Conway council gives first reading to proposed $109 million FY2025–26 budget after public hearing

The Conway City Council on May 19 held a public hearing and gave first reading to the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 municipal budget, which city staff said totals about $109,000,000 and represents a roughly 27% increase from the current year.

City staff member Miss Williams presented the budget as the council opened the hearing. Miss Williams said the increase reflected roughly $9,000,000 of rebudgeted projects not yet complete and about $7,500,000 of the city’s share of the SCDOT 701 Wyoming project. The presentation included proposed employee compensation changes — a 3% cost-of-living increase for qualifying employees and selected $5,000 salary boosts for qualifying employees — an increase in Christmas bonuses to $1,000 for full-time staff, 23 proposed new…