Greene County adopts 2026-27 budget with lower property tax rate
SNOW HILL — The Greene County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget Monday, adopting a $27.1 million general fund and setting the county’s general fund property tax rate at 78.35 cents per $100 valuation.
County Manager Kyle DeHaven said the budget ordinance reflected changes commissioners requested during a prior meeting and budget workshop.
“The budget ordinance reflects the changes requested at the last commissioner’s meeting and the budget workshop,” DeHaven said. “The dates have been updated to reflect the 15th of June.”
DeHaven reminded commissioners that the budget will likely change during the fiscal year.
“Remember, this budget is going to change many, many times in the next fiscal year,” DeHaven said. “This is going to start.”
The general fund budget totals $27,195,273. The budget includes $18,719,218 in taxes and licenses, $2,381,181 in charges for services, $2,156,224 in social services program revenue and $1,623,336 in public health program revenue. The budget also appropriates $195,047 from fund balance.
Major general fund expenditures include $4,422,174 for Greene County Schools, $3,976,035 for Social Services, $2,671,021 for the Sheriff’s Office, $2,466,747 for EMS, $2,447,596 for Public Health and $2,283,975 for the jail.
Commissioner Derek Burress said he wanted to see a larger property tax reduction, but would continue working toward that goal next year.
“I’m not happy about how much we’re lowering this property tax,” Burress said. “I think I will work with Bobby and Ray to try to get it lower next year. So I’m going to hold my time for next year.”
Commissioner Ray Johnson said he appreciated the tax rate reduction and hoped the county could continue lowering the rate in future budgets.
“I do appreciate the small reduction that we did get,” Johnson said. “As y’all know, I will hopefully get another one, or we’ll get another one the next year or two going forward.”
Johnson described the adopted rate as a significant moment for the county.
“I appreciate the first property tax decrease, I think, probably in 25 years in Greene County, North Carolina,” Johnson said.
The budget ordinance also sets rates and fees for solid waste, inspections, planning and zoning, fire inspections, animal control, transportation, and water and sewer services.
The county’s solid waste fund totals $1,182,630. The ordinance keeps the household solid waste availability fee at $65 per residential unit and sets a $65 user fee for residential units in unincorporated areas and municipalities that do not provide municipal solid waste collection. The landfill tipping fee will be $46 per ton effective July 1.
The transportation fund totals $570,648, supported by operating grants. The water and sewer system totals $5,046,125, including $4,910,125 in customer charges.
Commissioners approved the budget ordinance by voice vote with no opposition heard.
