Lenoir County Board of Commissioners approves FY2025–26 budget with increase of property taxes
The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved the county’s Fiscal Year 2025–2026 operating and capital budget following a brief public hearing during which no residents spoke. The approved budget includes an increase of more than $3,000,000 in Ad Valorem tax revenues.
The adopted budget sets the county’s property tax rate at 67.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value, a modest reduction from the current rate. However, a proposed amendment to lower the rate further — to the revenue-neutral figure of 63.94 cents — was narrowly defeated.
Commissioner Eric S. Rouse introduced the amendment to adopt the revenue-neutral rate, citing the principle of minimizing taxpayer burden following the county’s recent property revaluation. The amendment was seconded by Commissioner J. Mac Daughety, but failed in a 3-4 vote with Rouse, Daughety and Commissioner Keith King as the three who voted for it.
Following the amendment’s defeat, the Board approved the original budget proposal and the 67.5-cent tax rate on a 4-3 vote.
"As promised, I voted for the absolute revenue-neutral rate of 63.94 cents and against the adopted rate of 67.5," Daughety said in a public statement following the meeting.
General Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The adopted budget includes funding for a range of initiatives and infrastructure improvements, including:
Approval of fireworks displays in Deep Run (June 28) and LaGrange (July 6)
Acceptance of a $4,000 grant from West Pharmaceutical to support 4-H summer programs
A $28,895 purchase order to replace the HVAC system at the county’s call center
Budget amendments for DSS and General Fund reconciliations totaling more than $1.2 million
The Board also passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday in Lenoir County and also offered support for a therapy K-9 for the Sheriff’s Office.
The final vote on the budget and tax rate marks the conclusion of the county’s annual fiscal planning process and reflects both ongoing service needs and recent increases in assessed property values. While the adopted tax rate is lower than the previous year’s, some residents may still see higher bills depending on how their property values changed.
The new fiscal year begins July 1.
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