A proposed budget in Alamance County aims to meet a projected $13 million shortfall by raising property taxes.
On Monday, Alamance County Manager Heidi York presented the staff’s recommended budget, which would raise property taxes by 2.25 cents per $100 of assessed value. For the average homeowner (assuming a property value of $289,000), the tax hike would raise their property tax bill by about $65 annually or a little over $5 a month. The move is projected to generate $142.6 million in revenue for the county.
Unless county leaders make further cuts or implement even higher taxes, the proposed budget is a $278.6 million spending plan – a 3% decrease from last year.
In a recent Community Feedback survey conducted by the county, 48% of respondents said they supported a property tax increase if it meant maintaining current service levels, while 32% opposed it.
“Back in 2023, we did that revaluation, and we cut the tax 22 cents,” Commissioner Sam Powell said during Monday’s meeting. “We’re behind, and we haven’t caught up yet. And I think that that is the reason that we are in the position we find ourselves in this year.”
If approved in June, the proposed property tax would be the fourth annual increase in Alamance County since 2023. The tax rate proposed, however, still sits below what the county levied between 2016 and 2022.
During her presentation, York explained that the county, like others across the state, is losing revenue due to federal and state funding cuts for certain services provided by EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, the Health Department, and Social Services.
Some of those cuts include $875,032 for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and $588,584 for Foster Care from the state. The county is legally required to provide these services even without federal and state funding.
“The federal government and the state have both pushed down on us expenses we haven’t had to handle before,” Commissioner Steve Carter said.
The proposed budget also includes eliminating dozens of vacant roles, including an Assistant Clerk, an Assistant County Manager and about 35 positions in the Sheriff’s Office. Most of these are positions that are currently vacant and are tied to Sheriff Terry Johnson ending his office’s long-standing agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Last year, there was a 2.5-cent property tax increase, but Alamance County still spent $11 million from its reserve fund.
“That [was] the largest amount in the history of Alamance County in one year,” York said.
However, that decision, according to York, left the county’s coffers with “less than three months available of reserves to fund departments should there be an emergency.”
According to recent budget documents, the county had more than $35 million available in its “unassigned” fund balance, which can be used for unexpected, emergency needs. It also affects the municipality’s ability to borrow money at low interest rates.
Community weighs in on budget priorities
York said data from the county’s Community Feedback informed the recommendations and directly reflected the concerns and funding priorities expressed by residents.
“Education and ABSS” topped the list of biggest challenges facing the county, with about one-third of the survey’s roughly 1,000 responses.
Under the county’s budget proposal, the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) and Alamance Community College (ACC) receive the largest allocations, taking up about 40% of local government spending. The county’s budget also projects about 25% of funds toward public safety.
The school system would receive $58.8 million in operating expenses – a 2.7% increase from the 2025-2026 fiscal year – and $9.4 million for capital improvements.
In March, the Board of Education unanimously requested $62.8 million, about $4 million more than the county’s proposed budget would provide.
The community college would receive $4.8 million for general operating and nearly $585,000 towards capital improvements under the proposed plan.
The upcoming fiscal year’s budget, if commissioners accept York’s recommendation, would include a 2% cost of living adjustments (COLA) for county employees. That pay increase, however, is below the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest 3.6% consumer price index (CIP) in the South region, which includes North Carolina. Last year, county staff also received a 2% adjustment.
During the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, six out of 19 speakers – most of whom identified as senior citizens on a low fixed income – said they were against property tax increases.
Six others spoke in favor of maintaining or potentially raising taxes further to increase funding for education and other county services. Proponents included Democratic candidates running for state and local offices: Southey Blanton (N.C. Senate District 25), Levon Barnes (N.C. House District 64); and Sean Ewing and Ramona Allen (candidates for Alamance County Board of Commissioners).
Next steps and how to get involved
The board has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, June 1, 2026. This is where county residents can directly address the commissioners about the budget.
Here are the remaining key dates in the budget process:
- Monday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m.: Public hearing – Board work session. Location: Alamance County Historical Courthouse.
- Here’s how to sign up for public comment.
- Note: The Alamance-Burlington Association of Educators plans to meet outside the building at 5:30 p.m. to urge commissioners to increase education funding.
- Tuesday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m.: Special meeting – Budget work session. Location: Board of Commissioners meeting room in the Alamance County Office Building.
- Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m.: Final adoption – Board business meeting. Location: Board of Commissioners meeting room in the Alamance County Office Building.
On Thursday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., The Alamance Fabric will host a virtual Alamance County Budget Q&A and Fact Check with County Manager Heidi York. You can submit questions ahead of time here.
Budget documents, including the 2026-2027 recommended budget book, presentation slides, and a snapshot of community survey responses, are available on the county’s homepage.
Correction, May 19, 2026 2:49 pm: Southey Blanton is the Democratic candidate running for N.C. Senate District 25.
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