City Gives Initial Approval to $94M Budget
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson City Council approved the first reading of a proposed $94 million budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year with no property tax increase.
According to City Manager David McCuen, the budget was guided by the city’s strategic plan which prioritizes advancing the quality of life for citizens, assuring sustainable growth and maintaining a focus on employees which provides a rewarding work experience.
Among the budget priorities based on these goals, the city’s new budget will provide for:
· The construction, and the purchase of equipment and two fire trucks for the new Fire Station 4 on the East-West Parkway.
· Three percent raises for all full-time and permanent part-time city employees beginning July 1.
· The addition of five new employees: City Planner, Building inspector, Horticulture crew worker, New Fire Department – (Opioid Recovery fund allowing 3 Community Paramedics) and an additional full-time Bus Driver to bring the Belton-Honea Path route in line with the full-day times of the other routes.
· Prioritizing parks, trails, & recreation including the Orr Streetscape, Church Street Pedestrian Plaza, Whitner Creek Greenway.
· Downtown development and revitalization.
· A significant raise in monthly sanitation fees per garbage cart serviced the next two years to cover increasing costs: July 1, 2026: $10.50 per cart. July 1, 2027: $15.50 per cart (a $5.00 monthly increase).
· Monthly sewer operations & maintenance (O&M) rates for the city’s utility partners (Anderson County and Homeland Park) will see incremental annual increases per 1,000 gallons to maintain a 100 percent cost recovery rate. Those rates were listed as: FY 2027 $5.47; FY 2028 $5.68; FY 2029 $5.90.
· The ability to automatically increase the budget with adjustments without requiring a supplemental budget ordinance if the city receives new grants or council-approved capital project fund allocations.
The city is demonstrating clear signs of economic expansion, as reflected in its latest revenue projections. Driven by ongoing development and new commercial projects within the city limits, property tax revenues are projected to reach $16,945,000, marking a $994,000 increase. This upward trajectory is further supported by business license revenues, which are expected to hit $12,965,000—a $585,000 increase over the previous year. Such financial indicators underscore Anderson's continued commercial vitality and steady municipal growth.
