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Wesley Chapel council raises tax rate, taps reserves to balance 2024-25 budget
Summary
After public comment and debate over roads, stormwater and sheriff coverage, the Village of Wesley Chapel approved a tax-rate increase to 0.0165 and a $91,940.98 fund-balance withdrawal to cover the gap in the FY2024‑25 budget. Several smaller motions were also approved unanimously.
WESLEY CHAPEL, N.C. — The Village of Wesley Chapel’s council voted unanimously on June 10 to raise the municipal property-tax rate for fiscal year 2024–25 to 0.0165 and to withdraw $91,940.98 from the village’s fund balance to close a budget gap.
Mayor Deb Fuller, speaking before the vote, said the council’s priorities were improving roads and stormwater infrastructure, fulfilling operational needs and preserving financial stewardship. “Our unassigned fund balance is $1,666,235,” Fuller said, adding that council must weigh one-time investments against recurring expenses.
The decision followed a public hearing in which residents offered mixed views. Jim Hill, who identified himself and urged attention to stormwater needs, told the council he supported increased spending for stormwater projects but urged careful use of reserves. “I do agree with all of the increase … especially any related to storm water,” Hill said.
Several residents argued in favor of a modest tax increase to fund roadwork and additional law‑enforcement presence. Gordon Oliver, speaking as an HOA president, said he and his wife would support a tax increase “to help Wesley Chapel with desperately needed road improvements” and to provide one or two additional deputies.
Council discussion focused on trade-offs between conserving the village’s reserves for large capital projects — including a planned dam repair and possible roundabouts — and raising revenue now to cover higher operating costs, including increased deputy contract costs and rising insurance and maintenance expenses. Some council members proposed using more of the fund balance to avoid raising taxes immediately; others said residents are more likely to accept a small, clearly justified increase.
Ultimately the council voted to increase the tax rate by 0.0036 (raising it to 0.0165) and to move $91,940.98 from the fund balance to cover the remaining shortfall for the proposed 2024–25 budget. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Votes at a glance • Tax rate increase and fund-balance transfer — Approved unanimously. Motion: increase tax rate to 0.0165 for FY2024‑25 and transfer $91,940.98 from fund balance to cover the deficit (motion introduced at the June 10 meeting). • Parks materials transfer — Approved unanimously. Motion: reallocate $5,000 to Parks materials and supplies to allow maintenance work to start. • Heritage subdivision Phase 11 final plat — Approved unanimously (conditional items discussed earlier in planning board review). • Movie-night vendor and Community Conversations quarterly events — Approved unanimously as items of community engagement and outreach.
What happens next The budget will be adopted for the upcoming fiscal year with the new tax rate and the reserve draw reflected in the village’s financial plan. Council members and staff said they expect further discussions on capital projects, FEMA grant outcomes for the dam repair, and results of an upcoming stormwater study; staff also plans public outreach on specific projects tied to the budget increase.
Reporting note: Direct quotes and attributions in this article come from the village meeting transcript and the council’s public hearing on June 10; all named speakers and roles are drawn from statements or introductions that appear in the transcript.
