Goldsboro manager unveils $103M proposed budget with no property tax increase; public hearing set for May 18

City Manager Mister Livingston and Finance Director Catherine Nguyen presented Goldsboro's manager-recommended FY2026-27 budget, a roughly $103 million spending plan that proposes no general property tax increase while allocating strategic reserves to priority capital projects and recommending targeted fee adjustments.

The recommended budget holds the property tax rate at the current 0.69 rate, includes a proposed 5% increase for utilities, and would add $4 per month to the residential garbage fee, staff said. The package uses assigned reserves to fund several capital items including a $2 million street-repaving allocation, vehicle replacements, and planned repairs to city facilities. The budget also budgets a 3% cost-of-living adjustment across pay scales, a 2% merit pool (effective in January), and one-time bonuses in the draft.

"This budget basically holds the line," Livingston said, emphasizing the council-directed prioritization of capital needs and strategic reserves; Finance Director Nguyen noted the plan reflects the recent capital improvement planning and the council's direction from workshops. Nguyen also outlined targeted fee adjustments intended to improve cost recovery in services such as solid waste and to adjust nonresident recreation fees.

Council set a public hearing on May 18 to solicit public comment and directed staff to be available for one-on-one briefings with members before the hearing. Staff said the draft budget will be published and that follow-up work sessions can be scheduled if council wants additional discussion before adoption.