Troutman council reviews FY 2026–27 proposed budget, weighing six new staff and major capital transfers

Troutman Town Manager Justin Longino told the Town Council at an April 22 budget workshop that the proposed FY 2026–27 budget emphasizes maintaining core services while positioning the town for future growth. The council set a public hearing for May 14 and is expected to adopt the budget in June.

"This budget reflects our core responsibility to deliver reliable, high-quality services to residents as a service-focused organization," Longino said, outlining a conservative revenue plan that relies primarily on ad valorem taxes (the town rate is currently 50 cents per $100 of assessed value), with secondary revenues from sales and utility taxes, fees and investment income.

The draft budget front-loads public safety and infrastructure. Major department requests include an $3,876,126 police budget (a 6% increase), a $1,983,188 streets budget (a 36% increase driven by internal cost reallocation and utility costs), and a $1,258,197 Parks & Recreation budget (25% increase) that includes $150,000 for a parks master plan and funds for youth athletics. Staff proposed allocating more than $1 million for street repair, and the town’s debt-service request increased to $1,239,029 (a 23% rise) to cover existing loan payments.

Staff proposed six new positions in FY27 to handle growth and operational needs: a Community Engagement Specialist (to lead downtown and events), a second Accounting Technician, a Management Analyst to support cross‑departmental HR/finance analysis, a Special Events and Administrative Support Specialist for Parks & Rec, an additional police officer, and a Public Works Operations Manager. Longino said the hires are intended to improve communications, administrative capacity and workforce retention.

Finance Director Gina Merrell outlined administrative items including one-time modular office rental for staff during Town Hall renovations ($50,000), software investments (a shared SmartFusion accounting purchase and a proposed performance-management system), and a suggested increase in Council travel and training funds at the request of Councilmember Nicholas Jaroszynski.

Sanitation costs under the WastePro contract prompted an immediate rate question: staff reported that to break even the monthly residential sanitation rate would need to rise from $18.52 to $20.46 given a projected 5% contract increase and a modest growth in customers. Longino said staff will present a full cost-and-fee breakdown, including the definitive WastePro costs, at the May public hearing and again at adoption in June.

The draft also proposes continued transfers into capital reserve funds: $500,000 to the ESC Park Fund to cover lighting and amenities, about $1.2 million to the Town Hall Fund (bringing that fund’s balance to just over $4.0 million), and recurring transfers to economic development and greenway funds. Staff noted possible legal follow-up regarding $165,000 paid to a pickleball contractor for work the town contends was not performed correctly; the town attorney will review options for recovery.

Councilmembers asked for more comparative data in certain areas: Jaroszynski requested a two-year historical comparison for departmental budgets and that Planning Director Andrew Ventresca benchmark permit fees against peer municipalities. Ventresca also warned that planning revenues are reduced this year as the town temporarily shifted permitting to Iredell County under a moratorium.

The workshop closed with a list of staff follow-ups and next steps: prepare the May public hearing materials with requested cost breakdowns (notably for sanitation and utility fees), research statutory limits and structure for a possible downtown municipal service district, reactivate the occupancy tax advisory board to consider funding for a Community Engagement Specialist, pursue CRTPO and NCDOT funding for downtown sidewalks, and provide the history of Greenway South funding at the May hearing.

The workshop was adjourned by motion at 1:38 p.m.