Smyrna budget second reading: no tax increase, $28 million for infrastructure and payroll updates

Finance Director Sierra presented the town’s FY27 budget at second reading, reiterating that the proposal includes no tax increase and no new debt while funding $28 million in infrastructure improvements.

"There is no tax increase, no new debt," Sierra told council, summarizing the package that also includes a fully funded pension and a written plan for year-end adjustments. She said most changes between first and second reading were payroll updates driven by recent evaluations and turnover.

Sierra highlighted reallocation of projects that slipped in FY26 into the FY27 plan, including Kevin’s comprehensive plan and monument-sign work; she said the town remains above the 30% reserve requirement and currently exceeds it by a comfortable margin.

Council members asked about revenue assumptions and population estimates used in revenue projections; Sierra said she adjusted some shared-sales-tax assumptions using the comptroller’s updated figure and planned to provide supplemental detail on the gateway monument-sign bidding and other carryover items.

The item will return for final adoption at the next meeting; staff noted all documents and the full budget book are available on the town website.