Goldsboro council holds public hearing on $103.2 million budget, proposes tiered water rates and modest fee increases

Goldsboro city staff presented the manager’s recommended FY 2026–27 budget at a public hearing on May 18, describing a $103.2 million multiyear plan that preserves the current property tax rate while directing new funds to infrastructure and a five‑year capital improvement plan.

City Manager Matt Livingston told the council the general fund proposal totals about $61.18 million and that the overall budget rises mainly to fund capital projects and mandated compliance work. "We developed a five‑year capital improvement plan and used it to prioritize roads, equipment, and essential infrastructure," Livingston said in the briefing.

The recommended budget includes a new, conservation‑focused tiered water and sewer rate and a proposed 5% utility rate adjustment. Staff said roughly 60% of residential accounts use 3,000 gallons or less and would see only a modest net increase under the combined package. "Under the conservation tier and a $2 sanitation adjustment, the typical combined residential bill rises about $1.15 per month," finance staff said. The sanitation increase was reduced in response to council concerns; sanitation had been advertised as a $4 increase.

Why it matters: the plan relies on a one‑time withdrawal from fund balance to pay high‑priority capital needs (including approximately $3.2 million for a new streets resurfacing effort). Livingston stressed that unfunded federal and state mandates — for example, lead and copper work and PFAS/’Forever Chemicals’ compliance — are driving utility and capital costs that grants alone do not fully cover.

Public comment: the council opened the hearing and invited residents to speak. Antonio Smith, a teacher at East Wayne High School, praised downtown investment but urged more city funding for youth programming and transitional services: "If you take $3 off public safety and put it into culture and youth, that can go a long way," he said, arguing that small reallocations toward youth programs could reduce violence and improve outcomes.

Follow-ups requested: Council members asked staff for more granular GL line detail on several items, including a year‑to‑date financial summary for the Paramount theater, departmental phone stipend and assigned phone lists, and the full capital request versus recommended allocations. Staff agreed to provide the requested GL‑level reports and an updated Paramount pro‑forma before final budget adoption. The council did not adopt the budget at the hearing; formal adoption remains pending ahead of the June 30 deadline.

Next steps: staff will deliver the detailed line‑item and program year‑to‑date financials requested by council members and will return for further discussion and a vote. The manager said staff also would post the presentation materials online and provide educational graphics to help residents understand where each tax dollar is spent.

Sources: presentation and Q&A at the May 18 Goldsboro City Council meeting. The city plans additional outreach about the tiered rate structure and program fee changes prior to adoption.

Ending: The council closed the public hearing and agreed to continue budget deliberations, with supplemental financial detail to be supplied to members and the public before final adoption.