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Havelock adopts $18.19 million budget; utility and permit fees to rise after 3-2 vote
Summary
The Havelock Board of Commissioners approved the FY 2026-27 budget, setting a $0.75 tax rate per $100 valuation and adopting multiple enterprise fee increases; the measure passed 3-2 after dissent over rate increases.
The Havelock Board of Commissioners on June 22 adopted the FY 2026-27 budget ordinance, approving $18,194,595 in General Fund appropriations and a slate of fee and utility rate increases that city officials said were needed to balance the budget.
Finance Director Kimberly Walters presented the spending plan and associated fee schedule, highlighting a property tax rate of $0.75 per $100 valuation and enterprise adjustments that include a 3.3% increase in planning permit fees, a 20% increase in sewer charges, and 7.5% increases for both water and solid-waste fees. The Tourist & Event Center building fee was proposed to rise by 10%.
The budget package also includes the Pay and Classification Scale and related fee schedule changes, and lists fund-level appropriations of General Fund $18,194,595; Water $3,332,750; Sewer $7,138,000; Solid Waste $1,766,500; Stormwater $540,000; Tourist & Event Center $637,453; and E911 $132,161.
Commissioner Cynthia Evans-Robinson moved to adopt the budget ordinance, and Commissioner Brenda Wilson seconded. The motion carried 3-2, with Commissioners Danny Walsh and Mark Larkin recorded as opposing. The transcript records the vote as "the motion carried with Commissioners Walsh and Larkin opposing (3-2)." The motion established the adopted fee schedule and took effect July 1, 2026.
Supporters said the increases were necessary to address operating costs and maintain services; opponents raised concerns about the effect on residents and small businesses. During discussion, the board referenced contingency and reserve policies and directed staff to provide further budgetary detail as needed.
The budget ordinance, adopted by the board on June 22, is on file in the City Clerk's Office. The board also approved separately several SB 473 appropriation items (see related coverage) and accepted required recusals before voting on those items.
What happens next: The adopted budget and associated fee schedule take effect July 1, 2026. Staff will implement the fee changes and return any follow-up information the board requested about specific line items and revenue projections.
