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Garner council directs staff to prepare FY27 budget using 1.5‑cent tax increase option
Summary
After extended discussion, Garner’s council gave staff unanimous direction (4–1 roll call) to prepare the FY27 budget ordinance using Option Two — a 1.5¢ tax increase that includes 1¢ for debt service and funds additional personnel and targeted program changes — and scheduled a special meeting for June 23 for final adoption.
The Garner Town Council on June 16 directed staff to prepare the FY27 budget ordinance using the town manager’s Option Two, a 1.5‑cent tax increase, and set a special meeting for June 23 to consider final adoption.
Town Manager Miller presented three scenarios ranging from a 2.0¢ increase down to 1.25¢. Option Two (1.5¢) was described as balancing revenue needs and council priorities: it includes 1¢ dedicated to debt service (to begin funding future capital needs such as new fire stations and a public works facility), a half‑cent for positions (which funds an additional grant writer for half a year), and reallocations including increased funding for Preserving Home and reductions to select capital or program lines.
“Option two is the 1.5 cent tax increase for next fiscal year,” Miller summarized before council discussion. The option as presented would fund a total of 10 new full‑time equivalent positions across departments (including previously planned positions), place 1¢ toward debt service and preserve monies for key council priorities.
Council debated the tradeoffs — recurring personnel costs versus capital investment and long‑term fiscal sustainability. Council member Singleton warned that adding recurring FTE costs requires future discipline to avoid annual tax creep; other members said the option provided reasonable balance between services and saving for capital.
By roll call the council voted 4–1 to direct staff to prepare the budget ordinance under Option Two, with Council member Singleton the lone dissenting vote. Staff will present the ordinance, the final fee schedule and FTE count at the special meeting scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Why it matters: The selected option increases the property tax rate by 1.5¢ for the coming fiscal year and sets a strategy of beginning to reserve dedicated revenue for capital projects while funding selected service needs.
What happens next: Staff will prepare a balanced budget ordinance showing the 1.5¢ rate, the detailed FTE list, and the fee schedule for council consideration and final vote on June 23.
