Morganton adopts $94 million budget with higher utility, garbage fees

Morganton City Council unanimously approved an approximately $94 million budget on June 27 for the fiscal year that began July 1. The adopted plan keeps the city’s property-tax rates unchanged while increasing several utility and household charges.

Under the adopted budget, volumetric water-and-sewer rates rise 2.5% and electric rates rise 2.6%. Residential garbage collection increases from $12 to $14 per month beginning August 1, 2026.

The utility changes are rate adjustments, not a guarantee that every customer’s total bill will rise by the same percentage. Actual bills will depend on factors such as water use, electricity consumption, account type and other billing details.

Property-tax rates remain unchanged

The general city property-tax rate remains 50 cents per $100 of assessed value. The downtown service-district rate remains 12 cents per $100.

Unchanged rates do not mean every property owner’s total tax bill will stay the same. Individual bills can change when assessed values change, and properties in the downtown service district are subject to the additional district rate.

Capital spending includes facilities and public works

About $20 million is budgeted for capital projects and purchases. The planned spending includes public-safety and public-works equipment, courthouse repairs, parking, planning for a renovation of CoMMA and stormwater-system planning.

These are budgeted or allocated plans, not evidence that all of the work has been completed. Individual projects may move forward on separate schedules during the fiscal year.

What changes when

The fiscal year began July 1, but the residential garbage-fee increase takes effect August 1. The clearest immediate household change is the additional $2 per month for eligible residential garbage service.

Businesses and other utility customers may also see higher charges under the adopted water-and-sewer and electric rate changes. The practical effect will vary based on usage, account details and service eligibility.

Morganton’s adopted budget keeps the city’s tax-rate schedule steady while shifting some costs through utility and garbage-fee increases and directing capital money toward public services, facilities, equipment and long-term infrastructure planning.

Sources

• The Paper budget report
• City of Morganton tax-rate information