Blowing Rock proposes flat property tax rate for 2025-26, plans to use fund balance and raise water rates 7%

Blowing Rock officials presented a proposed fiscal 2025‑26 budget on Tuesday that would keep the property tax rate unchanged, use a modest portion of the townfund balance to balance the general fund, include a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and would raise water and sewer rates by 7% to cover meter debt and other capital needs.

Shane, the staff presenter, told the Town Council that the draft budget as presented proposes no property tax increase and would use roughly $194,000 of fund balance to balance the general fund. "No proposed property tax increases for this year's budget," Shane said. "We are proposing to utilize some fund balance to balance the budget." He described the budget as "priority based" and said staff aimed to preserve service levels while planning for future capital and debt trends.

The proposal assumes a 2.5% COLA for full‑time employees and continued employer benefits, including a 5% 401(k) match and existing…