Aberdeen adopts $21.5 million budget, holds property tax rate at $0.42

The Aberdeen Town Board on May 27, 2025 approved the town’s Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget, adopting a $21,500,188 operating plan that keeps the property tax rate at $0.42 per $100 valuation and authorizes personnel and capital spending for the coming year.

Town Manager Paul Sabiston told the board the proposed budget includes General Fund expenditures of $15,542,164 and Water & Sewer expenditures of $5,958,024. Sabiston said the town provided a $2,500 employee retention bonus last year and completed capital work including the Sportsplex playground and walking trail and the Talbooth Street parking lot; renovation of the new library site is ongoing.

The budget preserves the current tax rate of $0.42 per $100 valuation; Sabiston said that rate was lowered from $0.49 in FY 2022–23 and held at $0.42 last year. He reported total property valuations increased about 5%, from $1,657,399,903 in 2024 to a projected $1,736,121,533 for 2025, which helps revenue projections.

On utility and service charges, Sabiston said residential garbage rates will rise $1.00 and commercial garbage $0.50 to match Moore County’s new rates. Water and sewer base monthly charges remain unchanged, but volume rates are increasing by roughly 6% overall (Sabiston said 5% of that reflects county-related increases and 1% is to fund town needs) to stabilize the water and sewer fund and support planned capital work.

The proposed personnel provisions included in the ordinance call for a 6% cost-of-living increase for staff and market pay adjustments for sworn law-enforcement positions; Sabiston also said the town is facing an estimated 15% increase in health-benefit costs for FY 2025–26.

The ordinance lists a series of capital spending items for the coming fiscal year, including cybersecurity investments for administration ($65,700); police vehicle leases and equipment ($171,000); a fire vehicle and equipment ($100,000); streets and Powell Bill projects ($40,000/$71,000); parks work including Lake Park trail and gazebo ($255,000); downtown sidewalk and lighting improvements ($125,000); building and grounds maintenance ($1,026,917); SCADA replacement and new-well engineering ($550,000); and water/sewer line replacements and modeling work ($400,000).

During brief questions from the board, Mayor Robert A. Farrell asked whether Lake Park paving and fountain work were included; Sabiston said funding is in the proposed budget and that staff will also bring a budget amendment using current-year dollars to help fund those projects. Commissioner Teressa V. Beavers asked what happens to replaced vehicles; Sabiston said they are typically reassigned to other departments. On a new well, Public Works Director Joe Wood said property has been identified and staff are preparing paperwork with a developer.

After the public hearing closed, Mayor Pro-tem Bryan Bowles moved and Commissioner Teressa V. Beavers seconded a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Budget Ordinance “as presented.” The motion was recorded as carried 5-0; the ordinance levies the $0.42 tax rate and sets water and sewer rate changes to take effect with the usage period beginning on or about June 10, 2025 (with the first corresponding billing on or about July 20, 2025). No individual vote names were recorded in the transcript beyond the motion and second.

The ordinance also adopts an updated Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025, (Attachment A) that details tiered water and sewer rates, a $1 residential garbage increase, a $3 convenience fee for debit/credit card payments, connection and inspection fees, and a range of planning, building and parks fees. Attachment B adopts the town’s salary grade schedule and pay-plan allocations effective July 1, 2025.

Commissioner Wilma Laney moved and Commissioner Elease Goodwin seconded a motion to adjourn; that motion carried 5-0. The budget ordinance took effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.