Garner Town Council Passes $87.3 Million Operations Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

The Garner Town Council at its June 17 meeting approved by a 3-2 vote an $87.3 million operations budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which begins July 1.  

The budget, which holds the municipal property tax rate at the current 52 cents per $100 valuation, is a $9.9 million increase over this year’s amended budget.  

________

Two main Council priorities are at the center of the approved budget: the Garner Fire-Rescue consolidation with the Town on July 1 of this year and the opening of the new Yeargan Park in the fall of 2026.  

The budget funds nine new positions to support the Garner Fire-Rescue consolidation and 12 new positions for operations at Yeargan Park, which will open with four athletic fields, an inclusive playground, a shelter with restrooms and covered seating, and Garner Road frontage improvements with a 10-foot-wide multi-use path. 

“I am pleased that the FY26 budget invests in Garner’s vibrant future, focusing on community quality of life as well as overall safety and well-being,” Town Manager Jodi Miller said. “We are also thrilled to welcome the Garner Fire-Rescue Department on July 1.” 

The budget includes funding for the Police Department to support staffing, vehicles and equipment needs. The funding may be used to hire additional positions based on the priorities set by the incoming police chief.  

________

Street resurfacing funding will increase by $544,000 next fiscal year, and there will be a new annual allocation of $200,000 for traffic-calming measures to improve road conditions and enhance neighborhood safety as Garner grows.  

The budget also supports the priorities of residents, as gleaned from Garner’s participation in the 2024 National Community Survey. 

In response to concerns about housing, $100,000 was set aside in the budget for housing preservation services funding to help residents remain in their homes, to maintain Garner’s older housing stock and to preserve affordable housing options in the town.  

________

To meet residents’ demand for more recreational opportunities and special events, the Parks, and Recreation & Cultural Resources Department received funding to expand its programs and services, including the introduction of new volleyball and basketball opportunities, additional performances for special events and the addition of specialized programs tailored to support individuals with special needs or disabilities.  

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources also received funding for two new full-time positions to support its program enhancements. 

Four other full-time positions are funded in the approved budget as well: 

• Inspections will receive two positions to meet the rapidly increasing service demands related to Garner’s fast growth.

• Two positions have been funded for general government support and innovation.  

________

The Council also approved by a 3-2 vote a capital projects budget for fiscal year 2025-26 totaling $4,987,752. The largest appropriation in that budget is $2.2 million for vehicle and equipment replacement. Nearly a million dollars is set aside for the Penny for Parks program, which enables maintenance and upgrades of existing Town parks and recreational facilities. 

Recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that Garner is the 10th fastest-growing municipality in the country. Despite the rapid change, the Town continues to follow sound fiscal policies and practices that have resulted in maintaining stellar credit ratings of AAA by Standard & Poor’s and Aa1by Moody’s Investors Services. 

For more information on the Town budget, please visit the FY26 Budget Portal webpage. 

via Town of Garner