On June 12, 2025, the Indian Trail Town Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (FY 26) budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1, 2025.

The budget is a statement of the Town’s priorities and a financial plan for funding those priorities. The following six priorities help guide the Town: Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development, Town Infrastructure, Human Capital, and Capital Improvement Projects.

The Town Council voted to balance the FY 26 budget with a tax rate of 17 cents per $100 of valuation to help offset the property tax impact for residents due to the recent property revaluations. This reduced the tax rate from 18.5 cents in FY 25.

The Town of Indian Trail remains in excellent financial condition. The Town maintains its AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, which is the highest rating a municipality can receive. The Town also has an Aa1 bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service. The FY 26 budget continues the Town’s tradition of conservative budgeting and fiscal restraint.

FY 26 Budget Funding Sources

• The General Fund is balanced at $26,620,509 using the 17-cent tax rate. No fund balance was appropriated.
  1. While the General Fund increased by 13.3% over FY25, there was a 4.5% reduction in the Operations Budget.
• The Powell Bill fund is $2,035,000 and the Stormwater fund is $3,866,795.
• The Capital Reserve/Debt Service is $4,883,077.
• American Rescue Plan Act: During FY 25, the Town fully obligated the remaining ARPA funds for Stormwater projects. The unrestricted interest funds earned in FY 26 will be allocated to the Community Center.
• State Capital Infrastructure Funds: $10,300,000
  1. $10,000,000 for transportation (In progress)
  2. $250,000 for parks and recreation (Completed)
  3. $50,000 for economic development (Completed)
• NC Regional Economic Development Reserve Fund:
  1. $250,000 for parks and recreation, with a priority on pickleball

Highlights of the FY 26 Budget Include:

• Advancing the Town Council’s Strategic Priorities:
  1. Funds three additional employees, one sergeant and two deputies, for the Indian Trail Division of the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
  2. Continues funding for the CATS Union County 74X Express Bus over the next five years.
  3. Funds $1 million in Old Monroe Road improvements to coincide with NCDOT’s road widening project.
  4. Continues work on nearly $40 million of capital projects, including transportation and parks & recreation projects.
  5. Maintains Capital Reserve/Debt Service funding to pay for large-scale projects.
• Continuing to invest in employees:
  1. Funds a 0-3% merit pool and a 2% COLA with a $1,000 minimum.
  2. Realizes a 16% decrease in health insurance costs.
  3. Adds a paid Parental Leave policy.
  4. Increases the HRA reimbursement from $1,000 to $1,500.
  5. Funds a state-required .75% increase to the state retirement system. Employees are required to contribute 6% of their salary.
  6. Reclassifies the Senior Accountant to the Assistant Finance Director.

The Town did not add any new personnel positions in FY 26.

Capital Projects

Funded Projects

The Town has several fully funded capital projects, including the Chestnut Square Park access road, Indian Trail Complete Street Phase 1, Chestnut Parkway Phase 3, Southfork Crooked Creek Greenway, and Chestnut Square Park Phase 2, totaling $38,089,437.

Unfunded Projects

Additionally, the Town has several unfunded capital projects, including the Indian Trail Complete Street Phase 2, Public Works Facility, Multi-generational Community Center, and sidewalk connection projects.

With the FY 26 budget approved, the Council will need to review the unfunded capital project list, identify which projects should move forward, and determine funding strategies.

Budget Book

Once complete, the FY 26 approved budget book will be available on the Town’s website. In the meantime, you can view the FY 26 budget ordinance at https://bit.ly/FY26BudgetOrdinance or the recommended FY 26 budget at https://bit.ly/FY26RecommendedBudget. There were no changes from the recommended budget. The FY 26 budget was adopted as presented at the 17-cent tax rate.

If you have any questions about the FY 26 budget or the Town’s finances in general, please contact Finance Director Alicia Massey at amm@indiantrail.org or 704-821-5401.