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Hope Mills commissioners schedule workshops after debating deep cuts in $22.5M proposed budget
Summary
At a May 18 budget workshop the Town of Hope Mills board reviewed department cuts, discussed shifting positions into enterprise funds, and set a June 1 workshop and June 8 public hearing after members and residents pressed for clarity on contracts and potential tax changes.
The Town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on May 18 dug into the manager’s proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget, reviewed department requests and agreed to continue talks after public opposition to tax increases.
Mayor Jesse Bellflower opened the budget workshop by noting the proposed operating budget is $22,500,000 and that the board had already cut roughly $2,000,000 from departmental requests down to a much smaller amount in order to present a balanced document. “$2,000,000 in requests from our departments is 10¢ of tax,” the chancellor told the board, saying the original requests had been pared back to make the budget balance.
Residents who spoke during the public comment period urged the commissioners not to raise property taxes. John Martinson told the board he had experienced a large property tax increase and urged a return to two‑year board terms and the immediate removal of the town manager; the board did not act on that request during the meeting.
On departmental detail, staff and commissioners discussed several recurring pressure points: public works vehicle and equipment maintenance (the town maintains roughly 150 vehicles and about 180 pieces of equipment), street and paving backlogs with past studies estimating millions to bring roads up to standard, and parks and recreation contracts and program costs. Public Works Director Don explained some position costs were shifted into enterprise funds (power bill and stormwater) to protect the general fund, while Parks & Rec Director Lamarco outlined cuts to training and programming and a department request to lease additional gym space at the TJ Robinson Center. Department requests and manager recommendations differed on several line items; for example, the department proposed $50,000 for a lease but the manager’s recommended amount was listed at $7,400 in a separate line.
The board agreed to a schedule of follow‑up meetings: a June 1 budget workshop at 6 p.m. to comb through contracts and position requests, a special public hearing on June 8 at 7 p.m., and possible adoption during the regular meeting on June 15 if the board is prepared. The mayor said staff will supply more detailed contract and position information before the June 1 meeting.
No formal tax rate was adopted at the workshop. Commissioners emphasized that further analysis of contracts, fleet costs and personnel classifications is needed before any decision on revenue or rate changes.
What’s next: The board will reconvene June 1 to review contracts and positions and hold a public hearing on June 8; a budget adoption vote could occur at the regular June 15 meeting or at a subsequent special meeting if more time is needed.
