Leland council adopts $48 million FY2025-26 general fund budget; approves related budget actions

The Leland Town Council on April 17 adopted Budget Ordinance B025-001, approving $48,000,000 in appropriations for the town's FY2025-26 general fund while keeping the property tax rate at 27 cents per $100 of valuation and the municipal vehicle tax fee at $30 per vehicle.

The vote followed a presentation by finance staff member Carly, who told the council, "I'm excited to present to you budget ordinance 25 dash 0 0 1, which makes $48,000,000 in appropriations of revenue and expenses for the general fund. It keeps the tax rate at the current 27¢ per 100 in valuation, and keeps the municipal vehicle tax fee at $30 per vehicle." Council members moved and seconded the ordinance and adopted it by voice vote. Individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The ordinance sets the town's central operating plan for the coming fiscal year and preserves the current property tax rate and vehicle fee. Council also approved a group of five supplemental budget action items associated with the ordinance by a single motion and voice vote, a standard procedural step to implement adjustments and allocations tied to the budget.

Most important facts: The ordinance appropriates $48,000,000 for the general fund; the council kept the tax rate at 27¢ per $100 valuation and retained the $30 municipal vehicle fee. Council adopted the five FY25-26 budget action items as a package in a separate motion.

Supporting details and procedural votes: Earlier in the meeting council approved the agenda as amended and later approved the consent agenda; both were recorded as voice votes with the motions carrying. The council also voted to enter a closed session to consult with the town attorney under North Carolina law; the meeting returned from closed session with no action taken. The meeting concluded with a voice-vote motion to adjourn. The transcript does not show roll-call vote tallies for these procedural items.

Council discussion at the time of the budget presentation was brief; no amendments to the ordinance were recorded. Town staff thanked council members for their work on the budget and noted the timing of related budget action items had been provided to council members in advance.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript) - Motion: Adopt Budget Ordinance B025-001 (FY2025-26 general fund). Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Notes: ordinance appropriates $48,000,000; tax rate remains 27¢ per $100 valuation; municipal vehicle fee $30 per vehicle; no roll-call recorded. - Motion: Adopt FY25-26 budget action items (5 items, supplemental to ordinance). Mover/second: not specified. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Notes: adopted as a package. - Motion: Approve agenda as amended. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion: Approve consent agenda. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion: Enter closed session to consult with town attorney (General Statute subsection cited in meeting). Outcome: approved; closed session held; transcript records no action taken on return. - Motion: Adjourn. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

What the record does not show: Individual council vote tallies or names attached to voice votes on the budget and other procedural motions; no amendments to the budget ordinance were recorded during the meeting.

Looking ahead: The council set the next regular meeting for May 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for any follow-up items.