Leland Town Council receives update on budget proposal

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — On Monday, Leland Town Council received an update from staff for their 2024-2025 fiscal budget.  

The update lays out adjustments to the budget after the town lowered a proposed tax increase from 39 cent to 27 cent following resident pushback.   

While the updated budget still includes that proposed smaller increase, some residents at the meeting were frustrated with the council’s decision to enter a closed session for an hour and a half at the beginning of the meeting.

“They’re just trying to run us down to make sure that we’re not going to sit here and wait for them, so they’re running the clock and it’s frustrating. People are coming out, they’re showing their frustration,” Leland resident Barbara Baumgarten said. 

Baumgarten added that although she wants the lowest tax rate possible, she feels that some residents will still be unhappy with what gets cut from the budget.  

“I don’t think that people are going to agree with where they’re looking to make those cuts,” she said.  

Similar sentiments of frustration were echoed by other residents at the meeting.  

“We’re not going to give up. We’re still going to be here and we’re still going to watch what you’re doing, and we’re still going to fight if we have to,” resident Patricia Napolitano said. 

“I intend to stand with the residents of Leland to see what we can do to bring things in a range where we can all live peacefully and be happy as citizens,” resident Dorothy Carroll added. 

During the meeting, the town council stated that the closed session was to consult with the town attorney, explore economic development opportunities, and discuss personnel matters. Council will present a new budget at their next meeting on Thursday.  

We reached out to the town for comment, a spokeswoman noted the closed session at the beginning of the meeting is the standard schedule for all agenda meetings.