Kure Beach proposes 19.5¢ tax rate and raises garbage and utility rates in FY 2026–27 draft budget

At the May 18 meeting the Kure Beach Town Council received the draft FY 2026–27 budget package from Finance Officer Arlen Copenhaver.

Copenhaver said the proposed General Fund budget is 9.1% larger than the 2026 final budget and recommends a property tax rate of 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, an increase of 2.3 cents. He said the town must adopt a balanced or interim budget before July 1 and noted a public hearing on the draft is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m.

The proposal includes fee and utility changes intended to support operations and capital needs. Key items presented: • Residential garbage collection: first cart fee proposed to rise 35.3%, from $8.75 to $11.84 per month; commercial cart rates were also proposed to increase. • Recycling collection: proposed increase of $0.47 per cart (4.7%). • Water and sewer: a proposed 10% increase to the minimum charge and a 20% increase to usage‑based tiers; Copenhaver presented monthly bill examples at several usage levels to illustrate impacts. • Capital and debt: proposed capital expenditures across funds (including $485,500 in the General Fund and $640,000 in Water & Sewer capital) and debt service totals were shown.

Copenhaver said the budget package complies with North Carolina General Statutes Sections 159‑11 and 159‑12 and that copies of the proposal will be posted online and available at Town Hall following council acceptance of the draft. Council took no final budget vote at the meeting; the public hearing remains the next formal step.