Wendell holds public hearing on $58.6 million FY2025–26 budget; board approves bond resolution and brownfield task orders

The Wendell Town Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget at its May meeting and approved a resolution to issue general obligation bonds and two Brownfield task orders tied to local redevelopment projects.

Town Manager Tyler Collins, who serves as the town’s budget officer, presented the proposed all-funds total of $58,586,493 and described the proposal as a balanced budget prepared under state statute. “The total budget this year, $58,586,493,” Collins said during his presentation, and he told commissioners the plan maintains “a flat property tax” at 42¢ per $100 valuation.

The budget document includes a larger capital program and several new funds, Collins said, and proposes seven new positions that would increase full-time equivalents from 92 to 99. The presentation also showed a one‑year capital project list, a five‑year capital plan of about $121 million and a planned general obligation borrowing consistent with a voter-approved bond referendum. Collins said the budget appropriates loan proceeds for capital and recommends no new fund-balance appropriation for FY2026.

Why it matters: The proposed budget funds police…