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Fletcher presents near‑$10 million FY2025–26 budget with no proposed tax‑rate increase
Summary
Town staff proposed a FY2025–26 recommended budget of about $9.98 million that would hold the tax rate at 28¢ per $100 of assessed value, shift one penny from the CIP to operating to cover rising personnel and service costs, and add funding for contracted fire services and public‑safety technology.
The town presented a recommended FY2025–26 budget of about $9.98 million — just under $10 million — and said the figure could rise modestly after assessor valuation updates and insurance premium renewals.
The budget presenter told the town council the administration’s goal was to present a plan “without tax increase possible, which this one has no tax increase in this recommended version.” To balance near‑term operating needs, the presenter recommended moving one penny of the tax levy from the capital improvement plan (reducing CIP from 7¢ to 6¢) to the general/operating side.
Why it matters: shifting one penny to operating frees revenue for staff salaries, benefits and service contracts without raising the overall 28¢ levy, but reduces the town’s dedicated annual pay‑as‑you‑go capacity for capital projects. Presenter said the move still leaves an estimated CIP allocation of 6¢, producing roughly $1.13 million in levy revenue for FY2025–26 for capital and debt service.
Details and priorities: the recommended budget includes roughly $253,000 more than the current year, funding for COLA/merit adjustments, a new full‑time maintenance specialist in public works, and modest capital purchases such as a tire changer and mower. Presenter also recommended continuing a two‑camera police patrol rotation and approved funding to purchase four automated license‑plate readers and related subscription services.
Fire services and inspections: the budget keeps existing contracted payments for fire protection but adds a half‑cent request the Fletcher Fire and Rescue had sought. The presenter said the half‑cent would align the town’s payment closer to county rates and help address staffing and inspection needs. The town also reported county officials have proposed charging municipalities for fire inspections; county staff outlined two possible fee models — a flat fee by occupancy count (about $40,700 in the presenter’s estimate) or a square‑footage/category model that could exceed $60,000 for Fletcher. The presenter said Fletcher Fire could perform inspections for about $40,000 if the council approves the half‑cent and agrees to a contractual arrangement.
Fiscal guardrails and next steps: the town maintains a fund balance policy target of 45–65% of general fund expenditures. Presenter said the draft budget currently shows a modest draw from reserves (about $248,000 in the working numbers) but that final values will hinge on the assessor’s mid‑month valuation update and the town’s property/liability premium renewal. The draft budget and a budget message will be published for public comment no later than June 1; a public hearing is expected at the regular June meeting before adoption is considered.
The council recessed for a short break and later reconvened; the workshop adjourned following procedural motions. The presenter said staff will return with the final adjustments and documentation required for the public review period.
