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Hope Mills sets 4.5‑cent property tax rate to balance FY2026–27 budget
Summary
The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 15 to set the FY2026–27 property tax rate at 4.5 cents, a half‑cent increase aimed at funding five police officers, one firefighter, a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment, a 1% contingency and other priorities; staff will return a balanced budget for final adoption next Monday with a public comment period.
The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 15 to set the FY2026–27 property tax rate at 4.5 cents, approving a half‑cent increase the board said is necessary to balance the town’s proposed budget.
The board and staff said the 4.5‑cent rate will cover a package of items in the draft budget, including funding for five police officers and one firefighter for the year, a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff, a 1% operating contingency, a $30,000 consultant contract, and a $25,000 local match for a Safe Streets grant. Commissioners also discussed a $60,000 gap to fully fund proposed equipment purchases (a quoted $81,000 tractor and cutting attachment for municipal grounds), noting the budget currently includes $21,000 toward that purchase.
Why it matters: Town officials said the additional revenue will preserve services and staffing levels without cutting employees. Commissioner Marley, who recommended the 4.5‑cent rate, framed the increase as a modest household impact: she said a typical household would pay about $13 a month (approximately $157 a year) under the 4.5‑cent scenario.
The budget discussion included Parks and Recreation programming, where staff told the board that several classes — particularly 55+ offerings — have been subsidized historically and are not expected to be revenue‑neutral. Commissioners asked staff to identify which contractor‑run classes might require rate adjustments or be discontinued if participation remains low. Operations staff said they would analyze instructor contracts and return recommendations.
Resident concerns surfaced in a read public comment from Renee Williamson, who urged the board not to cut staff and argued that if the town is “in the red,” leadership should share sacrifice rather than force employees to absorb cuts. Williamson’s emailed comment called a tax increase “necessary” to avoid layoffs and preserve services.
The board directed staff to return a balanced operating budget reflecting the 4.5‑cent rate at the next meeting, with a public comment period scheduled before final adoption. No numerical roll‑call of votes was recorded in the transcript; the board announced the vote as unanimous.
Next steps: Staff will present the balanced budget for adoption next Monday at 7 p.m.; the board’s agenda for that meeting will include a public‑comment period before final vote.
