Jun 2

Jun 2 Maysville proposes $1.8 million budget with no tax rate increase

MAYSVILLE — The Town of Maysville’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget would keep the town’s property tax rate unchanged while increasing water and sewer rates, raising several local fees, adding part-time staffing and using fund balance to support operations.

The proposed budget totals $1,795,750 across all operating funds. That includes $1,133,750 in the General Fund, which supports most town government operations, and $662,000 in the Water/Sewer Fund.

The proposed property tax rate remains $0.50 per $100 of assessed value. According to the proposed budget ordinance, that rate is based on a projected taxable valuation of $75,360,319 and an estimated collection rate of 93%.

Town Manager Schumata Brown’s budget message says the spending plan is intended to maintain services while responding to rising costs, including insurance, payroll, debt obligations and operational expenses.

“This year’s balanced budget totals $1,795,750 and continues our commitment to fiscal responsibility, operational excellence, and strategic growth,” Brown wrote in the budget message.

The proposed budget covers the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.

General Fund increases by more than $100,000

The General Fund is proposed at $1,133,750, up from $1,029,151 in the current fiscal year budget, an increase of $104,599, or about 10.2%.

Major General Fund appropriations include:

Administration: $419,469
Police: $283,995
Parks & Recreation/Public Safety: $125,200
Streets: $177,229
License Plate Agency: $116,305
First Citizens Loan: $11,552

The budget includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment, a 2% merit increase based on performance, and a merit bonus for employees. It also proposes adding a part-time Public Works employee and a part-time administrative employee.

Other proposed General Fund items include $30,000 for a new Public Works truck, $3,000 for police body cameras, funding for Frost Park improvements, funding for the town’s 25th anniversary Fourth of July celebration, and $20,000 for abatements.

The administration budget also includes funding tied to the workforce development center, downtown building expenses and a $3,500 donation to the Jones County Public Library.

Town would use $84,000 from fund balance

The proposed ordinance includes an $84,000 fund balance appropriation in the General Fund.

Fund balance is essentially the town’s savings, used to help maintain operations during emergencies, revenue delays or one-time capital needs. The budget message says the town is using fund balance strategically “to stabilize operations and support necessary capital purchases.”

That use of reserves may draw attention from residents and commissioners as they weigh whether the proposed spending level is sustainable without future tax or fee increases.

Water and sewer rates would rise 4%

The Water/Sewer Fund is proposed at $662,000, up from $633,000, an increase of $29,000, or about 4.6%.

The town is proposing a 4% increase in water and sewer usage rates for in-town, out-of-town and commercial customers. Base charges would remain unchanged.

For in-town residential customers, the monthly average bill listed in the budget would increase from $107.76 to $112.07, an increase of $4.31.

For outside-town residential customers, the proposed fee schedule lists the average monthly bill increasing from $129.52 to $134.70, an increase of $5.18.

The budget says the rate increase is intended to address revenue deficits in the utility system. The town operates its water and wastewater system as an enterprise fund, meaning the system is expected to operate like a business and generate enough revenue to cover operating costs and infrastructure needs.

Water/Sewer Fund expenses include:

Administration: $380,006
Water/Sewer Operations: $233,819
Governing Board: $9,300
Debt Service: $38,875

Debt service includes obligations tied to the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant and a First Citizens loan.

Late fees would change from $10 to 10%

One of the most notable proposed fee changes is the water and sewer late payment fee.

The current late fee is a flat $10. Under the proposed fee schedule, it would become 10% of the bill.

That change could be controversial because it would have a larger impact on customers with higher utility bills, including larger households, businesses and customers already behind on payments. The proposed budget ordinance estimates $10,000 in late fee revenue and $12,000 in delinquent fee revenue for the Water/Sewer Fund.

The delinquent fee would remain $50.

Other fee increases proposed

The proposed fee schedule includes increases across multiple departments.

Administrative and solid waste changes include:

Color printing would increase from 25 cents to 50 cents.
Cemetery fees would increase from $1,000 to $1,200.
Curbside solid waste pickup would increase from $15.55 to $16.00.
Bulk item pickup would increase from $15 to $18 per item.

Several zoning and development fees would also rise. Residential rezoning would increase from $300 plus $10 per acre to $350 plus $10 per acre. Commercial and industrial rezoning would increase from $400 plus $10 per acre to $450 plus $10 per acre. Variances, interpretations and appeals would increase from $500 to $600.

Building inspection fees show no broad proposed change, according to the fee schedule, though the schedule continues to list various residential and commercial permit charges.

Park reservation fees, police report fees, golf cart permits, utility deposits and most tap fees would remain unchanged.

$6 million state grant noted for capital projects

The budget document also references a $6 million state legislative direct grant for capital projects, including construction of a new fire department, renovation of town hall and street paving.

Those funds are listed separately from the operating budget in capital project funds.

Packet contains some inconsistencies

The proposed budget packet contains several figures that may need clarification before adoption.

The budget message states estimated property and vehicle tax revenues are projected at $340,000. The budget overview lists projected real and personal tax revenue at $320,000. The proposed budget ordinance lists Ad Valorem & RMV revenue at $360,000.

The General Fund expense summary also lists departmental expenses totaling $1,133,750, but the listed departments add up to $1,122,198 unless the $11,552 First Citizens Loan line from the ordinance is included. A later chart appears to list proposed General Fund total expense as $1,113,750, which does not match the proposed ordinance total of $1,133,750.

The budget document also appears to contain a mismatch for outside-town utility bills. One page lists the proposed outside-town monthly average bill as unchanged at $129.52, while the proposed fee schedule lists it increasing to $134.70.

Those discrepancies do not necessarily change the policy choices in the budget, but they are likely worth correcting or explaining before final adoption.