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Council previews 2026 budget ordinances covering general fund, taxes and utility fees
Summary
Staff presented five linked ordinances for the 2026 fiscal/calendar year budget—general fund adoption, property tax levy, water service charges, wastewater fees and sanitation fees—and noted prior study-session discussion and limited changes.
City staff previewed five interrelated ordinances that together implement the City of North Augusta’s 2026 general fund budget, property tax levy and utility fee schedules during the Oct. 13 study session.
Administrator Jim Clifford told council that ordinances 2025-21 through 2025-25 cover: adopting the general fund budget (2025-21); levying property taxes (2025-22); establishing water service charge rates (2025-23); establishing wastewater fees (2025-24); and setting sanitation (trash) service fees (2025-25). Clifford said the budget presented for council consideration is the same as the draft shown at an earlier study session except for an administrative change requested by a council member to clarify a miscellaneous revenue heading to better reflect revenues from events.
Staff noted that council had not provided a quorum of guidance to change the budget beyond that administrative amendment. Linda Williamson, finance director, was available to answer budget questions and reminded the council that a budget hearing is scheduled for the next Monday, when the public may comment on the proposed budget. Clifford said the city would proceed with formal readings and that council members should expect the ordinances to be presented for adoption in the coming week.
The previewed ordinances together establish both the fiscal plan and the city's revenue and user-fee charges for calendar/fiscal year 2026. Staff emphasized that the budget hearing next week is the public opportunity for comment prior to final readings.
