Butner council adopts FY202627 budget with no tax-rate increase

Butner 9Town Council unanimously adopted the town's fiscal year 202627 budget, approving a general fund total of $11,135,824 and leaving the property tax rate unchanged at 42 cents per $100 valuation.

Town staff reviewed the multi-month budget process and told council there is no planned appropriation from fund balance to balance the budget. The budget includes updated planning and recreation fee schedules; some recreational fee changes will take effect Jan. 1 to accommodate existing bookings.

During the required public hearing, a few residents praised the absence of a tax increase and discussed service and communication issues. Council accepted the budget and then approved several related budget amendments: $1,250 in support for the Camp Butner Society Museum and $500 to Granville County Crime Stoppers (both for FY2027 appropriations), and a year-end amendment recognizing additional revenues and increasing line items to close out the current fiscal year in compliance with the budget ordinance.

Finance director Hawks presented the April 2026 financial report during the meeting and noted year-to-date revenue and expenditure percentages (about 77.1% of revenues collected and 73.6% of expenditures through April). Council later approved the recommended end-of-year budget amendments to recognize approximately $100,000 in additional revenue (insurance proceeds and grants) and increase expenditures for vehicle repairs ($20,000), sales-tax reimbursements ($25,000) and legal fees ($55,000) to keep the account balanced without drawing fund balance.

Councilmembers said the budget reflects careful work by staff and emphasized continued attention to capital priorities and grant opportunities. The budget ordinance and associated amendments passed unanimously.