Town Council Regular Workshop

TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE AGENDA Town Hall/Community Room April 13, 2026 at 6:00 pm 30 South MainStreet, Weaverville, NC 28787 Town Council Regular Budget Workshop Livestreaming of meeting via the “Live” Tab on the Town’s YouTube Channel – Click this link: Youtube.com Weaverville NC government Live streams ; and Meeting recordings viewable under the “Videos” Tab (unless technical difficulties are experienced) 1. Call to Order ............................................................................................................ Mayor Lawrence 2. Presentation of Town Manager’s Proposed FY2026-2027 Budget and Budget Message ………………………………………………………………………………….……… Town Manager Harris 3. Resolution Opposing State-Imposed Limits on Local Property Tax Authority …… 2 Town Manager Harris Motion to adopt the resolution as presented 4. Action to Set Public Hearing on Proposed FY2026-2027 Budget ….……………….….. Mayor Lawrence Motion to set a public hearing on the proposed FY2026-2027 budget for Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6 pm in the Community Room/Council Chambers at Town Hall 5. Town Council Questions, Discussion, and Input ….………………..………………………….. Town Council 6. Public Input ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Mayor Lawrence Town Council will have at least 20 minutes available for public comments on budget-related matters. Comments are generally limited to 3 minutes. You must come to the podium and be recognized before giving your comment. All rules for general public comments apply to the public input section of the meeting. 7. Adjournment ………………………………………………………………………………………….….......... Mayor Lawrence  RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO STATE-IMPOSED LIMITS ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAX AUTHORITY WHEREAS, the Town of Weaverville is responsible for providing essential services to its residents, including public safety (police and fire), infrastructure maintenance, and other governmental services; and WHEREAS, property taxes are the most stable and largest single source of revenue for local governments in North Carolina, providing essential funding that allows local governments to meet the needs of growing communities; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation (including but not limited to potential constitutional amendments regarding "levy limits") that would restrict the ability of local governments to increase property tax revenue, capping growth to inflation plus a set percentage; and WHEREAS, this proposed state-level intervention represents a significant erosion of local control and the authority of elected local officials to determine the needs of their community; and WHEREAS, restricting local revenue through artificial caps could necessitate drastic cuts to core, essential services—such as reducing police staffing, reducing fire staffing, delaying public safety related capital projects and equipment purchases, or delaying infrastructure projects; and WHEREAS, such limitations would likely force local governments to rely more heavily on less transparent, more regressive fees and fines, disproportionately affecting residents with the lowest incomes; and WHEREAS, many local governments have already experienced reduced funding from the state, requiring local tax revenue to maintain basic services; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Weaverville Town Council hereby expresses its strong opposition to any state legislation or constitutional amendment that limits the authority of local governments to determine their own property tax rates and levies. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Council urges the North Carolina General Assembly to respect the authority of local governments to act as the closest, most accountable representatives of their constituents’ needs and to reject such proposed "levy limits." BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor of North Carolina, the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly, and the local legislative delegation representing Buncombe County. ADOPTED this ____ day of April, 2026. TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE ATTEST: Gary D. Lawrence, Mayor Tamara Mercer, Town Clerk 2  Bill Draft 2025-MCfy-226: Const. Amend. Property Tax Levy Limit. 2025-2026 General Assembly Committee: House Select Committee on Property Tax Date: March 18, 2026 Reduction and Reform Introduced by: Prepared by: Dan Ettefagh Analysis of: 2025-MCfy-226 Committee Co-Counsel OVERVIEW: Bill Draft 2025-MCfy-226 would submit to the voters of North Carolina the question of whether to amend the State Constitution to require the General Assembly to enact legislation limiting the property tax levy increase by counties and cities. CURRENT LAW: The State Constitution may be amended by either a constitutional convention or by legislative action. An amendment proposed by legislative action must be approved by a vote of three- fifths of each house and submitted to the voters of the State. If a majority of the voters of the State approve, the amendment becomes effective either the January following the public vote or the date provided in the enactment. The North Carolina Constitution (i) vests in the General Assembly the authority to grant units of local government the ability to levy property taxes and (ii) requires the authorization of those levies to be for purposes authorized by general law uniformly applicable throughout the State. The North Carolina General Statutes currently limits the authorization of property taxes generally to a maximum rate of $1.50 per $100 of value. BILL ANALYSIS: The bill draft would submit to the voters of North Carolina, the question of whether to amend the State Constitution to require the General Assembly to enact limits on the amount by which the authorized property tax levy could be increased and allow for exceptions applicable to the limitations enacted. The ballot question would be considered at the statewide general election to be held on November 3, 2026, and the ballot question would read: "Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments." EFFECTIVE DATE: This act is effective when it becomes law. If approved by a majority of the voters in the November 3, 2026, election, the amendment to the North Carolina Constitution will become effective upon certification of the referendum results. Legislative Analysis Kara McCraw Division Director *2025-MCfy-226-SMSV-95-v-1* 919-733-2578 This bill analysis was prepared by the nonpartisan legislative staff for the use of legislators in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. 3