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 full‑time positions, and a proposal to raise some fees (solid waste 5% and stormwater 9%). The administration also proposed a paperless utility billing option by January 2026 with a $2 paper-bill fee for customers who request printed bills.

The budget drew public comment. Resident David Conti told council he had written previously and remained concerned about the size of the budget and recent revenue changes; he said he opposed what he characterized as repeated increases in the city’s budget and staffing levels. “You’re going from $83,000,000 to over a hundred million dollars,” Conti said. “When do we slow down?”

Mayor (name not specified), responding during council discussion, and several council members framed the proposal as largely revenue‑neutral with increases tied to rebudgeting and the cost of living rather than a broad tax-rate spike. Council members asked staff for additional detail, and the mayor asked that the council receive more information about a separate request from the police chief on staffing before a final vote.

After discussion the council voted to approve first reading of the budget ordinance. The vote carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the first reading advances the budget process but is not the final approval. The numbers shown in the staff presentation will be the subject of follow‑up briefings, including a requested presentation on police staffing, and at least one more public hearing and second‑reading vote will be required before the budget becomes final.

Votes at a glance

- First reading of FY2025–26 budget ordinance — outcome: approved (first reading; unanimous vote). Ordinance number: not specified in discussion. Staff estimated the proposed comprehensive budget at approximately $109,000,000, driven in part by rebudgeted projects and a $7,500,000 city share of SCDOT 701 work.

- Rezoning request ZA2025-562b (Davidson Road & Highway 501) — outcome: denied (see separate agenda item). Vote: unanimous.

- Lease of city-owned floodplain lot at 214 (Brahe/McGraw Avenue) to adjacent homeowner (private lease) — outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Acceptance of low bid for Kingston Lake stormwater outflow upgrades (Pine Street) and authorization to negotiate with GeoWorks LLC, pending Rural Infrastructure Authority approval — outcome: approved (unanimous).