Marion budget: No property tax increase proposed; water, sewer rates may rise
On May 19, the Marion City Council discussed the proposed $20.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. The proposed budget does not call for an increase in the property tax rate but does include increases in water and sewer rates.
City Manager Woody Ayers presented the plan for the next fiscal year at the Tuesday meeting of the Marion City Council.
Under the proposed budget, the property tax rate will remain at 59.5 cents per $100 valuation. There are no major increases in state revenues expected, according to information from the city.
The budget calls for a $2 per month increase in the residential garbage fee and a 5% increase for the commercial rates.
The plan for 2026-2027 includes a 5% increase in the water rates and a 5% increase in the sewer rates.
The budget will be balanced with no use of fund balance money, according to information from the city.
A minimum inside water/sewer/garbage fee will increase from $65 to $69.50.
The proposed budget includes $65,000 for new computer software and implementation, $25,000 for a new roof on the city's IT building and $8,000 for camera upgrades downtown.
The Marion Police Department would get two new marked patrol units ($129,100), one unmarked SUV for investigations ($58,153) and an HVAC unit ($11,940).
The Marion Fire Department would get a new 2,000-gallon tanker with loose equipment ($488,800), three sets of turnout gear ($21,000), three portable VIPER radios ($18,000) and a turnout gear/PPE dryer ($20,000).
The city's Public Works Department administrative section would get a 1,500-square-foot building ($272,000), a tire balancer for the city garage ($13,200) and an air compressor for the garage ($7,840).
The city's Public Works Department street section would get a tractor with long-arm mower attachment ($203,700), a one-ton service truck ($79,275), a Rough Terrain Vehicle ($27,500) and a plate tamp for asphalt ($3,360). The city's Public Works Department sanitation section will get a half-ton pickup ($47,344) and a dump bed for a pickup ($12,000). The city's Public Works Department recreation section includes $9,775 to place a pier on the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway and $71,925 for resurfacing of the tennis courts.
Under utility line maintenance, the budget has $25,093 for parts for a pump at the Clinchfield station, $10,485 for a lift station pump and $4,085 for an excavator track.
The proposed budget has a list of upgrades and replacements for parts at both the water and sewer treatment plants.
The plan for 2026-2027 has a 2% cost-of-living pay raise for all city of Marion employees. No new staff positions will be created. There are cost increases for health insurance, workers' compensation and retirement, according to information from the city.
The proposed budget's goals for 2026-2027 are:
* Complete Hurricane Helene projects. The city currently has an 18-month time extension, and all projects are scheduled to be completed by September 2027.
* Continue to seek grant funding for needed water/sewer projects as well as park improvements and other infrastructure in the city.
* Maintain adequate fund balance reserves for financial stability. The city continues to seek cost savings and monitor expenses closely.
* Develop a strategic plan for the city.
* Make updates to the long-range Capital Improvement Plan.
* Continue to stress the city of Marion's appearance, long-range planning and economic development.
* Improve the city's quality of life through continued development of mini-parks, greenways and other recreational facilities.
A copy of this budget will be available for public inspection at the Marion City Hall.
The public will get an opportunity to comment on the budget in June. As required by law, a public hearing will be held during a regular city council meeting. Such a hearing must be held before the budget can be adopted.
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