Snow Hill approves budget with police funding boost as mayor announces departure
SNOW HILL — Snow Hill’s Board of Commissioners approved a $1.79 million budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year on Wednesday, securing funding to maintain the town’s police department amid earlier discussions about potential cuts.
The newly adopted budget includes $560,364 for the police department, reflecting a commitment to keeping the department operational for another year. That figure includes a $50,000 grant the town has applied for and expects to receive. The police allocation also covers the cost of a school resource officer (SRO) for Greene County Schools.
All municipal employees will receive a 2.5% pay increase under the approved spending plan. The budget also supports town services including water, sewer, parks and recreation, and ongoing work on a new splash pad project.
Mayor Dennis Liles, who has led the town since 2011 following a two-year term as a commissioner, announced during the meeting that he will not seek re-election this fall.
“I love this town,” Liles said. “I just think it’s time for me to move on and give it to somebody else — the eyes to maybe put a better future in Snow Hill. I’ve done everything that I wanted to do and everything that I’m proud of.”
Liles will continue serving as mayor through the end of the year. Town Manager April Vinson confirmed that the town’s property tax rate will remain unchanged.
The next meeting of the Snow Hill Board of Commissioners is scheduled for August 11.
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