WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A $702.5 million city budget proposal for fiscal year 2026-27 includes a higher property tax rate, increased utility fees and continued investments in public safety, employees and infrastructure.
City Manager W. Patrick Pate presented the spending plan to Mayor J. Allen Joines and the City Council on Monday. The proposal allocates $548 million for operations, $49.7 million for debt service and $104.8 million for capital improvements.
The plan is based on a property tax rate of 59.3 cents per $100 of assessed value, up 2.6 cents from the current rate. City officials estimate the increase would add about $5.50 per month for the median household, citing inflation and rising costs for public safety, salaries, pensions and health care…