The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners adopted a right-sized budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 during its June 9 meeting, approving a spending plan that preserves essential services, funds critical road projects, maintains the current property tax rate, and reduces spending by more than half a million dollars from the Town Manager’s original recommendation.
The budget vote capped months of work by town staff, the Board of Commissioners, and department leaders who scrutinized spending requests and searched for opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing core services or infrastructure priorities.
A Budget Built on Fiscal Discipline
The most significant action of the evening was the unanimous adoption of the Board’s preferred budget alternative, which reduced spending by approximately $511,000 while maintaining the current tax rate of 29 cents per $100 of assessed value. The approved budget totals approximately $26.47 million, down from the original recommendation of nearly $27 million.
The reductions significantly lowered the amount of fund balance needed to balance the budget, helping preserve financial flexibility for future years.
The savings were achieved through careful review across multiple departments, including reductions in administrative contingency spending, legal expenses, parks and recreation expenditures, information technology purchases, travel, training, and deferred hardware replacements. The goal of making event costs more sustainable began with cutting out shuttle services – we couldn’t justify spending north of $40k when so few people use them.
Commissioners Push for Additional Savings
Throughout the budget process, commissioners consistently challenged staff to identify savings opportunities while preserving the services residents expect.
The BOC praised staff for responding to those requests and returning with meaningful reductions.
Several commissioners noted that the budget process involved multiple work sessions, special meetings, and extensive collaboration between elected officials and staff. The consensus around the dais was that the final product represented a thoughtful balance between fiscal responsibility and the need to continue investing in the town’s future.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the importance of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and continuing to look for efficiencies throughout town operations. The Board also encouraged staff to continue pursuing operational improvements in future budget cycles.
Investing in Roads and Infrastructure
While the operating budget received most of the attention, commissioners also approved nearly $6 million in capital improvements funded through reserves accumulated over many years.
Projects funded through the Capital Improvement Program include:
- Pine Oak signal improvements
- NC 16/Broome intersection improvements
- Kensington road and connectivity projects
- Helms Road extension planning and right-of-way work
- Additional transportation and signal projects throughout town
These investments reflect the Board’s continued focus on transportation infrastructure and congestion relief.
Commissioners noted that road projects continue to consume a large portion of Waxhaw’s capital spending and renewed calls for additional state assistance with transportation funding. At the same time, several members emphasized the importance of controlling the town’s own destiny by continuing to invest in critical infrastructure when outside funding is unavailable.
Restoring Prayer Before Meetings
The meeting also included public comments regarding the town’s practice of opening Board of Commissioners meetings with a moment of silence rather than a prayer.
Several residents spoke in favor of restoring an opening prayer before meetings. One speaker cited a speech by Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention and noted that legislative bodies at the federal, state, and local levels commonly begin their sessions with prayer. He encouraged the Board to return to the practice that existed in Waxhaw prior to 2019.
Another resident shared a personal testimony about recovering from a stroke and expressed her belief in the power of prayer, urging the Board to seek God’s wisdom and guidance before conducting public business.
The Board also received two written comments supporting the reinstatement of an opening prayer. One referenced the historical tradition of legislative prayer dating back to the Continental Congress, while another asked the Board to replace the current moment of silence with a formal prayer before meetings.
Following public comments, Commissioner Daunt acknowledged the requests and stated that the issue was something the Board had wanted to address and should have considered earlier in the year. He requested that the topic be placed on the agenda for the Board’s next work session so commissioners could discuss the possibility of adding prayer to the opening ceremonies. Other commissioners agreed that the subject warranted further discussion and indicated that it would be scheduled for a future agenda.
As a result, the issue is expected to return for formal discussion at the upcoming June 23 Board work session, where commissioners can consider modification of the town’s current practice of beginning meetings with a moment of silence.
Merit Pay Strategy Approved
The Board also approved a new merit pay strategy designed to ensure employee performance rewards are applied consistently and tied to measurable results.
The new system establishes a structured process for allocating merit increases from the budgeted 2% departmental merit pools and includes calibration meetings to ensure consistency across departments. Future versions of the program may also incorporate performance metrics tied directly to Board priorities and strategic goals.
Commissioners described the approach as consistent with performance-based systems commonly used in the private sector.
Additional Actions
The Board also:
- Approved several minor Land Development Code text amendments that do not encourage residential density.
- Repealed the town’s animal licensing ordinance, eliminating an administrative process now largely handled through county rabies requirements.
- Updated Board rules of procedure to formally codify the town’s existing practice of not taking action immediately following public hearings.
- Adopted a resolution supporting local control over planning, zoning, development regulations, and stormwater management.
- Approved an agreement with Union County Library to install a library book pickup and drop-off unit at the Learning Center, improving access to library services in southern Waxhaw.
Looking Ahead
The June 9 meeting demonstrated that fiscal conservatism and strategic investment are not mutually exclusive.
By challenging staff to find efficiencies, reducing the proposed budget by more than half a million dollars, maintaining the current tax rate, and continuing to fund critical infrastructure projects, the Board delivered a budget that reflects both responsible stewardship and long-term planning.
The result is a budget that is not merely larger because Waxhaw is growing—it is a budget that has been carefully examined, refined, and right-sized for the needs of the community.