Half-cent tax increase, water, sewer fee bumps proposed in Hickory to invest in water systems

Hickory’s property taxes, sewer, water and solid waste fees may increase next year. The city plans to use the money to make improvements to water and sewer systems.

Hickory City Manager Warren Wood presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 at Tuesday night’s Hickory City Council meeting.

In the presentation, Wood spoke about the city’s need to invest in water and sewer infrastructure.

“It’s a monumental night,” Wood said at the start of the meeting. “If approved, this will set our water and sewer system up for serving future generations.”

Wood’s $159 million budget recommended a 10% increase to the city’s budget above the current fiscal year. The general fund would increase by 6.6% to $78,877,527 and the water and sewer fund would increase by 7.4% to $41,696,303.

The pro