “very reasonable rate.”

Niland suggested that if the town wished to raise more revenue for any special project, imposing the garbage fee instead of raising property taxes might be one way to accomplish that. Both are still just suggestions and no one on the board discussed either option or voted on the matter.

“You all have done a good job on your general fund, but you are going to have some pressures this year,” said Niland, without elaborating on what those pressures might be.

The town now only charges for water and sewer fees, which are a minimum of $24 for residential service, which Hensch said is a “very reasonable rate.”

Niland suggested collecting the garbage fee instead of raising property taxes. Both are still just suggestions and no one on the board discussed either option or voted on the matter.

One of items of discussion at the meeting was how to get more people to volunteer for the local fire department. Mayor Ricky Draughn is also the town’s fire chief. He said there are 27 trained firemen on the roster, but it is getting harder to find volunteers to respond to calls during the day because most people work.

Commissioner John Lawson agreed that the town perhaps needs to advertise about needing more volunteer firefighters. He asked Hensch if an advertisement could be placed on water bills.

“It’s hard to find people who want to give up that kind of time,” Draughn said.

During the meeting the board voted to replace one patrol car with 95,000 miles on it by spending $21,000 on a new Dodge Charger. Commissioner Gerri Martín made the motion to purchase the car, with Commissioner Lana Brendle seconding the motion.

The board also learned that the call volume for the Dobson Police Department is 12,000 calls for service per year, which is much higher than neighboring towns, such as Pilot Mountain and Elkin.

“One of the challenges is that while we have 1,500 residents, that number jumps to 8,000 during the day with the college and other employers,” said Hensch. He said Chief Shawn Myers wants the board to consider hiring another patrol officer.

Martín told commissioners that one change she would like to see is more advertisement on the interstate about what can be found by getting off at the Dobson exit.

“Last weekend as I was returning home from visiting my parents. I was driving up the interstate and I saw a sign advertising what is off Exit 92 at Jonesville, but there’s nothing advertising what’s on Exit 93.

Niland suggested that the board approach their local Tourism Development Authority about the matter.

“I want to advertise that the town of Dobson, is three miles off the exit. We need to let people know what’s off our exit,” said Martín. “That’s the biggest piece of our economic development puzzle.”

The board recessed after a closed session to discuss contract negotiations. No further action was taken before the board adjourned.