Easly City holds public hearing on proposed FY 2025–26 budget as residents press for transparency and recreation scholarships

Easly City held a public hearing in June 2025 on a proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget that city staff presented as a $36,103,008.43 spending plan, citing population growth, new code enforcement activity and capital needs.

The presentation, given by Ralph (city staff), outlined a proposed property tax change of three mills — from 72.5 to 75.5 — which the staff said would equal about a $24 annual increase on a $200,000 house. The draft budget includes a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for employees, funding for 14 new positions and capital purchases that staff said are driven by growth and equipment life cycles.

Why it matters: The package would increase the city’s operating budget by roughly $10.75 million versus the prior year in the figures presented at the hearing, and it would allocate money for first-responder staffing and major equipment that city officials said are needed for a growing municipality.

Ralph summarized central elements of the draft budget. He said the city is using prior ARPA transfers to shore up fund balance and noted staff recommendations for fee adjustments, including building-permit and…