Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wingate reviews proposed FY 2026–27 budget; proposed rate changes and $1.85M Hwy 74 waterline replacement discussed
Summary
Interim Manager Karen Wingo presented a proposed FY 2026–27 budget noting no property tax rate increase but a larger tax base from new homes, increases in solid waste costs, staffing and capital line items, a proposed 2% water and 4% sewer pass-through, and a proposed Hwy 74 waterline replacement estimated at $1,850,000.
The Wingate Board of Commissioners reviewed the town’s proposed FY 2026–27 budget at a May 19 special meeting and heard details about expected revenue changes, department allotments, and several capital projects.
Interim Town Manager Karen Wingo summarized highlights of the preliminary budget, which shows higher ad valorem revenue attributable to new-home construction while proposing no increase in the property tax rate. The budget anticipates higher solid-waste costs following a rate increase from the town’s contractor (Waste Connections), lower planning and zoning fee revenue, and dedicated capital allocations for community center and park building updates (including roofing) contingent on grant awards.
Wingo said wholesale charges from Union County Public Works will increase (noted in the materials as a 7% increase for water and a 15% increase for sewer), and the town proposes smaller pass-through increases for residents (about 2% for water and 4% for sewer). “For a household using 3,500 gallons of water, the bill will increase by about $2.90 per month, including the garbage rate increase,” Wingo said.
The budget presentation also listed water and sewer capital plans through 2027–2031. A critical item flagged in the packet is the replacement of an aging 8-inch ductile iron water main along Highway 74, estimated at $1,850,000. The materials state roughly $1.6 million of that cost would be paid from the town’s System Development Fee (SDF) fund and show a per-home cost figure of $2,760; the board heard the project description but took no formal action to approve the expenditure at this meeting. The FY 2026–27 materials were entered as Exhibit B.
Staff answered commissioner questions about Powell Bill use, capital outlay, and the source of the SDF contribution. No formal budget adoption occurred at the May 19 meeting; the budget was provided for review and discussion.
Votes at a glance from this meeting: the agenda was adopted on a motion by Commissioner John Mangum, seconded by Commissioner Johnny Lowery, and the meeting was later adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Greg Doyle, seconded by Commissioner Johnny Lowery; both motions were recorded as unanimously approved in the minutes.
Next steps: staff will incorporate feedback and return with formal budget and appropriation items for future board consideration; the meeting minutes and exhibits (budget packet) were incorporated into the record as Exhibit B.
