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Saltville council reviews FY26/27 budget draft with no tax or utility rate increases proposed
Summary
Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum presented a draft FY2026–27 budget that proposes no increases in real estate, personal property, water or sewer rates, includes a $1 trash-fee rise and a 3% employee pay increase; council members asked staff to model a 4% pay scenario and scheduled further budget discussion for May 26.
Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum presented the town's first draft of the FY2026–27 budget, telling council members there is no proposed increase in real estate or personal property tax rates and no proposed water or sewer rate increase.
Rosenbaum said the draft includes a $1.00 increase in the town's trash-pickup fee and a proposed 3% pay increase for employees (excluding the town manager). She said staff and department heads met during the budget process and provided input on departmental needs and priorities.
Council members asked for additional scenarios. Councilman John Carter and Councilman Cary Sauls requested to see a 4% pay-increase option for employees to compare costs. Rosenbaum said the council should reconvene on May 26 for more detailed budget discussion and possible adjustments.
Rosenbaum also noted she and Mayor Fullen attended a small-town conference where speakers recommended regular, modest tax adjustments rather than waiting long periods between increases; she suggested council consider tax policy ahead of the 2027–28 session.
The draft retains the elevated meals-and-food tax rate adopted last year and consolidates several water/sewer rate categories recommended by engineers to reduce complexity, Rosenbaum said. No action was taken on the draft at the May 12 meeting; council set May 26 for continued budget review.
The council's next step is the public hearing process; Rosenbaum reminded members that draft figures are subject to change until council formally adopts a budget following the public hearing.
