Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southern Pines adopts FY27 budget; tax rate unchanged, small waste and utility increases approved
Summary
The council adopted the FY27 budget (Ordinance 3188), keeping the town tax rate at 29¢ per $100 valuation, raising the municipal service district rate to 55¢, increasing the monthly sanitation fee by $1.25, and approving a 2% water/sewer rate increase for availability and capacity charges.
The Southern Pines Town Council adopted the FY2026‑27 budget and associated tax and fee structure on June 9, approving Ordinance 3188 and several related budget actions.
Finance staff presented a $34.1 million overall budget and highlighted capital projects including vehicle replacements, park lighting, and a library air‑handler replacement. Staff corrected the principal balance on the town hall debt to $6.8 million and explained the town’s policy of maintaining roughly a three‑month reserved fund balance; the current available fund balance projected at adoption was roughly $269,900.
Key rate decisions adopted by the council: • The general ad valorem tax rate remains at 29¢ per $100 of assessed value. • The municipal service district (MSD) tax rate is set at 55¢ per $100 of assessed value, reflecting a substantial increase in MSD assessed value (driven by new development including the Overlook apartments) and a decision to begin modest set‑asides for eventual parkway repaving costs. • The residential waste fee will rise $1.25 per month (to $26.50); optional curbside recycling will increase $0.50 per month (to $10.50) if a resident opts in. • Water and sewer availability and capacity charges for the typical 5,000‑gallon customer will increase by 2%, adding roughly $32 annually for an average user.
Council discussed the modest available fund balance and asked staff to monitor budget variances and bring mid‑year reports as needed. The budget passed on a council vote and the related consent agenda items passed as well.
