I recently read a former colleague’s op-ed on Wilmington’s current budget discussions, and I’ll admit I was surprised less by the position taken and more by the level of generalization and the absence of key context. Ironically, I had shared not long ago that I missed aspects of his approach to leadership. This, however, is not one of them.

This budget season has been one of the most intense I’ve experienced. A proposed 5.75-cent property tax increase, roughly a 20% rate adjustment amounting to about $40 million over last year’s budget, understandably raises concern. It should. I feel that concern both personally and professionally.

What has not been absent from this process, however, is scrutiny. Not a single budget work session has occurred without extensive questioning, debate, and the presentation of alternative ideas. I won’t speak for every council member, but I can say confidently that there has been no shortage of inquiry or engagement. While I don’t agree with every proposal put forward, the notion that decisions are being made without challenge or consideration is simply inaccurate.

At the center of many budget discussions has been the balance of fiscal responsibility and the well-being of our community. And when I say community, I mean all of Wilmington.

Take the Skyline Center as an example. The city agreed to that purchase under terms that decision makers considered to be favorable. An important aspect of that discussion was to make the purchase without raising taxes. The previous council committed to selling surplus properties to offset the cost of that purchase, and staff have followed through on that commitment. Proceeds from those sales have gone toward reducing the principal of the loan, which reflects a fiscally responsible approach.

There has also been some characterization of the building that deserves clarification. The 12th floor is not “lavish living” at taxpayers’ expense. Council members do not occupy private luxury suites. In fact, most share modest office space, desks, tables, and basic furnishings. It is far closer to a collaborative, incubator-style environment than anything resembling extravagance.

Leasing activity, which initially performed well, has slowed due to unforeseen organizational changes. That said, the Skyline Center remains a desirable space, and I would encourage businesses to explore whether it’s a fit for their needs.

Other decisions have also been mischaracterized or taken out of context. For instance, the pause on selling parcels adjacent to the Live Oak Pavilion was made prior to the current council’s composition and was rooted in a simple principle: the City of Wilmington is not a real estate agency. At a time when many residents expressed concerns about overdevelopment, that perspective matters. It is also unrelated to the current budget proposal.

We also have to acknowledge cost pressures within city operations. The city has provided employee raises every year during my time on council, including an 18% increase last year. I am still awaiting clarity on the total cost of that increase, but it underscores an important reality: maintaining a strong workforce comes at a price, and those decisions directly impact the overall budget. This is a reality we continue to address.

These are complex issues. Budgets are built on projections, priorities, and trade-offs. There is no simple formula that satisfies every concern, which is why the process requires diligence, transparency, and, yes, debate.

Let me be clear: there is no concerted effort from me, or, in my view, from this council to be fiscally reckless or to unnecessarily burden taxpayers. I question spending decisions, I offer alternatives, and I advocate for solutions that make both social and financial sense. Whether those ideas always gain traction is another matter, but that does not diminish the responsibility to raise them.

Wilmington is growing. With that growth comes opportunity, but also strain. We are feeling the pressure that inevitably accompanies change. My concern is to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of the very people who call this city home.

That is why it is so important that we approach these conversations with full context and honest representation of the facts. Simplifying complex decisions or omitting key information does not serve the public. Our residents deserve a complete picture as we work through the challenges of growth, affordability, and responsible governance.

Kevin Spears is mayor pro tem of Wilmington, a member of the Wilmington City Council and an IT professional.