Emerald Isle adopts FY 2026-27 budget with modest tax increase, approves $50.3 million five-year capital plan

The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners adopted the town’s FY 2026-27 budget on June 9, approving a proposed General Fund property tax rate of 11 cents per $100 of assessed value, a 1/2‑cent increase over the current rate, and a five-year capital plan totaling about $50.3 million that includes roughly $28 million for a major beach nourishment project. Commissioner Alesia Sanderson moved to adopt the ordinance; the Board voted 4-0 in favor.

Finance Director Laura Rotchford presented the budget and said the proposed General Fund tax rate would be 11 cents per $100 of assessed value. The recommended budget includes $100,000 to begin implementing changes recommended in a recent Classification and Compensation Study by Pontifex. The Pontifex presentation said the Town’s current salary ranges are "approximately 6% - 13% lower than the current market," and the board will consider new salary ranges at a future meeting in July or August.

Why it matters: the budget funds core services, sets fees and tax rates that affect residents and property owners, and seeds implementation of a compensation study intended to reduce pay disparities with comparable local governments. The capital plan also schedules multi‑year projects, including the major beach nourishment work that represents more than half of the proposed five‑year total.

Details: the budget package included a 2.2‑cent special district tax for oceanfront and inlet‑front properties (unchanged), a $25 increase to the annual solid waste fee, a $25 increase in the Town’s development permit fees, and minor EMS fee adjustments to mirror federal rates. The Board opened and closed the public hearing on the budget with no public comments and later approved the budget ordinance, the fee schedule and the updated five‑year capital replacement/improvement program in separate votes (each carried 4-0).

The Pontifex compensation study compared Emerald Isle salaries with a mix of private‑sector and local government employers and recommended updated salary ranges; the recommended FY 26-27 budget sets aside $100,000 to begin adjusting below‑market pay. The Board was told formal implementation of new ranges will come at a future meeting.

The Board’s actions take effect as the town’s FY 26-27 financial plan; procedural items such as a brief closed session on pending legal matters were recorded separately and remain sealed under state statute.