Proposed 2026-27 Budget

Town Manager Kip Padgett presented the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget to the Board of Commissioners for consideration on Tuesday, May 5. Aligned with the goals and strategies detailed 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, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Overview

The proposed budget includes no change in the property tax rate ($0.42 per $100 of assessed property valuation) or vehicle fee which remains at $30, and a one cent decrease in the downtown municipal service district tax (from $0.14 to $0.13 per $100 assessed property valuation).

The proposed budget calls for a $1/month increase in the residential solid waste fee (from $24 to $25/month) and no change in either Wake Forest Power’s residential energy charge or Stormwater Utility fee structure.

The presented budget also proposes 25 new full-time positions, including 14 firemen, and several major initiatives, such as a Fire Station 6 Recruit Academy, Five-Year Strategic Plan Refresh, S-Line Design, Ailey Young House Design, and Toms Creek Watershed Improvements.

View Proposed Budget

What's Next

Community members are invited to view a three-minute budget overview video, along with a digital copy of the proposed budget-in-brief until Tuesday, May 19. 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 16 meeting.

Share Your Thoughts

In the feedback section below, please share your thoughts and opinions on the proposed budget.

All comments received will be shared with the BOC for consideration and will become part of the public record.