The Spring Lake Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the town’s budget, totaling over $16 million for fiscal year 2025-26.
This follows the legally required public hearing for the budget held at their June 9 meeting.
Town Manager Jon Rorie said this year’s $16,727,966 budget is structured around four key strategic focus areas. These focus areas were carefully selected by town officials and community members through several months of strategic planning sessions. The focus areas include: revitalized town infrastructure; safe and reliable water, sewer and stormwater systems; economic development; and a safe, vibrant, and healthy community.
The new budget includes a general fund over $9.5 million, which is used for expenses like completing repair projects throughout the town, paying town employees and purchasing equipment for various town departments. Here are some highlights.
- Spring Lake will maintain their current property tax rate at 74.1 cents per $100 in property value. At this valuation, owners of an average priced home in Spring Lake — about $260,000 — will pay just over $1,900 in property taxes. This revenue is collected in the town’s general fund.
- A 2.3% cost of living adjustment for most town employees, excluding Spring Lake Fire Department employees. Fire employees will each receive market rate adjustment totaling $4,000.
- The town has allocated $96,000 to employ a new code enforcement officer. Code enforcement officers enforce zoning ordinances to maintain a town’s appearance and standard of living.
Commissioner Raul Palacios praised the commissioners and town leadership for their work on the budget through extensive meetings and collaborative efforts over several months.
At 74.1 cents per $100 in value, Spring Lake’s property tax rate is the highest municipal tax rate in Cumberland County. Palacios acknowledged the high rate in comparison to surrounding municipalities, but said he thinks it’s prudent for the board to approve the budget to execute long-term plans for the town.
“It goes a long way when we’re able to communicate and have good conversations about it, even when we disagree about these topics,” Palacios said.
The next Spring Lake Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 11 at Spring Lake Town Hall, 300 Ruth St.
