Waxhaw adopts $26.47 million FY2026–27 operating budget, $5.97M CIP; board passes package of ordinances and agreements

The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners voted June 9 to adopt an alternate operating budget for fiscal year 2026–27 totaling $26.47 million and a capital improvement appropriation of $5,972,749 funded from capital reserves.

Town Manager Scott Dadson recommended the alternate budget with reductions, telling commissioners, "My recommendation as the manager is alt two," a package that trims about $511,000 from the proposed operating plan while keeping the town’s tax rate at $0.29 per $100 of assessed value. Dadson outlined drivers of higher costs including residential solid-waste service, fuel and electricity and described staffing included in the budget — 110 full‑time positions, 15 part‑time, and four new patrol officers — along with a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment and a 2% merit pool.

Why it matters: Adopting the alternate budget sets the town’s spending and priorities through June 30, 2027, funds near-term capital projects and preserves local reserves used to pay for planned road and signal work.

The board also approved the town’s capital improvement ordinance appropriating roughly $5.97 million from reserves for projects listed in the CIP, including several road, signal and intersection projects and right-of-way work. Finance staff said the CIP funding comes from reserves saved over recent years and noted planned transfers into reserves to maintain capital capacity.

Votes at a glance - Alternate operating budget (Option 2, $26.47M) — Motion by Commissioner Ferris; carried with no recorded opposition. (SEG 783–836) - Proposed operating budget ordinance 20260009 — Adopted as the ordinance implementing the alternate budget. (SEG 861–864) - Capital improvements budget ordinance (OD 202610) — Adopted to appropriate $5,972,749 from reserves; motion carried. (SEG 865–873) - Annual budget for FY2026–27 (as presented) — Adopted; motion carried. (SEG 876–883) - Merit strategy and performance alignment — Approved; the plan ties a 2% merit pool to board priorities and introduces calibration meetings. (SEG 884–967) - Zoning text amendment TA002 (2026) — Adopted (private streets, minor subdivisions, lot coverage rules). (SEG 969–1011) - Repeal of ordinance 2018009 (sections 90.19A and 10‑29 — animal licensing) — Adopted; staff said the change reduces town administrative burden and relies on county rabies control. (SEG 1012–1056) - Amendment to Board rules (Rule 32 public hearing practice) — Adopted to codify the practice of not acting immediately on items after a public hearing. (SEG 1057–1096) - Resolution 20206012 supporting local authority over planning and stormwater — Adopted; board directed clerk to forward to the town’s legislative delegation. (SEG 1097–1310) - Union County Library book drop unit agreement — Approved; the library association donated the unit and the town will install and maintain it. (SEG 1313–1431)

Board direction and next steps: Staff will continue work on implementation items tied to the adopted budget and the CIP, and will present additional details in follow-up reports. The draft personnel policy modernization remains under attorney review and is targeted for deeper review at a June 23 work session and adoption at the July 14 meeting.

Evidence: The budget presentation and motions begin in the meeting packet and on the record at the town manager’s presentation and end with recorded motions and votes by the board. (Topic coverage begins SEG 503 and concludes at SEG 883.)