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Selma adopts FY2025–26 budget, keeps tax rate at $0.60; council approves staffing increases and fee schedule
Summary
Council adopted the FY2025–26 budget, kept the property tax rate at $0.60, approved a fee schedule and added multiple staff positions including public-safety and public-works roles; public commenters raised concerns about tax impacts after revaluation.
The Town Council adopted the FY2025–26 budget on June 25, retained the town property-tax rate at $0.60 per $100 of assessed value, approved an updated fee schedule and added several personnel positions to address public-safety and infrastructure needs.
During budget discussion staff said the proposal reflected rapid town growth and the need to fill longstanding staffing gaps and to add capacity. Council, staff and public commenters discussed specific personnel additions mentioned during the meeting: the manager's presentation and public comments referenced increases that include multiple police officers (an extra officer on each shift), additional fire personnel (supporting a proposed station across the tracks), code enforcement and public-works positions, and a permanent finance director. Staff described two public-facilities and grounds positions, a senior maintenance worker position and a full-time code-enforcement officer among the proposed hires.
Several residents spoke during the budget discussion and public comment, expressing concern about tax-bill increases after the townwide revaluation. Longtime resident Al Gaskell and others asked about the number of new positions and the effect on recurring payroll; a speaker later calculated personal tax increases under the revaluation scenario and urged caution. Council members and staff responded that the town has experienced significant commercial growth and deferred maintenance and that additional staff are needed to maintain public safety, infrastructure and service levels; council acknowledged concerns about taxpayer impacts.
Council adopted the proposed budget after discussion, with a stated removal of a separate 1% capital-rate increase that had been under consideration. The council separately adopted the associated budget ordinance and fee schedule to put fee changes on the record. Staff said they will proceed with advertised public notices and implementation steps and flagged upcoming special meetings on June 23 and June 27 for additional items (a proclamation and code-enforcement discussion, respectively).
