Before Clayton leaders raise property taxes, they might want to hear what taxpayers have to say about helping finance some expensive projects.

According to a financial consultant, the town might have to raise the property-tax rate 6.59 cents from 2009 to 2011 if it wants a $3 million fire station, a $1.4 million fire-training center, a $1.2 million ladder truck for the fire department and a $6.2 million law-enforcement center.

Clayton’s tremendous growth probably warrants some upgrades to the fire and police departments. As the population continues to climb, it only makes sense for the town to add a third fire station, for example.

But when it comes to almost $12 million in costs, the Clayton Town Council might not want to make such decisions on its own.

In May, voters will decide whether to borrow $7 million for street repairs and recreation. Putting a bond vote on the ballot is the ideal way for a local government to meet its needs. Or rather, it’s the ideal way for taxpayers to decide if they want to pay for what town leaders have determined to be pressing needs.

Whenever possible, local residents should be the ones to decide when and how much their government borrows to make their town better.

That’s not to say that Clayton leaders wouldn’t make good decisions for the town — its growth and financial stability have proven that the mayor and council members are being smart.

But as Clayton inevitably continues to change, it might be the town residents who should have a say about multi-million-dollar fire stations and law-enforcement centers.

We have faith that voters there are in tune enough to effectively decide what’s worth paying for. If town leaders’ newest project ideas have the community’s support, taxpayers might not mind paying another 7 cents or so in property taxes.