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Bethania commissioners discuss "revenue neutral" budget, roads, trails and $500,000 fund-balance target
Summary
At a special April 7 meeting, Bethania commissioners reviewed options for the 2025–26 budget including a "revenue neutral" tax-rate approach, road repairs and trail projects, a $5,000 proposal for invasive-species removal, and a suggested $500,000 fund-balance benchmark. A draft budget will be mailed to residents before a May public hearing and adopted in June.
The Town of Bethania Board of Commissioners met in a special session on April 7, 2025, to shape the town’s proposed 2025–26 budget. Mayor Brent Rockett said the town’s tax base has increased and discussed pursuing a "revenue neutral" approach that would produce the same Ad Valorem revenue at a lower levy; he noted the current tax rate is 30 cents per $100 of valuation.
The working session focused on maintenance and capital priorities. Commissioners discussed establishing a schedule to repair roads on the town’s Powell system and reviewed a quote from Hanes Paving; Mayor Rockett said he will request an additional bid from C & C Paving. The board also agreed to pursue two more pedestrian bridges on the trail network and discussed a quote from Nature Trails; Commissioners Tom Beroth and Kenneth Wolff will follow up with that vendor.
The minutes record a request that $5,000 be appropriated next year for removal of invasive species on town trails and note a possible matching grant from "PLC." The minutes additionally list Commissioner Michelle Leonard as absent; the text also records her asking for the appropriation. The minutes therefore reflect both the funding request and her absence in the attendance roster.
The commissioners reviewed several recurring costs and events: possible election expenses if a September primary is held; funding Bethania’s participation in America’s 250th anniversary events in 2026; ongoing website maintenance; and the cancellation of the Black Walnut Festival for the year. The board discussed potentially using Occupancy-tax funds to support trail work.
On fiscal policy, commissioners discussed maintaining a fund-balance buffer to guide spending decisions; $500,000 was suggested as a benchmark to inform future budgets. Based on the session, a proposed budget and Budget Message will be circulated to the commissioners for comment and mailed to residents in advance of a public hearing at the May board meeting. The board plans to present the proposed budget at that public hearing and adopt the final budget at the June board meeting.
Commissioner Tom Beroth moved to adjourn the special meeting at 7:40 PM; the motion passed unanimously. The clerk submitted the minutes for approval with signatures from the mayor and members of the board.
