by AnnGardner Eubank
KILMARNOCK—Following first readings of a proposed $19,306,789 fiscal year 2025-26 budget and an ordinance to increase the real estate tax, Kilmarnock residents urged town council members to reconsider increasing costs for residents and to slow the rapid growth the town is seeing.
Town manager Susan Cockrell presented the proposed budget which indicates an increase of $1,788,826 from the current budget of $17,517,963.
According to Cockrell, major factors contributing to the increased budget include continuation of the development of the waste water treatment plant, capital improvement projects, payroll increases at 3%, and additional staffing, including a human resources position and additional laborers in public works.
Cockrell noted that to meet the added expenses, the town expects more revenue from sales taxes, meals tax and the real estate tax, which is set to increase too.
During council’s first reading of an ordinance to adopt a real estate tax increase, Cockrell noted an increase from $.07 per $100 of assessed real estate value to $.10. She provided examples of what the three cent increase would look like for….
