Washington City Council reviews proposed budget; defers expansion funding pending Beaufort County tax rate

The Washington City Council reviewed a proposed municipal budget on May 5, 2025, and deferred decisions on requested program expansions until Beaufort County announces a proposed tax rate. Mayor Donald Sadler presided over the special session that began at 2:00 p.m.

Tammy Swindell, the city’s administrative services director, and Jonathan Russell, the city manager, presented the budget to council members, walking through the packet and assumptions. The packet includes an instruction to “fund at the same level as FY24-25” for at least some line items, indicating no proposed increases for those items in the draft presented to council.

Jonathan Russell told council that ‘‘all of the expansion funding requests are premature right now until we find out the tax rate Beaufort County is proposing,’’ and advised that council revisit expansion requests in a couple of months once county information is available. No formal budget adoption occurred at the May 5 session.

The meeting opened with roll call and agenda approval. By motion of Mayor Pro tem Anthony Tyre, seconded by Councilmember William Pitt, the council approved the meeting agenda as presented. The council adjourned by motion of Councilmember Antwan Horton, seconded by Councilmember William Pitt, at 5:25 p.m.; the next council meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

The council’s decision to defer expansion funding leaves timelines for potential program growth dependent on Beaufort County’s forthcoming tax-rate proposal and any subsequent budget guidance staff provides.