Special to IFN
Iredell County Manager Beth Milton presented the county’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, outlining a spending plan that balances core services, capital investments, and the realities of a fast-growing population.
The general fund budget totals $343,847,360, which is based on maintaining a tax rate of 50 cents per $100 and a tax base of $44,741,260,000. The county’s unassigned fund balance on June 30, 2025, is estimated to be $112,012,162, which is 32.58 percent of the recommended budget.
Budget workshops are scheduled for next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, during which commissioners will review the proposal in detail. Final approval is expected in June.
Managing Growth
“Iredell County continues to experience tremendous growth, and with that comes increased demand on every department — from public safety and social services to schools and infrastructure,” Milton said during her presentation.
Since 2020, the county’s population has grown by more than 11 percent to an estimated 207,382 residents.
That growth is reflected in a 9 percent increase in parcels and an 18 percent surge in building permits over the past year alone — mostly residential.
Milton emphasized the importance of managing growth in a balanced way.
“Growth is positive, but it must be planned. Otherwise, it risks overburdening our emergency services, road networks, and schools,” she said.
Partnerships with entities like the Iredell Economic Development Corporation are helping guide that balance, with seven business projects announced last year totaling $121 million in investment and the creation of 267 jobs.
Education Funding
A key component of the recommended budget is education funding, which represents a 5.4 percent increase and supports Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded School District, and Mitchell Community College.
Per-pupil operational funding will rise from $2,287 to $2,354 — a 2.9 percent increase in line with the December Consumer Price Index.
The county has three major school construction projects in the pipeline, which Milton said are under pressure from inflation, including:
♦ Weathers Creek High School: Initially estimated at $80 million in 2020, the cost has risen to $130 million. To meet the need, the county borrowed $40 million and redirected $10 million that had previously been earmarked for construction of a new facility for the Health Department.
♦ Parkertown Elementary: Projected costs have risen from $40 million to more than $52 million. Commissioners have committed to funding the facility in cash, pulling from reserves originally earmarked for other projects.
♦ Mitchell Community College Public Safety Training Center: Now expected to cost more than $23 million — more than double the initial estimate — and partially funded through reserves and capital improvement funds.
“These are hard decisions, but they reflect our commitment to students and public safety,” said Milton, noting that borrowing and redirecting funds was necessary but not sustainable long term.
Capital Improvement Plan
The recommended budget continues investment in the county’s eight-year Capital Improvement Plan, which includes:
• Final renovations to the historic Government Center;
• Incremental funding for ADA compliance and energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades;
• A new consolidated warehouse facility to protect mobile units and equipment;
• Interior renovation planning at Government Center South;
• Technology upgrades for IT, Elections, and Emergency Communications;
• Parks and recreation enhancements, including the addition of parking at Jennings Park and restroom facilities at Big Leaf Slopes; and
• Routine maintenance for County facilities is also funded, including roof, HVAC, and chiller replacements.
Staff Retention
After adding 57 positions last year — mostly in Social Services and EMS — the 2025-2026 budget prioritizes staff retention over new hires.
No new positions or reclassifications are recommended.
Milton credited past Board investments, including a market study that introduced a fair, formula-based pay structure, with improving the county’s ability to attract employees.
The budget includes a 3 percent pay-scale adjustment and a matching increase to the minimum starting salary, both effective in July.
“Being competitive in today’s workforce means rewarding those who choose to serve our community,” Milton said.
Planning for the Future
To prepare for continued growth, the county is nearing completion of a Space and Needs Study that will guide future facilities planning. Additionally, a comprehensive fire services study is underway to evaluate equipment, funding, facilities, and district needs.
“Our aim is to make informed, long-term investments that support our citizens today and position us for tomorrow,” Milton said. “This budget is about balance — meeting the needs of a growing community while holding firm to conservative financial principles.”