Newberry adopts tentative 2025–26 budget; proposes utility rate increases to fund major capital projects

The City of Newberry Commission on Sept. 8 adopted a tentative fiscal year 2025–26 millage and budget and included proposed utility rate increases as part of a $75.1 million tentative budget package. City officials framed the package as a balanced plan to fund major capital projects while keeping the proposed millage lower than last year. City Manager (name not specified) presented the budget and said, “This budget is balanced. It lowers the property tax rate from last year,” while outlining a series of large projects the commission intends to fund. Assistant City Manager and CFO Dallas Lee told commissioners the tentative millage rate is 5.88 mills, “which is 3.16% more than the rolled back rate 5.6995 mills.” The nut graph: The tentative budget allocates money for a multi‑million dollar wastewater treatment plant expansion and other infrastructure while proposing modest rate increases for utility customers; commissioners adopted the required tentative millage and appropriation resolutions and set a final public…