The Town of Hillsborough begins Fiscal Year 2027 on July 1. The new year marks the first day of fee and rate changes and funding assignments approved in the town’s adopted budget.

The budget plans the town’s expenses for operations and capital projects. It includes increased stormwater fees and water and sewer rates.

“Hillsborough’s FY27 budget continues our strategy of using a multi-year outlook to anticipate future financial conditions while taking care of what we have in the upcoming year,” Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell said. “The budget balances support for community services and capital projects but with a flat economic outlook in the short-term future. Hillsborough’s budget is aligned with our strategic goals, which is guided by our comprehensive sustainability plan to meet the needs of our residents and businesses so the town as a whole can prosper.”

Budget

Operational expenses total:

• $19.5 million in the General Fund.
• $15.8 million in the Water and Sewer Fund.
• $1.2 million in the Stormwater Fund.

The budget sets the following:

• Property Tax Rate ― 51.3 cents per $100 of property value (no change).
• Stormwater Fee ― $120 per year for residential properties. This tier increased by $15. Nonresidential tiers increased proportionally.
• Water and Sewer Rates ― 7.5% increase. Per 1,000 gallons, water and sewer service has a combined increase of $2.24 in town and $4.36 out of town.

For all rates and fees, see the Fees and Charges Schedule.

Tourism Budgets

The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners also approved the following operating budgets:

• $587,481 for the Tourism Board.
• $141,050 for the Tourism Development Authority.

Local Arts

The Board of Commissioners allocated $15,000 to the Hillsborough Arts Council, $2,800 less than requested. Commissioners requested the town’s tourism boards help to fully fund the requests from local arts groups. From the town and its tourism boards, local arts received:

• Hillsborough Arts Council — $117,800, meeting the total request.
• Orange County Arts Commission — $20,000, meeting the total request.

More Information

The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners adopted the budget on June 8. The town held a public hearing on May 18 and budget work sessions on May 18 and 27.

The budget assigns funds to replace and improve assets that support existing town operations, including funding for replacing police, public works and utilities vehicles and resurfacing streets in town. It also contains increases in operations to address inflation.

Other highlights include:

• A continued effort to better meet the need for affordable housing. 
• Saving for major projects, including constructing a future greenway and replacing the downtown fire station and aging fire vehicles.

The fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. Questions? Contact Hillsborough Budget Director Emily Bradford by email or by phone at 919-296-9427.

Resources

• Budget at a Glance
• Budget Message
• Budget Ordinance
• Budget and Finances page
• Stormwater Fees page
• Tax Rates and Compliance page
• Water and Sewer Rates page