FY 2026-2027 Budget and 4.5-Cent Tax Increase
Hope Mills
Summary
Budget workshops kick off May 11 (public safety) and May 18 (public works, parks, stormwater). The mayor is asking residents to show up and weigh in on priorities.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 10
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
The proposed budget is balanced at a $0.48 tax rate.
Anyone who shows up to give input on town priorities.
Residents on fixed incomes would feel a tax increase; if none passes, employees and service levels bear the cuts instead.
Mentions & discussions (10)
Board of Commissioners (Special) - Jun 22, 2026
The town adopted a $23.5 million budget with a third consecutive property tax increase. Residents packed public comments worried about staff cuts, budget amendments draining reserves, and who's accountable for overruns.
Board of Commissioners - Jun 15, 2026
The proposed 48-cent budget only balances by leaving five police positions, a firefighter, the grant writer, and a $1.2 million general fund repayment unfunded. Three tax scenarios — 3.5, 4, and 4.5 cents — were presented, with adoption targeted for June 22.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - Jun 15, 2026
After a fifth budget workshop, the board agreed to aim for a 4.5-cent property tax increase — about $13 a month for the average household — covering police raises, five police officers, a firefighter, a 2.5% COLA, and a tractor for golf course mowing. Final adoption is set for June 29 after public comments.
Board of Commissioners - Jun 8, 2026
The town is trying to adopt a balanced budget by June 30 after cutting about $2.2 million from the original $22.5 million proposal. The remaining roughly $1 million gap would take a 5-6 cent property tax increase — about $13-16 a month for the average homeowner. Several commissioners now say a tax hike is unavoidable.
Board of Commissioners - Jun 1, 2026
The $22.5 million budget is balanced with no tax increase, but only by using one-time ARPA money and freezing positions. Board members tally roughly $900,000 in unfunded needs — about a 5-cent tax increase — and the fight over whether to raise taxes before the June 29 adoption is now front and center.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - May 18, 2026
The town is wrestling with a $22.5 million proposed budget after cutting $2 million in department requests to about $100,000. Residents are split — most speakers opposed any tax increase, but one argued for a 5-6 cent hike to protect police, fire, and parks services. The manager warned shifting money between funds can't continue forever.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
The town must adopt its FY26-27 budget by June 30, and officials are scrambling to avoid a property tax increase through creative accounting. One cent on the tax rate equals about $210,000, and a public hearing is planned for June.
Board of Commissioners - May 11, 2026
The proposed budget starts roughly $3 million in the hole on July 1, funds no repayment of the $1.2 million audit-related general fund obligation, and balances without a tax increase. Several commissioners argued incremental tax increases are needed to fund the town's pay study and avoid cutting services.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - May 4, 2026
Budget workshops kick off May 11 (public safety) and May 18 (public works, parks, stormwater). The mayor is asking residents to show up and weigh in on priorities.
Board of Commissioners (Special) - Apr 30, 2026
The town received a balanced proposed budget with no property tax increase, a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for employees, and new position requests. Formal budget adoption will come later.
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