The Florence City Council passed its budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, along with ordinances adjusting the budget and a related personnel amendment.
Mayor Julie Aubuchon shared details of the budget during a special meeting on June 17. General Fund revenues totaled $110,725,214, comprising the beginning fund balance of $58,364,014 and estimated revenues and transfers of $52,361,200. Expected general fund expenditures and transfers for the coming year are $64,722,438.
At the first reading of the budget on June 10, the mayor noted an increase in the operating budget by 10%. The continued rise of health and dental care costs over the past year contributed to the increase, along with a rise in bank fees and other costs.
The budget also reflects plans to fill new positions — a project manager for the new Transportation Improvement District (TID), a director of Human Resources and three new police officers.
She also listed details for other city funds, including municipal road aid, infrastructure, water and sewer fund, and other specific funds. The full budget with exhibits is available for examination at the city clerk’s office, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, during regular office hours, the mayor said.
Solar text amendments approved
In late March, the city proposed text amendments covering solar panels and battery storage facilities in the city. At the time, council members said they felt more citizen input was needed and scheduled a public meeting in April to hear from residents.
Questions and suggestions from residents were shared with the city’s planning and zoning committee, and the committee made a few minor revisions in response.
At an earlier caucus meeting, Director of Community Development Todd Morgan shared the revisions with the council.
The committee changed its definition of integrated solar systems. With the new language, integrated solar energy systems “are incorporated into the principal or accessory structure building materials, such that the structure and solar systems are reasonably indistinguishable, or where the solar materials are used in place of traditional building components, such that the solar energy system is structurally an integral part of the principal or accessory structure.”
Another language change noted that solar panels, when they are roof-mounted, must be flush-mounted on pitched roofs and positioned so as not to extend over the edge of any ridges, hip, valley or eve.
Council members Angie Cable and Lesley Chambers said they felt the regulations were still too strict and would discourage solar panel use in the city.
“I appreciate that we had a public hearing, and the community came out and spoke about this,” Cable said. “Some changes were made, but I still feel that the changes that were made still make it difficult and more costly for those who want solar.”
Council passed the ordinance with the changes in a 4 to 2 vote.
More zoning decisions
Council also approved a zoning map amendment for a change of concept development for the 122-room, four-story Wood Spring Suites hotel project. The request asked for a zoning change from suburban residential (SR-2/PD) and Office 2/Planned Development (O-2/PD) to Office 2/Planned Development for the entire site. The hotel will be located at 56-58 Cavalier Boulevard.
Council rejected a request for a change of concept for the .698 acre lot located on the south side of Burlington Pike, near the Burlington/Ewing Boulevard intersection. The request was to allow for a cabin/shed retailer and a flower shop on the site.