Murphy City Council Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Council convened at 6:00 PM to discuss FY27 budget reductions, the special events portfolio, and the pedestrian bridge project. They also confirmed their prior direction on the voter‑approval tax rate. After a budget‑themed icebreaker, the City Manager presented a list of potential program and service reductions totaling $245,610, from which the Council selected $176,960 in permanent cuts.

Budget Reduction Options

• The City Manager presented a three‑page list of recurring reduction options, emphasizing that proposed cuts were “nice‑to‑have” programs and would not be brought back.
• Council members debated each item, voting to keep most community‑facing programs (e.g., Citizens Academy, Fire Open House, National Night Out, Youth Police Academy) while eliminating or reducing others.
• Key decisions:
  • Kept: Citizens Academy, Keep Murphy Beautiful recycling events, Park & Rec month events, budget video (5 kept/1 opposed), Boards & Commissions dinner (reduced from $12,500 to $5,000 via gift cards), Fire Open House, Executive Retreat (reduced by $10,000 to $15,000), Council Retreat (reduced by $5,000), employee Field Day, Town Hall, tuition reimbursement, detective take‑home vehicle program, National Night Out, Citizens Police Academy.
  • Cut or reduced: Local option election ($25,000, non‑recurring, already dropped), Parks training ($5,000), budget video initially on bubble but kept; Boards & Commissions dinner reduced; employee relations field day kept; tuition reimbursement kept; challenge coin program ($2,000 reduction); second patrol officer position deferred (no new hire in FY27).
  • Total recurring reductions: $176,960.

Special Events Budget

• Events Director Matt presented the FY27 events budget, which reduces the number of events from 19 to 14 and cuts the budget from approximately $892,000 to $795,000 (an 11% reduction).
• Eliminated events: Hop & Hunt, Moonlight Movies, Scalbration (Halloween), Arbor Day (shifted to tree giveaway), Volunteer & Sponsor Banquet.
• Events on watch list for a third‑year evaluation: Food Truck Fridays, Backyard BBQ, and Jingle Jog.
• The City’s sponsorhip revenue and in‑kind contributions totaled $111,000 in FY26, exceeding the budgeted $55,000.

Pedestrian Bridge

• Engineer Donald presented three design options for the pedestrian bridge over SH 544:
  1. Basic design (bowstring arch, amber LED lighting, 8‑foot path, 18‑month schedule) – estimated $1.27 million.
  2. Improved design (same style, beefier arch, more steel) – estimated $4.5 million.
  3. Enhanced design (previously bid twisted arch with colored LEDs) – low bid was $5.6 million (over budget).
• Council unanimously selected the basic design as recommended by staff. The project still includes both bridges, connection to Maxwell Road, and amenities (landscaping, pillars, benches). Remaining budget is approximately $5 million; redesign will cost about $128,000. Any savings will remain in the MMD fund.

Tax Rate Confirmation

• The City Manager asked for clarity on the tax rate direction. Council confirmed that the prior direction to adopt the voter‑approval tax rate (3.5% increase) remains unchanged. The final budget will be presented on September 15, with the tax rate due to the county by noon on September 16.

Key Outcomes

• $176,960 in permanent budget reductions adopted for FY27, with most community programs preserved.
• Second patrol officer position deferred; no increase in police staffing for FY27.
• Special events budget cut by 11%, with five events eliminated.
• Pedestrian bridge design direction: basic bowstring arch with amber lighting, 18‑month schedule, moving forward to redesign.
• Voter‑approval tax rate reaffirmed; final budget adoption scheduled for September 15, 2026.