Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget

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The Town Manager presented the fiscal year 2026-2027 recommended budget to the Town Council on May 6, 2026. This year’s budget is the next step in aligning our financial plan with the newly established Council goals and strategic priorities, maintaining a focus on long-term fiscal stability, and delivering high-quality services for our community.

Watch the video presentation here:


Key Takeaways:

  • Total FY 2027 recommended budget is $169.7 million
  • 3.4% increase over the prior year
  • General Fund accounts for roughly $99.8 million
  • No property tax rate increase
  • Rate of 50.0 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Council Goals & Strategic Priorities:

The Council’s four strategic priority areas shaped the FY 2027 budget.

  1. Complete Community – Framework to advance thoughtful growth, more connected neighborhoods, and implementation of key mobility and land use plans. This includes progressing the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) update and moving forward elements of the Everywhere to Everywhere (E2E) plan.
  2. Environmental Resiliency – Strengthening the Town’s ability to prepare for and withstand climate and infrastructure stresses by implementing the stormwater plan, expanding sustainable facility strategies (solar storage, EV charging), and continuing early flood warning sensor deployment.
  3. Housing – Expanding a diverse, attainable, and sustainable housing supply through continued implementation of the Affordable Housing Strategy and Investment Plan, development of a Public Housing Repositioning Plan, and homelessness response in partnership with the towns, Orange County, and the University.
  4. Organizational & Fiscal Sustainability – Ensuring the long-term health of the organization by aligning staffing and equipment needs with capacity, using data to review services, and applying the five-year budget outlook to guide strategic investments.

The FY27 budget approach is grounded in four commitments:

  • Supporting our employees with competitive compensation and sustainable benefits.
  • Funding and strengthening our core municipal services.
  • Advancing Council’s strategic goals.
  • Progressing toward fiscal sustainability, guided by the five-year budget outlook.

This page provides our community with an opportunity to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and share your feedback. Staff will monitor the page and provide the Mayor and Council with a weekly report on site activity.

The Town Manager presented the fiscal year 2026-2027 recommended budget to the Town Council on May 6, 2026. This year’s budget is the next step in aligning our financial plan with the newly established Council goals and strategic priorities, maintaining a focus on long-term fiscal stability, and delivering high-quality services for our community.

Watch the video presentation here:


Key Takeaways:

  • Total FY 2027 recommended budget is $169.7 million
  • 3.4% increase over the prior year
  • General Fund accounts for roughly $99.8 million
  • No property tax rate increase
  • Rate of 50.0 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Council Goals & Strategic Priorities:

The Council’s four strategic priority areas shaped the FY 2027 budget.

  1. Complete Community – Framework to advance thoughtful growth, more connected neighborhoods, and implementation of key mobility and land use plans. This includes progressing the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) update and moving forward elements of the Everywhere to Everywhere (E2E) plan.
  2. Environmental Resiliency – Strengthening the Town’s ability to prepare for and withstand climate and infrastructure stresses by implementing the stormwater plan, expanding sustainable facility strategies (solar storage, EV charging), and continuing early flood warning sensor deployment.
  3. Housing – Expanding a diverse, attainable, and sustainable housing supply through continued implementation of the Affordable Housing Strategy and Investment Plan, development of a Public Housing Repositioning Plan, and homelessness response in partnership with the towns, Orange County, and the University.
  4. Organizational & Fiscal Sustainability – Ensuring the long-term health of the organization by aligning staffing and equipment needs with capacity, using data to review services, and applying the five-year budget outlook to guide strategic investments.

The FY27 budget approach is grounded in four commitments:

  • Supporting our employees with competitive compensation and sustainable benefits.
  • Funding and strengthening our core municipal services.
  • Advancing Council’s strategic goals.
  • Progressing toward fiscal sustainability, guided by the five-year budget outlook.

This page provides our community with an opportunity to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and share your feedback. Staff will monitor the page and provide the Mayor and Council with a weekly report on site activity.

  • Capital & Maintenance Funding Snapshots

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  • How to share feedback

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    1. Attend the Public Hearing

    • May 20 at Town Hall at 6 p.m.
    • You can sign up to speak for 3 minutes

    2. Email mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov

    3. Ask your questions on this site. We'll share your questions and comments with the Mayor and Council every week.

    1. Attend the Public Hearing

    • May 20 at Town Hall at 6 p.m.
    • You can sign up to speak for 3 minutes

    2. Email mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov

    3. Ask your questions on this site. We'll share your questions and comments with the Mayor and Council every week.

  • Budget Discussion on 5/13

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    The Mayor and Council will discuss the FY27 budget at their upcoming work session on May 13. You can find the materials for the agenda item here.

    • Date: May 13, 2026
    • Time: 6 p.m.
    • Location: Chapel Hill Library meeting room B
    • Work sessions are open to the public, but there is no public comment period.

    The Mayor and Council will discuss the FY27 budget at their upcoming work session on May 13. You can find the materials for the agenda item here.

    • Date: May 13, 2026
    • Time: 6 p.m.
    • Location: Chapel Hill Library meeting room B
    • Work sessions are open to the public, but there is no public comment period.
Page last updated: 18 May 2026, 07:57 AM