City releases FY 2025–26 proposed budget; property tax rate held at 39.54¢

City officials on Monday presented Greenville’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, a plan that keeps the property tax rate at 39.54¢ and would fund pay increases, public safety hires, pavement management, and early steps in an affordable‑housing strategy.

The budget presentation was an informational item; formal adoption is scheduled after a public hearing in June.

Key points - Property tax: Proposed rate remains 39.54¢ (city staff noted this is low relative to peer cities cited in the presentation). - Total budget: The consolidated budget including GUC, the Convention & Visitor Authority and the library totals roughly $502.5 million; the city operating budget is about $183.4 million and the general fund $118.9 million. - Personnel and pay: The proposal funds an average 4 percent general wage increase for city employees and increases the city 401(k) contribution from 3% to 4% of pay; it also increases pension/benefit contributions. - Public safety: The budget includes six additional fire/EMS positions (to expand EMS coverage) and requests eight new police positions tied to a federal COPS grant that would fund 75% of those hires for three years; council discussed retention payments tied to years of service for both police and fire. - Capital and operations: The budget funds $3.1 million for pavement management, $3.0 million for vehicle replacement, $1.2 million for facility improvements, $400,000 for IT…