In Northwest Volusia, the Town of Pierson adopted a slim budget of roughly $2 million and maintained the same tax rate the Town Council agreed on last year.

With a smaller population and size than many other West Volusia municipalities, the town will operate next fiscal year on a budget that is approximately .2 percent of Volusia County’s budget.

Top of mind for the Pierson Town Council is the town’s ongoing plan to vacate its current Town Hall at 106 N. Center St. and move to a sprawling Town Center inside of the former Pierson Elementary School. While the Town Council budgeted $25,000 in the 2023 fiscal year for improvements to the campus, the 2024 budget includes just $10,000 as the move gets closer.

In the coming years, Town Council members expressed a desire to increase salaries for town employees.

“Lord, you can go to McDonald’s and get a job at $15 right off the bat,” Vice Mayor Robert F. Greenlund said during the town’s budget discussion last month.