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Smithfield adopts FY2025'026 budget, capital plan, tax rates and new water and sewer rates
Summary
Council adopted the fiscal year 2025'026 operating budget and five-year CIP, kept tax rates unchanged, approved water and sewer rate increases and voted to join the Local Choice health benefits program.
The Smithfield Town Council adopted the fiscal year 2025'026 operating budget, the five-year capital improvements plan and related ordinances and resolutions at its June 3 meeting.
Council also approved an ordinance that maintains current tax rates for the 2025 calendar year and adopted new water and sewer rates recommended by a recent rate study: water rates will increase to $8.50 per 1,000 gallons and sewer rates to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons. The council voted to join the Local Choice health benefits program to replace the town's prior carrier.
Town Manager Michael explained that one of the largest one-time budget items is the planned Loeber sports-complex maintenance facility. "One of the largest items this year that is a one-off is the money that's in there for Loeber sports complex maintenance facility," Michael said, adding the line item includes site work, stormwater and about 100 additional parking spaces in addition to the building, which explains the higher cost.
Council members confirmed there would be no tax rate increases in the adopted budget. The water and sewer increases were tied to a five-year capital and operations plan; staff said the increases reflect capital needs and maintenance costs identified in the rate study.
The motions to adopt the operating budget, capital improvements plan and related ordinances passed on roll-call votes. Council members recorded as voting yes on the budget and related measures included Councilman Brooks, Councilman Cutler, Councilman Bowman, Councilwoman Butler, Councilwoman Biebermeyer, Vice Mayor Harris and Mayor Michael G. Smith.
Why it matters: Adoption of the budget and water/sewer rate changes sets the town's spending plan and utility rates for the coming year. The decision to join Local Choice for health insurance was made after staff said the town's previous carrier sought a significantly larger premium increase.
Next steps: Staff will load the adopted appropriations into the town's financial system and implement the new water and sewer billing rates; the Local Choice health coverage will be renewed annually under the pool's terms.
