Town Manager Dave Santucci and finance staff briefed the Smyrna Town Council on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget during an April workshop, laying out personnel requests, fee adjustments, capital plans and the town's long-term borrowing capacity.

"Our current population estimated is 60,115," Town Manager Dave Santucci said during the presentation, citing population and economic projections the administration used to shape the budget.

What the proposal contains: The draft budget recommends several new positions including six firefighter hires, two planning positions (one principal planner and a code inspector), an HR generalist and additional water-plant operators; total requested new positions amount to about $670,000 with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, to allow for recruitment. The town also proposed a $250,000 increase in pavement funding on top of a $1.75 million resurfacing plan to expand repaving and striping work.

Capital priorities and projects: Staff highlighted a $26.4 million capital program that includes Cedar Stone Park phase 2 ($5.5 million), the Sam Ridley/Old Nashville Highway intersection ($2.75 million), additional street repaving, a ladder truck purchase and continued ADA improvements. The administration said about 75% of capital spending goes to infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks and parks.

Fees and enterprise funds: The draft includes modest fee changes in utilities and building permits, small residential natural gas tap increases, and proposed water and wastewater fee adjustments tied to rising operations and personnel costs. Staff said natural gas revenue is expected to rise because of a new large industrial customer tapping onto the system.

Debt capacity and bond rating: Finance staff emphasized the town's strong fiscal position and AAA bond rating. They reported a long-term statutory debt limit estimate of approximately $317,000,000 and said current debt levels are well below that threshold. That standing, they said, helps keep borrowing costs low if the town elects to issue debt for major projects.

Tax rate and next steps: Finance Director Rex Gaither announced the proposed tax rate will remain at 52.57¢ per $100 of assessed value; "No tax increase," he said during the workshop. The council did not adopt the budget at the workshop; the item was set for formal consideration on the May agenda and staff said they expected to present a second reading in June.

What was not decided: No final votes were taken at the workshop; staff said revenue estimates remain conservative and that a mid-year adjustment could follow a pavement assessment and other updated data.