In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., about the City of Dover's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which was presented to the City Council on Feb. 11, 2026. Joyal, presenting his 21st budget to the council, provides an overview of the 900-page document, which reflects total spending of $227.4 million across all funds, an overall increase of 8.9%. The general fund, supported by property taxes, is proposed at approximately $183 million.

Joyal highlights a notable development: for the first time, revenue from the downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district exceeds the amount needed to cover parking garage debt, allowing excess funds to flow into the general fund and help offset the property tax increase for all taxpayers. The proposed budget exceeds the tax cap by approximately $877,000, meaning adoption would require a two-thirds council vote. For the average residential property valued at $527,000, the overall tax bill increase would be roughly $365. Other significant budget items include school department funding, a COPS grant match for a police officer position, body-worn camera maintenance, increased street and infrastructure funding, the final year of the bag-and-tag program before converting to a toter system, and utility rate adjustments.

Joyal outlines the council's budget review schedule through the anticipated April 1st adoption date and encourages residents to stay engaged through public hearings, workshops, and online resources available at the city's Budget Revealed webpage.