Weddington council adopts revenue‑neutral FY2025–26 budget, sets tax rate at 3.5¢

WEDDINGTON — The Weddington Town Council voted unanimously on June 9 to adopt the town's FY2025–26 budget and set the tax rate at 3.5 cents, a change officials said is revenue‑neutral because it moves the previously separate solid‑waste fee into the tax rate.

Leslie, the town finance officer, told the council the proposed budget totals about $3.57 million and that the two biggest drivers were a Union County revaluation that increased the property tax base and a change in how solid‑waste billing is presented. "By rolling the trash into the tax rate, the total rate would be 3.5," Leslie said, adding that the approach preserves the town's share of state ad valorem allocations.

The presentation stressed that the reconfiguration is administrative: the town previously billed a separate annual solid‑waste fee (about $264 per household), and including that item in the tax rate avoids underbilling and administrative difficulties identifying residences that should or should not receive collection service. Leslie said the change also avoids creating a restricted solid‑waste reserve that can only pay for trash, which would reduce flexibility.

Council members pressed for clarity on whether residents would see a higher overall bill. Leslie and other staff repeatedly characterized the move as revenue‑neutral: "If you see 3.5, no, we're not jacking up taxes," she said.

On the expenditure side, the budget funds a full complement of five deputies (a roughly $155,000 increase year‑over‑year) and incorporates a 6% increase and three‑year extension in the negotiated solid‑waste contract. Staff also included funding for a proposed part‑time permit/ planning assistant.

The council voted to adopt the budget and set the tax rate as part of a single motion to approve the FY2025–26 budget ordinance and set the tax rate at 3.5 cents. The motion passed unanimously.