Heating up is ’26 fiscal-yr BOMA Town budget talks
As Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen heads into its fiscal year 2026 budget season, it learned more about pending Capital Investment projects for its upcoming year and beyond during a workshop session before its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 27.
The funds were broken down for the workshops, but Town administrator David Smoak said the Board will have the entire budget by the May and June time periods. They are expected to pass the budget as an ordinance in June so it will start July 1.
“The Capital Investment Program for the Town is our six-year funding program,” Smoak said. “Think about large projects. Think anything that’s over $25,000 that we want to plan for, either this year or in future years, and make sure we are funding accordingly to make sure we have enough money for those projects as they come up in the future.
“The Municipal Budget Law of 1982 requires us to adopt an annual budget every year, as well as a Capital Investment budget,” he added
According to a budget draft, the CIP’s beginning balance for FY 2026 is $16.5 million. An estimated $12.1 million is planned for in 2027, $4.886 million in 2028, $4.6 million in 2029, $5.25 million in 2030 and $6.7 million in 2031.
The CIP is broken down into types of projects: general government, with $2,595,000 projected for projects over the next six years; parks and recreation, with $4,780,000 projected projects; and transportation and infrastructure with $37,707,000 projected for six years.
For 2026, Smoak said the Board is looking at budgeting $300,000 each year for land acquisition, which includes purchase of easements, right-of-way, land for parks, road and other capital improvement projects.
Another 2026 project involves installing security cameras at Mayor Bob Leonard, McFee, Founders and Anchor Parks for $295,000.
Also in the parks, a project to reconstruct the sand volleyball complex at MBLP is estimated at $50,000 and resurfacing McFee Park’s tennis courts, $40,000. Another park item slated for the 2026 budget is the McFee Road property with $75,000 set aside for land right-of-way acquisitions and $75,000 for design and engineering. In 2027, the budget shows a project to add a pavilion and restrooms at McFee Park for $535,000; replacing the softball diamond outfield fencing between the park and railroad, $175,000; and replacing the current Anchor Park playground with an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible one, $300,000.
Among the many transportation and infrastructure projects, $400,000 for stormwater improvements are budgeted for each year. Also, $250,000 is set aside for adaptive traffic signal upgrades in the FY’26 budget, and $150,000 for illuminated street signs are in the draft budget for 2026 and 2027.
It also includes funding for a traffic light at the Campbell Station/Jamestowne Boulevard intersection.
