On Tuesday, Stonington voters will decide whether to approve the $61 million town budget for 2015-16. As taxpayers, voters and Republicans, we are voting “yes” because it is a good budget.

Members of Stonington’s various boards and commissions have followed a bipartisan process that reduced the contention and animosity that characterized prior budget debates. The boards of education, finance and selectmen were unanimous in supporting the budget that includes over $35 million for education alone. It passed at town meeting without statements or a vote in opposition. School Superintendent Van Riley called the process “professional and positive.” We agree.

The budget contains funding for a director of planning, a critical position that has been vacant and unfunded for the past several years. This must end. Our economy has been slow, the grand list is flat, and homeowners are struggling to pay their bills. Stonington needs to plan its economic future while preserving its special character. A planner can help manage this critical role for the future. With a yes vote, Stonington can hire the best director of planning it can afford.

The proposed budget includes funding for a grant writer who can help us find and secure state and federal dollars to fund our many programs. Grant Writers pay for themselves many times over. Over the past year, grant dollars from the state and federal governments fell by over $261,000. At an average salary of $42,000, a skilled grant writer can bring in millions. The money is there. We need to go after it and reverse the trend of declining grants.

Finally, during last winter’s blizzard Stonington learned that some of its Highway Department trucks were not up to the task, so much so that we had to call in the National Guard. The proposed budget funds additional equipment with a creative leasing program to save taxpayer dollars.

Stonington Republicans take seriously their responsibilities for promoting sound public policy. Our advocacy for this budget is carefully considered and based upon solid fundamentals of municipal finance. Thanks to the Board of Finance, our bond rating is AA1, which will give us a very favorable interest rate for any money we seek to borrow. Because of the bipartisan attitude of many town officials, we have reached a sensible compromise that is good for our future.

Please join us in voting “yes” on Tuesday.

Rob Simmons is a Stonington selectman. This commentary was endorsed by fellow Republicans Jim Kelley and Marty Booker.