Spartanburg council adopts FY2026–27 operating budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged

Spartanburg City Council voted May 26 to adopt the city’s operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, after a public hearing in which supporters cited downtown safety concerns.

City Manager Chris Story told council the companion ordinances establish a balanced spending plan and the revenue side for the coming year, and he emphasized staff’s proposal does not change the city’s property tax millage or household fees. Story said roughly 66% of every dollar in the budget is devoted to salaries and benefits and that the plan includes a cost‑of‑living wage adjustment and measures to absorb rising health insurance costs.

The budget proposal projects modest revenue growth—“just under 5%”—driven primarily by business‑related revenues and growth in the property tax base, Story said. He described priorities that include maintaining an authorized headcount near 425 city employees, investments in facilities and equipment, and targeted resources for police, fire and public works.

During the public hearing, a resident who identified herself as Vanessa said she supported additional downtown policing and the idea of camera staffing to improve safety, and she praised the administration’s decision not to increase property taxes. "I've seen men down there multiple [times] with coolers filled with alcohol ... it ruined their experience," she said, urging more visible enforcement.

Council members asked staff for detail about line items, including community services and downtown policing. Story said the budget authorizes roughly 10 current police slots that remain unfilled and includes funding to pursue non‑sworn security roles and camera monitoring to free sworn officers for patrol duties. He and staff also said the hospitality tax discretionary allotments are budgeted and expected to be plugged in at second reading.

After closing the hearing, council moved to adopt the budget and the related revenue ordinance; the presiding officer announced the motions carried. The adopted budget takes effect July 1, 2026.

The administration asked residents to participate in related public processes—especially the SPATS 2050 public involvement period that closes May 29—to ensure community needs are reflected in long‑range plans that influence federal funding decisions.