Mount Holly proposes $42.37 million budget; public hearing set for June 9

City Manager Blanton presented the Mount Holly City Council with a proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget of $42,369,691 during a May 19 work session and said the council will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 7 p.m. Monday, June 9, in council chambers.

The budget message, delivered by Blanton and assisted by Finance Director Michelle Wood, proposes a balanced plan that directs fund balance to capital projects, adopts targeted employee pay adjustments, and continues investments in water and sewer infrastructure while keeping the property tax rate unchanged at 40.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Blanton said the recommended budget is balanced at $42,369,691 and that the general fund totals $25,216,517. He listed major priorities as (1) finalizing large-scale capital projects already underway, (2) recalibrating employee benefits and compensation to retain staff, and (3) funding new quality-of-life improvements such as public-safety camera upgrades and public art.

The proposed budget uses a limited portion of fund balance for capital spending: $776,745 from the general fund and $727,297 from the water and sewer fund as allocations to capital rather than ongoing operations. Blanton said the water and sewer fund allocation represents an "86.6% decrease from the prior fiscal year"…