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Benson commissioners raise tax rate, approve FY2025–26 budget with pay increases and service pass-throughs
Summary
The Benson Board approved the FY2025–26 budget on May 22, 2025, adopting a $0.61 tax rate (amending the prior proposal) and authorizing a 15%-tiered cost-of-living adjustment, addition of three fire captains, and pass-through increases for water and electric.
The Town of Benson Board of Commissioners on May 22 approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and amended the proposed tax rate to $0.61 per $100 of assessed value.
Town Manager Kim Pickett told the board the proposed budget posted at Town Hall reflects a 7.4% increase from the prior year and includes a 15%-tiered cost-of-living adjustment for staff, funding to add three fire captains and vehicle replacements. The proposal also factors in a 7% increase to water rates — a pass-through from Dunn and Johnston County — and a 3.5% increase in electric rates passed through from NCEMPA.
Commissioner William Neighbors moved to amend the tax rate from $0.56 to $0.61 and place the revenue difference in contingency for later allocation (paving, stormwater, reserves or other priorities). The board approved the motion 5-1; Commissioner Dean McLamb cast the lone dissenting vote.
Supporters of the amendment said the contingency would give the board flexibility to address capital needs, while opponents expressed concern about increasing the tax burden. Pickett and staff noted rising costs for materials, supplies and health insurance as drivers of the higher budget baseline.
The board’s action sets the budget and the contingency funding approach; any projects funded from contingency will be subject to later board decisions and appropriate procurement and budget amendment processes.
