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Council approves water and sewer rate adjustments and boosts McGregor Hall contribution; FY26 budget adoption deferred
Summary
Council approved updated water and sewer rate adjustments and increased the annual contribution to McGregor Hall from $5,000 to $30,000, but Clerk's notes show the FY26 budget ordinance was not put to a final vote and will return to Council at a later meeting.
City staff presented components of the FY26 budget package on June 9, including finalized water and sewer rate adjustments that staff previously calculated after a period of interrupted billing tied to a cyberattack. Customer Service Manager Shay Bennett told Council that some customers received large back bills covering multiple months, and staff offered to work directly with affected residents to explain charges.
Councilmember Walker moved and the Council approved the water and sewer rate adjustments as presented. Finance Director Joey Fuqua confirmed funding flexibility from Reserves could cover mid-year changes and supported a motion by Councilmember Venable to raise the city’s annual contribution to McGregor Hall from $5,000 to $30,000; that motion passed unanimously.
However, the Clerk’s note attached to the meeting minutes states that the FY26 annual budget ordinance (CAF 25-45, Ordinance 25-16) was inadvertently not put to a final vote at this meeting and will be brought back to Council for a future vote. Staff and Council indicated some related adjustments could be revisited in September if necessary.
The City Manager also said the building code enforcement contract with the County will be extended through Aug. 31, 2025 while staff evaluate options, and that hiring outside inspectors may be necessary in the interim.
