Granite Falls council adopts 2026 property tax levy with banking of 1% capacity

Granite Falls City Council on Nov. 5 adopted Ordinance No. 1065‑2025, authorizing the city’s 2026 property tax levy “without increase in dollar amount $0.00” and permitting the banking of the available 1% levy capacity for future use. The council adopted the ordinance after closing a public hearing that drew no speakers.

City Manager Jeff Balentine presented a detailed levy overview and supporting exhibits, including examples of homeowner impacts, a 2025 tax‑dollar breakdown and a cumulative 'banked capacity' scenario. Deputy City Clerk Carole Williams submitted five exhibits into the record, including two draft ordinance options (0% and 1%).

Councilmember Steven Glenn moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1065‑2025; Councilmember Bruce Straughn seconded. The motion passed 3–2. Councilmembers Glenn, David Griggs and Bruce Straughn voted yes; Mayor Matthew Hartman and Mayor Pro Tem Tom FitzGerald voted no. The motion language in the record was: "Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1065‑2025, an Ordinance of the City of Granite Falls authorizing the 2026 property tax levy without increase in dollar amount $0.00 and levying the same upon all taxable property... and authorizing the banking of remaining levy capacity in the amount of the available 1% increase for future use." (mover: Councilmember Steven Glenn; seconder: Councilmember Bruce Straughn).

Mayor Matthew Hartman opened the public testimony portion; no one from the audience signed up to speak. After closing the public testimony the council proceeded to the vote.

Why it matters: the ordinance sets the levy for collection in 2026 and explicitly preserves the city’s available 1% capacity for later use, which affects future levy calculations and the city's ability to raise the regular levy. The presentation supplied examples showing how the levy translates to property‑owner bills under different assessed‑value scenarios.

Procedural note: the ordinance was adopted at this meeting and is recorded as Ordinance No. 1065‑2025 for collection in 2026; the action was taken following the public hearing and a recorded roll‑call vote.