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

**Body:** Town of Weaverville — Town Council
**Date:** May 13, 2025 6:00 PM EDT (2025-05-13T18:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Town of Weaverville Town Council held a Budget Workshop and Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Public Hearing on May 13, 2025. The session focused on reviewing the proposed budget, discussing revenue projections, and addressing community input regarding fiscal policy and capital improvements.

**Community Input**
The meeting opened with a public hearing where Bo Platt, a resident of the Reams Creek Golf Community, addressed the council. Platt strongly advocated for an increase in property taxes to maintain the quality of town services and to provide generous cost-of-living increases for employees. He cited his positive experiences with town staff and community as reasons for supporting investment in personnel. The Mayor noted that Platt was the only person to request a tax increase. Following Platt’s testimony, the public hearing was formally closed. No other members of the public elected to speak during the subsequent re-opening of the hearing.

**Key Discussions and Decisions**
Finance Director Dozier presented the proposed budget, which included a property tax rate of $0.37, representing a $0.02 increase, and utilized $1.35 million from the fund balance. The proposal also included a 5% water rate increase, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees, and funding for various capital improvements, including fire apparatus, water system equipment, and cellular read meters. The council discussed potential additional expenditures, such as police department repairs, street repaving, and a rescue truck purchase.

During the discussion, Council members debated the appropriate level of tax increases. Councilman Cordell advocated for a four-cent increase to address staffing needs and capital improvements, while Councilman Wood opposed this higher increase due to potential county tax impacts. After a straw poll indicated four members favored a two-cent increase and three supported a higher increase, the council reached a consensus. The council decided to maintain the property tax increase at two cents and proceed with the proposed budget as originally presented, excluding the additional potential expenditures discussed. Additionally, the council authorized the order of a rescue truck, acknowledging the need to lock in pricing due to potential price increases.

**Follow-ups and Next Steps**
The council agreed to continue budget discussions at a workshop scheduled for June 3rd. Citizens are invited to provide further comments on the budget during the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday. Town staff will continue pursuing grant opportunities to fund various projects, including stormwater rehabilitation and FEMA recovery efforts.

## Agenda

- [PUBLIC HEARING – Proposed FY2025-2026 Budget](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21967)
- [Summary of Proposed FY 2026 Budget](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21968)
- [Public Comments](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21969)
- [Updates to FY2026 Budget](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21970)
- [Updated Revenue Projections](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21971)
- [Review of Possible Additions to General Fund Expenditures](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21972)
- [Reassignment of Capital Improvements in Water Fund](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21973)
- [Review of Grant Funding](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21974)
- [Town Council Questions, Discussion, and Direction](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841/item/21975)

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlfOuqsL8Sk
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1566/segments

## Documents

- [minutes_2025-05-13.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841?document=14444)
- [agenda_2025-05-13.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1841?document=14443)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlfOuqsL8Sk)