Clarksburg staff present 2026–27 budget proposal, public hearing set for March 19
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Summary
City staff unveiled a draft 2026–27 budget and five‑year capital plan that keeps modest reserves while proposing new line items for rental registration, code enforcement and several capital purchases; council set a March 19 public hearing and flagged questions on revenue assumptions and use of the sales‑and‑use tax fund.
Clarksburg City Council heard a detailed presentation of the city’s draft 2026–27 budget at a March 9 workshop, with staff projecting general fund reserves of just over $1 million and a rainy‑day balance of about $1.33 million. The council set a public hearing and vote on the proposed budget for March 19 and directed staff to submit the finalized document to the local government division on March 20.
The budget overview, delivered by staff presenter (speaker 5), covered current fund balances, expected revenues and a capital plan that includes vehicles, playground equipment and a salt storage expansion. “Our current fund balances in our general fund is just over $1,000,000,” the presenter said, and noted the city has budgeted a $75,000 Walmart grant match and plans to roll over several capital balances to the 2026 fiscal year.
Staff also summarized projected revenues and timing: property tax remittances to Harrison County are due March 31 and first‑quarter taxes are due April 30. Sales and use tax collections were reported at roughly $43.8 million cumulatively through January 31, 2026, averaging about $1.25 million per quarter; staff said those receipts support infrastructure, economic development and the Robeson Grand performing arts center.
The draft proposes a tiered cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and flags a reduction in the city’s retirement contribution for some employees (a reported drop from 9% to 8% for eligible employees). The police pension is currently reported at 61.7% funded and the fire pension at 50.6% under current actuarial estimates; staff said those plans are expected to reach full funding in the 2040s.
New or expanded line items noted in the draft include a rental‑registration revenue line and an offsetting code‑enforcement officer position (and vehicle), a fire service cost‑recovery fund established by ordinance on March 21, 2024, and continued funding for Robeson Grand goals including marketing and audio upgrades. Staff said the rental registration revenue estimate ($50,000 in inspection fees) assumes the ordinance passes and could be conservative.
Council members pressed staff on several items during the workshop: whether building permit revenue will reach the proposed $200,000 (staff said large projects are expected in spring); the realism of an $800,000 paving estimate; and timing of hotel/motel and utility tax receipts. On IT, staff proposed upgrades to servers, phones and endpoint protection for roughly 180 devices and said they are seeking grants for capital costs.
Next steps: the council will hold a public hearing on March 19 and consider adoption after that hearing. Staff committed to circulating written answers to outstanding line‑item questions before the vote.
