An Educational Fellowship Shares Clayton’s Story through Numbers
In Clayton, numbers show how resources support services and meet residents’ needs. Each figure in the budget provides insight into how departments operate and how programs are funded, creating a full picture of the Town’s priorities.
For Budget and Performance Fellow Laney Taylor, uncovering and sharing that knowledge through the budget is both her passion and her work, giving her a chance to explore new challenges, ask questions, and learn from experienced mentors.
“The budget may look like a spreadsheet, but each number helps illustrate Clayton’s story,” she said.
Her work also reflects the important role of finance professionals across Clayton. In recognition of National Finance and Accounting Professionals Week from September 22-26, the Town honors employees who help manage and oversee municipal resources. This year, attention includes the Budget Division, and the contributions Taylor is making through her fellowship.
She serves through AmeriCorps and Lead for North Carolina, a program that places emerging professionals in local governments across the state. The fellowship provides hands-on experience in municipal finance, strategic planning, and performance management. Fellows work with experienced mentors, gain exposure to multiple departments, and contribute to projects that improve how local governments operate.
“Working alongside experienced staff, I can develop my skills while supporting important Town initiatives,” said Taylor. “Recently, I helped present key dates and processes for the Town’s annual budget process. Thinking through these details with the overall goal in mind, an adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget, is exciting.”
Under the mentorship of Budget Manager Todd Melton, Taylor tracks budget progress, prepares reports, supports presentations, and works with different departments to translate complex financial information into clear, accessible insights.
“Laney asks insightful questions and brings energy to our work,” said Melton. “Her input gives us new ways to look at our processes, and her perspective helps the team approach challenges thoughtfully and creatively.”
Through her fellowship, Taylor, an MPA student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, can apply classroom learning to real-world situations while refining her skills in analyzing and presenting complex information.
“Opportunities like this fellowship are a unique way to see how local government works, contribute meaningfully, and prepare for a career in public service,” she said.
Taylor’s fellowship continues through June 2026.
