ALBEMARLE, NC – Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark presented the recommended Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget to the Albemarle City Council on Monday evening. The proposed budget totals $94,663,096 and includes all operating funds of the City. The budget is balanced and includes no change to the 61-cent property tax rate.

The recommended budget includes no increases in planning and zoning fees or the motor vehicle fee. It also does not propose any across-the-board changes to electric rates. In fact, the average residential electric customer in Albemarle has seen rates reduced by 15.5% over the past decade. Additionally, there are no proposed increases in water or sewer rates.

The proposed budget does include an adjustment to the solid waste collection fee of an additional $2.22 per month to meet a contractual increase in the City’s solid waste collection agreement.

The budget was developed to align with the goals and objectives of the City of Albemarle’s Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan was shaped by community survey responses from residents, feedback from City staff, and input from City Council.

The City of Albemarle’s Strategic Plan includes five key goals, each supported by strategies for implementation:

• Organizational Capacity – Invest in our workforce to enhance city operations and efficiency in order to better serve the community.
• Safety & Security – Enhance resources and improve practices to protect residents and safeguard the city, improving overall quality of life.
• Infrastructure – Invest in the infrastructure necessary to ensure reliable and consistent service delivery.
• Community & Economic Growth Opportunities – Guide growth and facilitate economic opportunities to benefit all residents and businesses.
• Inclusive Community Engagement – Enhance community amenities, programs, and services to engage residents of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and generations.

Proposed Budget Highlights

• $1.3 million in funding for street preservation and rehabilitation
• Addition of 10 new firefighters funded through a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant; FY2026 expenses include the purchase of turnout gear and personal protective equipment for each firefighter
• Three new patrol vehicles for the Police Department
• Patrol vehicle cameras for the Police Department
• Roof replacement for Fire Station 1
• Purchase of a new ladder truck for the Fire Department
• Renovations at Fire Station 3
• Implementation of a new Fire Department records management system
• Third leaf collection truck
• Mini-excavator
• One-ton dump truck
• Flatbed dump truck
• Mowing tractor with attachments
• HVAC replacements at City facilities
• Software system for Planning & Development Services
• Highway 52 Water Plant Reservoir Dam repair
• Water System Pressure Engineering Study
• Water main replacement projects
• Continuation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Replacement project
• Emergency radios for crew trucks
• Electric crew bucket truck
• Electric crew line truck
• Meter testing equipment
• Right of way maintenance machinery
• Electric transmission line maintenance
• Funding to cover additional tax collection fees associated with the new values from the 2025 property reappraisal

“The proposed budget maintains a strong commitment to high quality service for our residents by strategically investing in public safety, infrastructure, and our workforce while balancing the challenges of rising costs,” said City Manager Todd Clark. “Through careful planning, we’ve been able to support additional firefighters and modernize equipment to serve our community today while building a strong foundation for the future.”

A public hearing on the recommended budget is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 2 at Albemarle City Hall.

Story updated 5/22/25 at 2:13pm

*Please note an earlier version of this story listed the public hearing date as June 5 instead of June 2.

Click the links below for more information about the proposed budget:

City Manager's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Message

Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget