Piperton approves first reading of $5.4M budget, holds property tax rate at $0.4051

The Piperton Board of Mayor and Commissioners approved on first reading Ordinance No. 422-26 on June 9, adopting a proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget that projects $5,416,395.48 in General Fund revenues and retains a property tax rate of $0.4051.

City Manager Steve Steinbach, who presented the budget at the special-called meeting, said the administration is still finalizing some entries but has included the capital budget and several operating assumptions. "We are very much in a transitional fiscal year, our health insurance costs spiraled out of control," Steinbach said, citing roughly $120,000 in increased health-insurance expense and about $117,500 in additional personnel costs.

Steinbach proposed a 3% baseline cost-of-living adjustment for employees and said the city may opt for a performance or "employee appreciation" bonus paid in two increments rather than increasing base pay while sales-tax growth remains flat. He also proposed keeping deferred-compensation contributions at 5.5% and said staff will explore options to support employees who cannot contribute to retirement plans.

The presentation laid out revenues and a population concern staff said affects state-shared revenue: the city's official population is listed as 2,801, while staff believe the actual population is near or above 3,300. Steinbach said that gap represents an estimated $60,000–$75,000 in potential annual revenue and said the city may pursue a special census to capture the difference.

Steinbach summarized capital requests totaling $2,852,165.62. Department-level items include a finance intern and GIS intern, an expansion of living accommodations for fire personnel and preliminary planning for a future combined fire/police facility, two new police vehicles (including outfitting), a continuing search for a firing-range site, dump-truck replacement in public works, and improvements at Piper Park that include a private benefactor's pledged match. Water and sewer projects highlighted the final American Rescue Plan-funded item, a wastewater-lagoon analysis by J.R. Wauford, proposed pump-station fencing, decentralized-sewer maintenance consulting and a planned Greenbrier emergency sewer extension.

Steinbach also addressed paving costs and a recent pressure-paving issue. He said oil and asphalt prices are high and noted a proposed $250,000 annual paving appropriation distinct from the larger, longer-term program to address base failures; the mayor has appointed a paving committee to consider funding options.

During the meeting Commissioner Russ Fletcher moved to approve Ordinance No. 422-26 on first reading; Commissioner Ronnie Gross seconded. The motion carried with all affirmative votes. Steinbach said the final budget documents will be reconciled to the state's format before final reading and that a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for June 23.

Mayor Henry Coats said he will raise concerns about the county's school-funding and tax situation at the next meeting and intends to contact county commissioners about potential impacts on the city's revenue. With no audience questions, Commissioner Joel Townsend moved to adjourn at 7:31 p.m.; Vice-Mayor Mike Binkley seconded and the motion passed.