City Manager Michael Peoples rolled out Gastonia's recommended Fiscal Year 2027 budget on May 7, 2026, a $378.75 million spending plan that tries to keep the basics steady while pouring more money into infrastructure and employee pay. The proposal would hold both the property tax rate and the city's electric rate at current levels, while tweaking utility and solid-waste fees. City Council is slated to take up the package on June 2, and if it is adopted, the new fiscal year would kick in on July 1, 2026.
Budget highlights
The recommended plan totals $378.75 million, and Peoples bills it as a balanced blueprint that centers on street and park work, public safety and what he calls "investing in employees." The proposal spells out capital projects, ongoing operating obligations and a set of pay adjustments for city workers, all while aiming to keep core services intact. Those details are captured in the full budget document: FY 2027 Proposed Budget.
Utility rates and household bills
While the recommended budget leaves the property tax rate and electric rates alone, it does build in changes to water and sewer rates, solid waste fees and the GoGastonia transit program, which could nudge monthly bills for homes and businesses. The city highlighted those planned adjustments in a Facebook post that also points to the full release and supporting tables. For the summary and links to the numbers, see the City of Gastonia Government.
Employee pay and staffing
On the personnel side, the proposal would increase the city's payroll spending by more than $1.6 million, money slated for raises and step adjustments that officials say are meant to shore up hiring and retention. That bump shows up in the city's internal communications and in the compensation schedules inside the proposed budget. For a closer look at staffing changes and pay scales, the city points employees to its Employee Newsletter and related budget tables.
Council timeline and how to weigh in
City Council is scheduled to review and discuss the FY 2027 recommendation at its June 2 meeting. Council sessions are typically held the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Residents can check agendas, stream meetings and pull supporting documents from the city’s meetings page if they want to follow the debate or speak during the hearing. Information on dates, times and access is posted under Council Meeting Information, and the staff news release is carried on the city’s City News Source.
For anyone ready to dive into the fine print, the full FY 2027 proposed budget and supporting documents are available on the city’s website and linked from the news item and the Facebook announcement. According to city staff, the materials include tables that break out the proposed rate changes, department-by-department spending and the updated compensation schedule ahead of the June 2 council vote.
