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River Bend council majority backs manager proposal to show 30¢ tax rate in draft budget; change not final
Summary
At a May 14 budget workshop the town manager presented the draft FY26-27 budget showing a 28¢ tax rate and proposed fee terminology changes; after debate a majority of council members asked the manager to revise the draft to show a 30¢ rate, but any increase requires formal adoption of the FY26-27 Budget Ordinance.
River Bend Town Manager Delane Jackson presented the town's draft FY26-27 budget at a May 14 budget workshop, showing how the town's current 28¢ tax rate would affect revenues and reviewing historical tax-rate data. Jackson said the administration recommends renaming the "hydrant fee" to an "availability fee" and otherwise did not propose changes to utility rates and fees.
The council split over whether to raise the tax rate. Councilman Brian Leonard said he wanted to revisit the rate, and after discussion Councilman Leonard, Councilwoman Noonan and Councilman Jeff Weaver said they supported increasing the rate by 2¢ to 30¢. Councilwoman Lisa Benton and Councilman Buddy Sheffield opposed raising the rate and suggested reducing budget items such as the pickleball program instead.
Jackson told the council the town's projected fund balance at the end of FY26-27 is approximately 76 percent, or about $1,700,000; Benton said that projection indicated the fund balance was in good shape and reinforced her opposition to a tax increase. Council members also discussed reports that the state General Assembly may consider measures that could limit municipalities' authority to set local tax rates and what such limits could mean for future budgets.
During the public comment period the two members of the public present did not state opposition to a tax increase. Jackson said he would revise the budget proposal to include a 30¢ tax rate in the draft materials but stressed the change would not become official until the council adopts the FY26-27 Budget Ordinance.
Jackson also said the administration department's budget needs an increase to cover certain salary expenses tied to recently awarded grants; he and Finance Director Mandy Gilbert agreed those costs should be funded in the next fiscal year rather than the current year, and the council concurred. Because of time constraints Jackson recommended deferring a scheduled closed session to the May 21 work session at 5:00 p.m.; Councilman Weaver moved to adjourn and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.
