‘You should be ashamed’: Leland council approves 17% property tax increase in new budget
After months of resident backlash, the Leland Town Council unanimously approved a 17% property tax rate increase in its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year during its regular meeting Thursday.
The approval came with little discussion by the council and followed dozens of public comments by concerned residents who begged the council to deny the proposed budget, which totaled $46 million and included a 4-cent increase to the property tax rate.
“You should be ashamed,” one resident shouted following the unanimous vote.
Earlier this year, town staff proposed the draft budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which originally included a 16-cent increase to the town’s property tax rate – bringing the rate up 70% from 23 cents per $100 in valuation to 39 cents.
Town staff argued the increase was necessary to fund various infrastructure projects in the rapidly growing town, but hundreds of residents voiced their opposition.
The Leland Town Council directed town staff to draft a new budget, this one keeping the property tax rate below 30 cents. Town Manager David Hollis presented a new draft budget in April, this one with a 4-cent increase to the property tax rate, a 17% increase to 27 cents.
Residents were not satisfied. Hundreds continued to show up to the council’s meetings and budget hearings, with many demanding a budget with no property tax rate increase.
“Taxation without representation was the battle cry of the Revolutionary War,” Rhonda Florian said Thursday. “It has become clear to the citizens of Leland that we have no representation on this council.”
Florian is a Brunswick Forest resident and founder of "Better Government 4 Leland," a group of residents opposing any tax increase.
Following over an hour of public comments, the five-member council cleared up some misconceptions and concerns the public had before moving forward with approving the budget unanimously.
“We are doing what we believe is best for the town and its future,” councilmember Veronica Carter said. “We’ll do what we have to do and you’ll do what you have to do.”
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The 2024-25 fiscal year begins June 1.
Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Leland Town Council approves tax hike in new budget
