Public Hearing on 2025-26 budget set for May 20
Town Manager Kip Padgett presented the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to the Board of Commissioners for consideration on Tuesday, May 6. Aligned with the goals and strategies outlined in the Town’s strategic plan, the budget will serve as the financial and spending plan for the next fiscal year. Once adopted, it will authorize resources and establish a direction for Wake Forest programs and services for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
The proposed budget includes no change in the property tax rate ($0.42 per $100 of assessed property valuation), downtown municipal service district tax ($0.14 per $100 assessed property valuation) or vehicle fee which remains at $30. The Stormwater Utility fee structure will also remain unchanged.
The proposed budget calls for a $1/month increase in the residential solid waste fee ($24/month), and a 3% increase in Wake Forest Power’s residential energy charge (approximately $3/month for the average customer) scheduled to take effect September 1, 2025.
The presented budget also proposes 18 new full-time positions, including five Stormwater Utility crew members and five employees at the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging for which the Town will assume operational and programming responsibilities on July 1, 2025.
The public is invited to view a digital copy of the proposed budget online at https://bit.ly/TOWFBudget until Tuesday, May 20. On that date, a public hearing is scheduled during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting to receive public comment. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Chambers, 301 S. Brooks St.
Final budget approval by the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for the June 17 meeting. For more information, email Budget & Performance Manager Michelle Daniels at mdaniels@wakeforestnc.gov.