Mooresville adopts FY27 budget with no property tax increase; raises user fees, adds public-safety positions

The Mooresville Board of Commissioners on June 1 approved the manager’s recommended FY27 budget, maintaining the town’s property tax rate and adding staff and operational funding for public safety and utilities. Town Manager Tracy Jerome told the board the proposal continued a long run without a tax increase and reflected recent county valuation adjustments.

Tracy Jerome, the town manager, said the budget proposes the property tax rate remain unchanged and includes a revised contingency fund after a late $33,771 valuation shortfall. "This is the 19th consecutive year with no recommended tax increase," Jerome said during the hearing, adding the adjusted contingency will total about $449,734.

Why it matters: The budget increases several service fees and funds new positions that the town says are needed to support growth. To make the solid-waste fund self-sufficient, staff recommended a fee increase; officials said that change will return roughly $1.66 million to the general fund previously used to subsidize refuse service. The budget also proposes indexed annual adjustments to solid-waste and stormwater fees based on the consumer price index with a 0–4% band.

Key components and changes include an assumed 3% sales-tax growth projection, water and sewer rate increases timed for January 1, and one-time and recurring investments for capital and operating needs. The manager’s presentation outlined 28 new benefited positions across the organization (19 in the general fund and nine in utilities), including nine public-safety-related hires: four police officers, three firefighters and two E-911 positions. The plan also contains new benefits such as a four-week caregiver leave aligned with FMLA.

Board action and next steps: Commissioner West moved to adopt the budget; Commissioner Owens seconded. The board voted to adopt the ordinance during the meeting record. The roll call in the meeting was announced as assent ('I'); the record did not include an explicit numerical tally for the final vote. Staff said periodic budget amendments may follow as projects such as phased capital work are refined.

Questions and concerns raised: Public commenters used the budget hearing to press the board on prior contracts, consultant spending, downtown projects such as the proposed parking deck, and whether long-term reliance on rising sales taxes is sustainable. Several commissioners said they supported the budget but warned the town must monitor revenue assumptions and debt service in coming years.

What’s next: With the ordinance adopted, staff will implement the FY27 financial plan and return to the board with any recommended budget amendments or requests for capital-phase funding as projects advance.