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Garner council adopts $87.4 million FY2026 budget; operating plan passes 3-2 after debate over housing position
Summary
The Town of Garner adopted its FY2026 operating budget of $87,423,587 with no property tax rate increase. The council also approved the capital projects ordinance and a revised fee schedule. A proposed $100,000 allocation to add an affordable-housing/community-neighborhood manager failed in a separate vote.
The Town of Garner town council adopted its fiscal year 2026 operating budget on June 17, approving a $87,423,587 spending plan and maintaining the town's tax rate at 52 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The budget vote followed extended discussion among council members about setting aside funds for housing and infrastructure. The operating budget ordinance passed on a 3-2 roll-call vote. Council members Buddy Gupton (mayor) and Budget Director Sarah Warren presented the plan during the meeting.
The budget keeps the current tax rate and allocates 43.5 cents of that rate to town operations and 8.5 cents to debt service. Budget Director Sarah Warren told the council, “the total recommended budget is 87,400,000...that’s an increase of just about 9,900,000 over the FY ’25 amended budget.” She also said the town expects to finish the prior fiscal year with a surplus and noted the town’s fund balance stood at about 43.7% at the end of FY2024, above the town’s 30% target and 25% policy minimum.
Council members debated a separate motion to add $100,000 and one full-time employee to focus on affordable housing and neighborhood preservation. That amendment, moved by Councilmember Singleton and seconded by Councilmember Dellinger, failed in a roll-call vote (3 nays, 2 ayes). Afterward the original operating budget motion — as presented — was approved (Aye: Matthews, Behringer, Vance; No: Singleton, Dellinger).
Council also approved the capital projects ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-53-41) and the FY2026 fee schedule in separate roll-call votes. The capital projects ordinance passed 3-2 with the same split as the operating budget vote; the fee schedule passed unanimously.
Council and staff cited priorities reflected in the budget that include starting operations for Yergan Park, continuing the fire–rescue consolidation work, and maintaining a sizeable fund balance as a cushion against future uncertainty. Staff reminded the council that sales tax and other state-disbursed revenues still post after June 30 and that year-end fund-balance estimates remain subject to those receipts.
The council and staff flagged next steps including execution of any new personnel hiring approved in the budget, finalizing capital project schedules and contract work, and continued public communications about service and tax implications.
Votes at a glance: operating budget ordinance (2025-53-40) — approved 3–2 (Matthews, Behringer, Vance = yes; Singleton, Dellinger = no). Capital projects ordinance (2025-53-41) — approved 3–2. FY2026 fee schedule — approved unanimously.
The council adjourned after completing the budget votes and several routine reports.
