BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the county’s $343.8 million budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, which begins July 1.
The adopted budget represents $22 million, or 7 percent, increase over last year’s budget. Commissioners maintained the property tax rate at 50 cents per $100 of assessed value.
A public hearing was scheduled for June 17, but no one from the public spoke for or against the budget.
“This budget reflects our continued commitment to responsible spending, strategic investments, and supporting the services that matter most to our residents,” County Manager Beth Milton said. “We’ve worked diligently to address community needs while preserving the county’s strong financial position.”
2025-2026 Budget Highlights
♦ The budget focuses on staff retention with no new positions or reclassifications recommended. It includes a 3 percent pay-scale adjustment for all staff to aid employee retention and recruitment for open positions.
♦ The budget allocates increased funding to education with a 5.4 percent increase overall. The per pupil allocation will increase to $2,354 per student up from $2,287 over the current budget. It also increases capital outlay and debt service.
♦ The budget includes $70.5 million in total cash investment in school facilities. Commissioners allocated additional funds towards the new Weathers Creek High School, new Parkertown Elementary School and Mitchell Community College Public Safety Training Center.
♦ Capital Investments: The budget includes continued funding for the 8-year Capital Improvement Plan. This includes renovations to the Government Center, a new warehouse facility, and upgrades to ADA and LED lighting and technology investments for IT and emergency communications.
♦ It includes preparations for continued growth, backed by a space-needs study for courts and a fire services evaluation.
County Manager Comments
“This was not an easy budget. It was a difficult budget,” Milton explained “It was a difficult budget in that out of all the counties in the state of North Carolina, we are in the top 10 for (population) growth. We did not recommend any new positions to keep up with that growth.”
Since 2020, the county’s population has grown by more than 11 percent to an estimated 207,382 residents.
“For the growth that we are experiencing, that we aren’t adding any more deputies, detention officers, paramedics or social workers,” she added.
While some counties operate on an annual or biennial budget cycle, Milton explained that Iredell County utilizes a four-year cycle tied to reappraisal, aiming to maintain a consistent tax rate throughout that cycle.
County staff are dedicated to meeting the increased demands for service that has accompanied the population growth.
“We are going above and beyond and continuing to provide those services that we promised we are going to provide. We are asking our employees for more. They are doing that,” Milton said.
‘This board has put their money where their mouth is’
Milton praised the Board of Commissioners for continuing to invest in students across the county.
“If anybody says that this board does not value and invest in education, I will argue you to the death on that,” she said.
“I hope everybody hears me loud and clear when I say this board has put their money where their mouth is to get these (new schools) projects done. They have not gone back to the taxpayers and asked them for another bond to increase taxes to do these schools,” she added.
Commissioners agreed to take $70.5 million that was earmarked for county projects and redirect that money to pay for construction of Weathers Creek High School and Parkertown Elementary School. That amount does not include the debt service payment on the $120 million the county borrowed for Weathers Creek.
Commissioners have been criticized for underfunding education after they balked at spending $170 million-plus for the new high school. Iredell-Statesville Schools officials have not identified a funding source for the school’s athletics facilities, estimated at $35 million.
I-SS Superintendent Jeff James has made the argument that the county’s low property tax rate hurts the school system.
Because Iredell County is considered a wealthy county, the school system doesn’t qualify for many grants because of county’s ability to raise the property tax rate to generate funds for education.
Board Comments
“We are growing, growing, growing. For every bit we grow, we have to build schools, we have to have another sheriff’s deputy, ambulance … it’s a constant grow,” Commissioner Scottie Brown said.
“I do appreciate the staff, and I know it’s a lot. We are controlling as good as we can. We said no new employees. We are dead set we aren’t going to raise your taxes for another year and hopefully longer,” he added.
Commissioner Brad Stroud agreed.
“We realize the taxpayers are hurting. We are taxpayers, too,” he said.
Stroud said one of the greatest legacies handed down to the current board is its philosophy to pay as you go for major capital projects.
The county does not rely on loans, which can be costly in the long run, and commissioners think about the taxpayers when they make decisions.
“If you think that Iredell County doesn’t check finances, I will tell you they found a $2.33 sleeve of coffee cups. Why do I need a sleeve of coffee cups when there is no coffee. That’s how detailed our finance department is,” Stroud said.
Vice Chair Melissa Neader said that the county’s budget is like a household budget in terms of allocating resources to cover expenses. She said it’s common for household budgets to be tight and that you can’t always afford everything you want.
Neader said that citizens can take pride in the fact that the county staff can show and pinpoint where every dollar is allocated and spent.
“I have the utmost confidence in the information presented,” she said, thanking the staff for their attention to detail and transparency.
Commissioner Gene Houpe said he appreciates the confidence citizens place in the board to make decisions on their behalf.
“Before you judge our actions, ask us our options,” he added.
He explained that commissioners don’t always have the best options, but “we do our best to make the best decisions possible.”