Breaking Down Dover's Budget: A Conversation with the City Manager about the FY2026 Plan

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. about Dover's FY2026 budget process and presentation. They discuss how the city's fiscal year runs from July to June, with taxes collected in December and June. Joyal explains that budget development is a year-round process, beginning with the Capital Improvements Program planning in the summer, which influences the operating budget developed in fall and winter. The proposed FY2026 budget totals $207,557,289, representing a 4.4% increase over the previous year, with a 5.2% increase for school appropriations and a 3.6% increase for non-school expenses. The budget, as presented, is $2,389,687 above the tax cap, requiring a two-thirds council vote for approval.

The conversation then shifts to Joyal's formal presentation to the City Council on Feb. 12, where he outlined the budget's strategic priorities: public safety, education, infrastructure maintenance, economic development, and fiscal stewardship. He explains that the average residential tax bill, based on a $524,000 home value, would increase by $578 (6%) to just over $10,000. The budget includes various adjustments, such as reallocating fire command staff to 24/7 duty coverage, increasing stormwater management funding, and absorbing the Solid Waste Special Revenue Fund into the general fund. Joyal concludes by detailing the upcoming budget review schedule, with workshops and public hearings running from February through early April, leading to the required adoption deadline of April 15.