Town Council Budget Workshop & FY: 2025-26 Budget Public Hearing - May 13 2025

Weaverville Town Council Addresses Budget Challenges & Approves Tax Rate Increase

On May 13, 2025, the Weaverville Town Council held a Budget Workshop and Public Hearing to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The meeting provided a detailed look at the town's financial outlook, potential spending priorities, and ultimately resulted in a decision regarding property taxes. The session was attended by council members, town staff including Finance Director Dozier and Town Manager Jennifer Harris, and County Tax Assessor Tanya Harris, as well as Weaverville residents.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment, with resident Bo Platt taking the opportunity to address the council. He passionately advocated for an increase in property taxes, arguing that it was crucial to maintain Weaverville’s high quality of life and ensure competitive salaries for town employees, thereby attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Platt emphasized his positive experiences as a new resident, highlighting the town's excellent services and strong community spirit. He was noted by the Mayor as being the only resident to ever request a tax increase during a public hearing.

The council’s discussion centered around the proposed budget, which initially included a $0.37 tax rate – representing a $0.02 increase from the current rate. The budget also proposed a 5% water rate increase and utilizes $1.35 million from the town’s fund balance, currently standing at $7 million. Key topics explored included requests for additional personnel—a police detective and two full-time water treatment plant operators—and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for town employees. Capital improvements were also discussed, including funding for a Ford Lightning truck for the detective, leaf vacuum replacement, water system equipment upgrades, generator security cameras and a new fire apparatus.

A critical development during the meeting was an update from Tanya Harris, County Tax Assessor, regarding significant reductions in tax revenue. These declines, totaling approximately $82,000, are primarily attributed to a storm-related downturn in business personal property values at Thermo Fisher. This news prompted considerable discussion about potential budget adjustments, with council members exploring options such as adding a garage floor repair for the police department, replacing a patrol car, implementing pavement crack sealing, and even repaving streets. However, after weighing the options, the council ultimately agreed to maintain a property tax increase of two cents (2¢). They decided to proceed with the proposed budget as originally presented, foregoing the additional expenditures discussed. A final decision on the purchase of a rescue truck was deferred, with an understanding that pricing is subject to change.

Looking ahead, the council will continue its budget deliberations at a workshop scheduled for June 3rd. Residents are invited to provide further comments on the budget during the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday. Town staff will also continue pursuing grant opportunities to fund various projects, including stormwater rehabilitation, public works expansion, and FEMA recovery efforts. While the decision to maintain a modest tax increase reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility, it also underscores the ongoing challenges facing Weaverville as it strives to balance providing quality services with a changing economic landscape.