Board adopts final FY2026 budget with modest fund adjustments

The New Bern Board of Aldermen approved the final fiscal year 2026 budget unanimously on June 19, adopting a set of targeted fund adjustments officials said were needed to cover recent operational expenses and maintain a balanced ordinance.

Tanya/Tonya Harms presented the final budget ordinance and outlined several updates: sewer operations expenses were increased by $135,000 to cover recently incurred pumps, pipes and fittings; shared service charge reductions were revised (from a previously planned $223,000 reduction to $110,000); the electric operations expense was increased by about $146,000, bringing the line to $835,872 to cover cables, transformers and merchant credit card fees; the other post-employment benefits fund was amended to recognize a $100,000 annual transfer from the employee benefits fund; and adjustments to solid waste contracted services produced effectively no net change.

A board member reiterated a call for fiscal prudence and raised concerns about ongoing flooding in areas of New Bern, saying properties above 12 feet elevation “should not be flooding” and naming corridors including Trent Village, Educational Drive and News Boulevard. City staff and Harms characterized those policy and engineering issues as separate from the budget adoption and said larger drainage fixes would require additional design and funding.

A motion to adopt the final FY2026 budget ordinance was made, seconded and approved by roll call.

The meeting adjourned after the vote.