By Miles Layton

WINFALL — The Town of Winfall has adopted its budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, approving $1,206,593 in spending while lowering the property tax rate by nearly a quarter, even as sewer rates rise to cover increasing water treatment costs.

Before we get into our story, for folks that don’t know – Windfall is a small town in Perquimans County – as I view it, a short hop from Hertford across the S-Bridge, a bridge that’s different from the old S-Bridge.

Winfall’s population is around 500+ people with a historic district and some nice houses. Quiet place. Serene. See a video drive-thru here. Went to a church service there a few years ago. And this guy visited there to make a speech — see our story — he’s now a state senator.  

A prominent civil rights advocate and local leader, Fred Yates was mayor there for 30 years or so until he retired in 2023 — passed away in August of 2025.  See our story here.  

And you need to go through Winfall up NC 37 to travel to Belvidere for a cold drink and maybe some chips at Layden’s Supermarket before heading the back way – the scenic way – to Gates County. Always take the back roads.     

Back to the budget — that’s posted at the end of the story — Mayor Preston T. White signed the budget ordinance on June 8, enacting a tax rate of $0.395 per $100 of property valuation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. According to the ordinance, the rate “is based on a total valuation of property for the purposes of taxation of $62,905,695 and an estimated collection rate of 96.45%.”

In his budget message to the Town Council, Commissioner and Budget Officer Ronald Smirlock said the plan “was built with a focus on aligning budget priorities, investment of reserve funds and growth to the goals of the governing body.” He noted that “the FY26-27 budget continues the Town’s commitment to maintaining or increase service levels while being cost conscious,” adding that the town is “pleased to be able to lower the tax rate to $.395/$100 valuation – a 24% tax reduction for our residents.”

That relief comes alongside rising utility costs. “However, due to increases in our water treatment costs, there are increases in sewer rates as presented below,” Smirlock wrote. Under the new rate schedule, the residential sewer base rate rises from $47.50 to $50.00 per month, while small and large non-residential customers will see their base rates climb to $150.00 and $350.00 per month, respectively — part of what the budget message describes as a measure that “establishes new commercial rate classification for sewer charges.” Sewer usage charges also increase across all tiers, with the top usage bracket doubling from $16.00 to $32.00 per 1,000 gallons. Garbage collection rates remain flat at $15.00 per month, with the message specifying “no increase for garbage collection.”

The budget message outlined several other priorities funded in the plan, including funding for “ordinance enforcement and increased patrols for public safety,” a “3% cost of living increase for Town Officials and employees recognizing the valuable work our staff does for the citizens we serve,” and an “$18,500 Town match for the fire grant.” Capital spending includes “$40,000 for capital projects, $15,000 for drainages upgrades and $5,000 for a vehicle for Roads & Grounds.” The town will also pursue “safe investment of Town reserve funds, adding $32,000 in revenue.”

The adopted budget is split between two funds. The General Fund totals $698,516, covering General Government ($340,672), Public Safety ($85,397), Roads & Grounds ($218,008), Sanitation ($43,200) and Debt Service ($11,239). Revenue for the General Fund is projected from sources including Real Property Taxes ($239,657), Sales Tax ($227,530), Motor Vehicle Taxes/Tag Fees ($42,215) and $52,054 in appropriated fund balance.

The Sewer Fund totals $508,077.16, with appropriations for the Sewer Operations Department ($168,609.77), Sewer Maintenance Department ($183,969.25), debt service ($45,498.14), a $50,000 transfer to the AIA Grant, and $60,000 set aside for capital reserve. That fund will be supported by $351,577.16 in sewer usage charges, a $100,000 loan, and a $50,000 AIA grant.

The ordinance also sets administrative ground rules for managing the budget through the year. The Budget Officer may transfer funds “between line item expenditures within a department without limitation,” provided such changes “must not result in increases in recurring obligations such as salaries,” while transfers between departments are capped at $1,000 and must be reported to the Governing Board at its next meeting. Transfers between funds altogether “require prior approval by the Governing Board in an amendment to the Budget Ordinance.”

In closing his budget message, Smirlock thanked the council and town staff for their work on the proposal. “Putting this budget together took a lot of careful planning and hard work from both your Town Council and our staff,” he wrote. “Through it all, our main focus has been you—making sure every single decision we make benefits the people who call Winfall home.”

The ordinance was certified by Town Clerk Valerie Jackson.

Winfall — thanks for keeping me posted! Have a good Fourth of July!

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