Carrboro’s FY 2026 – 27 Budget and Residents’ Reactions

On May 12, Carrboro’s Town Manager, Patrice Toney, presented Carrboro’s Mayor and Town Council with a balanced budget. State law requires Carrboro Town Council to adopt a balanced budget with anticipated revenue equal to or greater than planned expenditures by the end of June each year. The proposed budget is summarized in the graphic (above) but also includes a 45% cut to Human Services.

Carrboro residents gave feedback on the budget at the Town Council meeting on May 19. Among those commenting, Julie McClintock represented The Friends of Bolin Creek to oppose funding for a creek-side greenway citing environmental constraints and existing alternative routes. Housing and Human Services Commission Chair, Imani Williams, urged Council to reverse the 45% cut to Human Services, citing repercussions of limited funding and rising demand, including reduced support, longer waitlists, and diminished response to community crises. 

When closing the public hearing, Mayor Foushee explained that unexpected cost increases to maintain core government functions were behind the proposed cut to Human Services. She cited full funding for Human Services as the goal and emphasized that the Council was exploring options to restore it. 

An additional public feedback session is scheduled for June 2 during the Council meeting at Town Hall at 6pm.

For more information about how the Town budget is made, listen to The Carrborean’s interview with Damon Seils, former Mayor of Carrboro and Catherine Fray, Carrboro Town Council Member, on The Carrborean Radio Hour, April 27.

Council Member Fray listed these ways for residents to give input on the budget any time throughout the year:

• Email the finance director (listed in the budget and on the website),
• Email any council member, the mayor, or the whole council,
• Reach out to the town manager, or
• Talk with the town clerk, who can record and share comments.

“When you send in an email, that’s a public comment just as much as something you might say in a meeting. Whether you come in person, send an email, call on the phone, or talk to someone face to face—those are all ways you can give input.” 

Residents can view the proposed budget here.