Morehead City schedules June 9 public hearing on proposed $42.1 million 2026–27 budget

Morehead City will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 9, on a proposed $42.1 million budget for fiscal year 2026–27, a city staff member said.

The manager-recommended plan — which staff described as roughly a 3% decrease from the current fiscal year — would leave the general fund at nearly $30 million, the water and sewer fund at $10.8 million and the sanitation fund at $1.3 million. Staff said the package represents about a 17% reduction, roughly $8.5 million, from what department leadership initially requested.

A city staff member said, “you have one more chance to make your voice be heard on this project,” and invited residents to the regular council meeting where the council is anticipated to take action. Staff also said the tax rate is projected to remain the same (the transcript’s cents notation was unclear) but warned that rate could still change in the coming days.

Full details of the proposed budget are available at moreheadcitync.gov, and printed copies are available at Morehead City Hall, 1100 Bridges Street, during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The staff notice also named Miranda Alshshire as the winner of the city’s cover-art contest and noted the city held a budget-priorities pulse survey to collect resident input.

The council has until the end of June to adopt the budget; staff said a special council meeting could be called if members wish to act before that deadline. The June 9 meeting is the next scheduled opportunity for residents to comment and for the council to consider formal action.