City staff presents proposed FY 2025–26 budget with tax rate unchanged, reserves at policy target

City staff presented the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget to the Greenville City Council on Aug. 12, saying the proposal keeps the city—s property tax rate unchanged while maintaining the general fund reserve at about 17% of annual expenses. The presentation matters because the proposed budget sets staffing levels, capital spending and utility rates that will affect city services, reserves and future debt decisions. According to the staff presentation, the budget keeps the proposed tax rate at the current level; the general fund—s projected fund balance at year-end would be about $7.02 million, which staff said equals the city—s 17% policy target for reserves. Staff described the city—s fund-balance policy as a 15% to 20% target and said the proposed numbers meet that standard. Sales-tax growth for the coming year was forecast at about 6% over projected receipts, producing an overall increase of roughly 8.24% compared with last year—s adopted budget, the presenter said. Net taxable property value growth was reported at 4.68% and the city—s "new…