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New Bern aldermen close budget hearing as staff clarifies tax impact from $24M bond
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Summary
At an April 28 public hearing, city staff explained that voter approval of a $24 million bond referendum will automatically add about 2.75 cents to the property tax rate in FY27; staff also proposed a small rounding increase tied to balancing the proposed FY 2026–27 budget.
New Bern Mayor Ed Odom opened a public hearing on the proposed FY 2026–27 budget on April 28, and city staff explained how voter‑approved bond questions will affect the city’s property tax rate.
Jordan Hughes, speaking on the budget, said the $24 million bond referendum voters approved last October includes a $10 million street and sidewalk question, a $6 million stormwater question and an $8 million parks and recreation question. Hughes said the package will automatically produce a 2.75‑cent tax increase effective in FY27 and that staff was also proposing a minor rounding increase — “a quarter of a cent” — to move the current 39‑cent rate to approximately 42 cents to help balance the budget.
“Back in October, the voting citizens of New Bern approved a $24,000,000 bond referendum,” Hughes said. “That $24,000,000 bond project automatically brings a 2.75‑cent tax increase, which will be effective in FY27. The budget also includes a recommended one‑tenth of a cent to round up from 39¢ to a proposed 42¢ tax rate.”
Board members asked clarifying questions during the meeting. One alderman pressed staff to confirm that 2.75 cents came from the bond and that the additional quarter‑cent was a separate rounding action to balance the budget; Hughes confirmed both points.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing before the board closed the session. The board also noted a budget workshop scheduled for May 5 at the Stanley White Recreation Center where staff will continue discussion and offer another public comment opportunity. The hearing was closed and the board moved on to other agenda items.
What happens next: Staff will present additional budget detail at the May 5 workshop; any final tax rate or budget ordinance will return to the board for formal adoption as part of the FY27 budget process.
