Mebane adopts $72.7 million budget; mayor described a proposed 2¢ property tax increase

Mebane — The City Council adopted a budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, with a total proposed budget of $72,700,000, Mayor Ed Hooks said during the June city update.

“First, I want to thank the staff for a tremendous job,” Hooks said, describing a budget he said was balanced and focused on maintaining core services while preparing for continued growth. He said the proposal included investments in public safety and infrastructure, a new West Side fire station, 10 new staff positions and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees.

Hooks described a proposed 2¢ property tax increase—1¢ to support general fund operations and 1¢ dedicated to the general capital reserve fund—and said utility rates were proposed to rise about 10.5% to support system upgrades. The mayor acknowledged that future tax increases may be anticipated and said the council aims to provide residents with advance notice.

The council vote to adopt the budget ordinance was recorded in the meeting summary. The record contains inconsistent language: the mayor described a 2¢ property tax proposal, while the meeting text documenting the council’s adoption states the ordinance was adopted “with no tax increase.” The city did not provide clarification on the discrepancy during the broadcast.

The budget also highlights continued investment in water, sewer and stormwater systems in response to recovery needs following Tropical Storm Chantelle, Hooks said. He noted the city has historically used the general fund at times to balance budgets and that council members aim to be responsible stewards of public funds.

Next steps: the adopted ordinance and associated fee schedule and capital improvement plan (2027–2031) will guide the city’s spending priorities for the coming year. The broadcast did not provide a detailed vote tally for the budget adoption motion.