Leland staff outline $50 million FY 2026–27 proposal; residents press for line‑item justifications and flood‑response gear

Town of Leland staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget at a public question‑and‑answer forum, outlining a $50,000,000 plan with $46,000,000 in proposed general‑fund revenue and a proposed tax‑rate reduction from $0.27 to $0.25.

Carly, a town staff presenter, said the budget would spend roughly 40% on public safety and includes the purchase of seven fully equipped patrol vehicles, a Sable UAS drone, replacement vehicles for fire leadership, a new swift‑water rescue boat and trailer and $2.5 million for road resurfacing. The package would add 10 positions across departments, with most new hires in public safety and maintenance, and a $750,000 emergency contingency.

The forum drew repeated questions from residents asking for clearer justifications for specific line items. ‘‘You told us the templates are there, but they’re not intuitive,’’ one resident said, asking that the town present the purpose for each general‑ledger line item in a more accessible way. Councilman Pendleton pressed staff to provide written ‘‘justifications’’ rather than oral explanations, and suggested drop‑down or linkable descriptions on the budget page.

Staff replied that the town uses a form of 0‑based budgeting in department reviews—starting templates blank and justifying items in discussion— and that supplemental templates and general‑ledger detail are available on the budget page. ‘‘We can provide more description at council’s direction,’’ the presenter said, noting the town is transitioning its website and that staff had added detail to templates after earlier meetings.

Residents also questioned several headline figures. One resident challenged the town’s estimate of $80,000 per police vehicle; Carly and other staff said the figure reflects a fully equipped patrol vehicle (explainable costs include radios, mobile data terminals and emergency equipment) and noted rising market prices for apparatus and vehicles. Another resident asked why the town was budgeting $125,000 for a swift‑water rescue boat and related equipment when county resources exist; a fire‑services representative said county teams can be committed elsewhere during regional flooding and that lighter, dual‑motor boats give the town redundancy and faster neighborhood response.

Other contested items included training, travel and dues—one resident compiled roughly $470,000 in travel/education/dues across departments—and the addition of two grounds‑maintenance positions intended to expand trash pickup and staff Founders Park. Staff said some training and certification costs are job‑specific and required (police/fire certifications, for example); they also said the two grounds positions would be split among crews and would not require new trucks or supervisors, but residents urged the town to evaluate subcontracting as a lower‑cost alternative.

Staff confirmed three town‑owned unpaved roads—Graham/Appleton (grouped), John Snead (off Old Fayetteville Road) and Bremen (off Landville)—are in the design phase for a paving project funded by a roughly $3,000,000 federal appropriation; design is expected in summer with permitting in the fall.

The forum closed with staff reiterating that council can direct deeper reviews or line‑by‑line justifications if it wishes, while cautioning that significant further cuts would require reductions in services or reserves. The council scheduled the formal budget public hearing for March 19 and the regular council meeting to consider the FY 2026–27 budget for April 19. The council approved the meeting agenda at the start and adjourned by voice vote at the end.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the meeting agenda by voice vote early in the session and later approved a motion to adjourn by voice vote; no recorded roll call tallies were presented.