A Message from Mayor Jess Anderson

GOVERNMENT

Chapel Hill community,

As Town Council heads into the final five weeks of our spring session, I wanted to check in and share a few updates on what we’ve been working on.

2026–27 Budget

Last Wednesday, May 6, Town Manager Ted Voorhees presented his recommended budget for Council to consider:

At a high level, the proposed budget for next year:

• Keeps the Town property tax rate the same
• Totals $169.7 million — a 3.4% increase over this year
• Includes a 4% of market raise to pay employees competitively, recruit and retain talented workers
• Adds $544k to address rising operational costs  
• Invests an additional $1 million in repairs and maintenance for Town facilities, infrastructure, public safety equipment, and vehicle replacement

To learn more about how this budget was created and the underlying goals it supports, please:

• Watch the short 13-minute video presentation
• Visit the 2026/27 Budget page on Engage Chapel Hill, where you can share your questions and feedback.

Also – please mark your calendar for upcoming budget meetings:

• Council Work Session: Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. at the Library
• Public Hearing: Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall

We hope you’ll stay informed and share your thoughts and questions — either in person on May 20 or by email at mayorandcouncil@chapelhillnc.gov.

Library Funding

In the past week or two, we have learned that Orange County is considering a proposal to phase out total funding of $621,323 for Chapel Hill Public Library over two years.  Half would be cut during fiscal year 2027 and the remaining half during fiscal year 2028.  If approved, these cuts would have a significant impact on library operations and its users. 

The Board of County Commissioners will be holding a public hearing on the budget on Tuesday, May 12th with a budget work session scheduled for May 14th.  For more information, please visit the Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library webpage.   

Town Charter Update

On April 29, Council held a public hearing on two proposed Charter changes: reducing Council size from nine members to seven and extending future mayoral terms from two years to four.

The goal of both proposals was to help Town government work more effectively and move initiatives forward more efficiently while maintaining a diverse board. Community members who spoke at the hearing expressed opposition to both proposals. After hearing that feedback, Council voted not to move forward with either proposal.  We will continue to look for ways to serve the Chapel Hill community effectively and efficiently.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming weeks, Council will be setting the stage for several important decisions in the fall that will shape Chapel Hill’s future, including:

• Chapel Hill’s Town’s Climate Action & Response Plan on May 20, and
• the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) rewrite on June 17.

As always, I’ll continue to keep you informed as this work moves forward and encourage you to share your ideas and questions with us.

In the meantime, as we say goodbye to students heading off for the summer, I hope you’ll continue supporting our local businesses, enjoying the slower pace downtown, and taking time to appreciate the people and places across town that make Chapel Hill such a special community.

Warmly, Mayor Jess