[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6525216,"mediaKeyId","3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f","parentId",3639524,"title","Tax administrator outlines homestead exemptions, circuit-breaker deferral and pending state changes","audioSeconds",561,"startMs",6818000,"endMs",7379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f&start=6818&end=7379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f/thumbnail_6818000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6525216/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Tax-administrator-outlines-homestead-exemptions-circuit-breaker-deferral-and-pending-state-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525216-c6e8a7a42c28404f4b08d96ae1133c52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131686&Signature=f5iYEERbYnQqYBU7rWpPERJVgd8lLGap-q~tTMfrLyUr6TOipMNdEcg8LjuzD0BYoBdZZjAf6UWghDy8S3j3~sE1CfS0Rl4qkt8lOA2sDSCBF7kfwlTINwiWmO4SmgroFgMqi~O6OgPlx-Nad4WYynpEpoH~EhcDetZGxEJNqmLbPbtST85rnZi6u2caGfoQ7e8bK8-dZqr78NMvn5jX2T70Po8pdjldBuUNiFRgDhaig9tj-g7mGFODOLgDLpKr3xMLSIASYYBdMjqFRIgGz8D6AYbUfgf0G35wkde8ZsqO7eNcgr-ajyD9x3cqOUBAMVhP2THj~uMDeZLBzFHYeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alamance County, NC","date","2025-06-03T03:00:43Z","article","Brad Fowler, Alamance County's tax administrator, briefed the board and the public on the county's existing property-tax relief programs for older and permanently disabled homeowners and described proposed state-level changes that could expand eligibility.

Fowler summarized the current homestead-exemption rules: applicants must be 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled), be deeded owners as of Jan. 1 of the application year, and have income below a state threshold that Fowler cited as $37,900 for the current year. He said the homestead program generally reduces the tax on the eligible home by 50% or $25,000, whichever is greater, and that the household must apply in January (late applications can be considered through board of equalization and review processes).

Fowler also explained the circuit-breaker deferral program, which he described as a lesser-used deferral option that currently expands the income threshold (to about $56,850 as cited) but requires repayment of deferred taxes plus interest upon a disqualifying event such as sale or death; he said no county residents were in that program at the time of the presentation.

Regarding pending legislation, Fowler noted Senate Bill 349 had passed the Senate and would raise the income thresholds and remove some barriers to use of the deferral program, potentially increasing participation. He estimated that in Alamance County the proposed changes could bring roughly 300 additional households into the program (an estimated 10–15% increase in participation from the current ~4,004 participants).

Fowler said the tax office has brochures and staff available to help residents apply and that county staff will assist eligible residents with late applications when warranted.

Why it matters: Expanding eligibility for homestead exemptions or changing circuit-breaker rules could provide property-tax relief for older or lower-income homeowners but would also reduce property-tax revenues unless offset elsewhere. Commissioners and residents asked questions about eligibility, one-acre home-site limits and outreach to potentially eligible households.

Ending: County staff said they will continue outreach and await any final state action on Senate Bill 349 before implementing program changes locally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2, 2025 Commissioners Meeting Live Stream - Public Hearing on FY25-26 Budget","oneSentenceSummary","Alamance County's tax administrator briefed commissioners and the public on current homestead-exemption and circuit-breaker deferral rules, eligibility limits (age 65+, income cap cited), and proposed state legislation (Senate Bill 349) that would expand eligibility and change program mechanics.","taxTitle","Alamance County, North Carolina","taxId",3670,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525221,"Alamance commissioners approve interlocal agreement with Burlington for shared 9-1-1 CAD system",873,11662000,12535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f&start=11662&end=12535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f/thumbnail_11662000.jpg","/articles/6525221/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Alamance-commissioners-approve-interlocal-agreement-with-Burlington-for-shared-9-1-1-CAD-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525221-703051b7a5dbd8fac19d6bb945a5f721/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131686&Signature=AGoT96Lxo~mwYAVxDiCsDRFD4qq0Bjdxeha~2oKaN1gy1t5898T3J~2ogCaqK6cz7JUj6DatWod40X5uLhRj~T-0BXeTzUbOyMy0sE2LLJmtOR8QgZMvvCA79unYdkdHDTJnZvuntMOpHAIFT2afklJ228qDSW79KAwLP0kwM000WTbIal8ciVf2Z01g1oF6AJRHRz0ps4FylBrFMGF1N7RflL6IT9mTCFjkpXR9GYXWzUoVtUy4Sse~Dcv2jffxCVCpt7jWtTbje50tVCq8ZTUBDTCv9eh-bEPifeMiuysNBZmlSEWtGL-VWDeK6IsuvYQk6ZbyiE790JG4VoxOZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alamance County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Burlington to implement a shared Hexagon 9-1-1 computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.

Alex Walker, who presented the plan, told commissioners the county’s current CAD is about 20 years old and nearing the vendor’s end-of-life for support. Walker said the joint system replaces the separate dispatch platforms used by the county and Burlington and was chosen after a needs assessment and procurement process. \"Our current 9-1-1 CAD computer aided dispatch system is outdated near the end of its life, 20 years,\" Walker said.

Under the agreement, Alamance County will serve as the primary public-safety answering point (PSAP) and Burlington will be a secondary PSAP. Hardware and software costs will be allocated proportionally between the county and Burlington based on the average annual calls dispatched over the past three fiscal years, Walker said. Burlington obtained approximately $963,000 in federal funding toward the project; additional federal grants are being pursued.

County staff estimated the implementation timeline at roughly 24–30 months from contract signature to full deployment and said the shared system should improve data sharing, reduce duplication of servers and mapping datasets, and provide modern capabilities such as enhanced mobile and mapping features.

The board voted to approve the interlocal agreement during the same meeting. A motion to approve was seconded and commissioners signaled unanimous assent by voice vote.

Why it matters: Modernizing CAD is intended to improve dispatcher efficiency and interoperability among county and municipal public-safety agencies, and it is a prerequisite for later radio- and region-level integration discussions. Burlington's federal grant reduces the county's share of upfront costs.

Ending: County staff said they will return with contract details and next steps for vendor agreement and implementation milestones.","The board unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Burlington to implement a shared Hexagon 9-1-1 computer-aided dispatch system, aiming to replace the county's two-decade-old CAD and improve interoperability. Burlington has secured federal aid and the project timeline is about 24–30 months.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525226,"Dozens urge Alamance commissioners to fully fund schools, libraries and rescue services at public hearing",1162,726000,1888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f&start=726&end=1888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f/thumbnail_726000.jpg","/articles/6525226/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Dozens-urge-Alamance-commissioners-to-fully-fund-schools-libraries-and-rescue-services-at-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525226-ee87c400478777efe09a0d7d519e672c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131686&Signature=BPUCK04QSXyndz4S22JSd7YDpEx1CBuLjwyjb460ITb3w6xGMegRg~XtC3g0rZIvXb0twjcz732W-vZtv-3-aUQ4aGgOv66gyG4-c3Zcc0eNryW6pZhkrQRKdRdxfan1F8~7XxH2GBWkZSfKkhtGaAT7CekAdhRh0l0Eool9UTOHgCyIRy3pWcEO4Z25YPJYtanuI2oG2pFyD13pOjWC26iR6YIIiVe8DAYmKISHFinLOZ22rd-vJcw10HgtmrFP1rHyYYDHNCd8O-G9aY-oW0ZuU2v9QHV7WUTkmZ9XRTnrTmehUkO1dBAJ-umwR9KXIozm2xpTQavLjVB4vkJDTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents spoke at the Alamance County budget public hearing to urge full funding for public schools, libraries and volunteer rescue services, warning that cuts would have long-term consequences for students and public safety.

Speakers included parents, teachers and school-board officials who asked the board to fund the full ABSS request. Sandy Ellington Graves, chair of the Alamance County Board of Education, said the county has a nearly $21 billion property-tax base and about $96,000,000 in its fund balance and urged commissioners to treat education as a priority. \"Tonight, you have an opportunity to show our community that education is truly important to you,\" Graves said. She also reminded the board that ABSS is one of the larger districts in the state and highlighted the staffing pressures in the schools.

Several educators and school staff described immediate operational impacts from reduced funding: bus-driver shortages that delay students, social workers and nurses stretched across multiple schools, and the loss of support positions such as graduation coaches and testing coordinators. Teacher Morgan Baker, who said she had worked in local classrooms and jails, said, \"Libraries save lives, even those experiencing homelessness,\" and argued that libraries and schools are both \"core services.\" Teacher and parent Robert Alves described low local per-pupil spending and warned that reduced local supplements and staff retention problems were already eroding services.

Public-safety volunteers and leaders also spoke. Chris Mone, chief of the Alamance County Rescue Unit, described the unit's specialized mission and volunteer training: \"Many hands, many minds, one goal. The goal is clear, to save lives.\" Multiple speakers, including Josh Shumate, commander of the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS, and Leslie Prince, a former rescue director, said the rescue unit provides unique technical capabilities — swift-water, heavy-rescue and dive teams — that the county would have difficulty replacing if funding were cut.

Business and civic leaders also urged investment in schools. Reagan Gurell, president and CEO of the Alamance Chamber, told commissioners that a low tax rate is not valuable if it prevents investments needed to attract jobs: \"If the proposed budget further reduces per pupil spending, we stand to fall even lower. It places us at a competitive disadvantage and will have an impact on our ability to recruit highly skilled, high paying jobs.\"

Why it matters: Speakers framed school and library funding as long-term economic development and public-safety investments. Several said short-term savings would cost the county more over time in higher remediation costs, reduced workforce readiness and pressure on emergency services.

Ending: Commissioners heard a cross-section of testimony and will consider the public input as they review the manager's recommended budget at upcoming work sessions ahead of a June 16 adoption vote.","At a county budget public hearing, teachers, parents, rescue volunteers, business leaders and nonprofit directors urged commissioners to reverse proposed cuts and fully fund the Alamance-Burlington School System, county libraries and the volunteer rescue unit.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525231,"Alamance County manager recommends 1.59¢ tax increase to avoid cuts; clarifies SRO pay, libraries and school funding figures",578,315000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f&start=315&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639524-3404ccb35d323268058f852bc449d45f/thumbnail_315000.jpg","/articles/6525231/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Alamance-County-manager-recommends-159-tax-increase-to-avoid-cuts-clarifies-SRO-pay-libraries-and-school-funding-figures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525231-2c0b31a4d11ea7a7f9b994751a7d1c78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131686&Signature=AMFYxgBZOfOssz~lI24xyrvZSQD~kbZIeEpJs8ItqQdUkfAR2kusB5Bul~bEiQMCZWWk5NSChKPsx3AQwW092Ui6Kwc-6YDXbib3CWN8RSqoib1LHP9uMRjrZ7Bd4w8F03EXkOiCkgqNGECN58UVDHNQRGglX9XHDwE5vQ24oipjtrurxaWQH6y2o3vri9Fpy-SFO1lXMsyP64Fo4UnT6kEZz~2C9MlTqwoLsBGw4-iUIvjkHCe6~tcI2PAa-Jn5TF1IhSKMdEMP~LSBVupIIGYdJCeNyBFJWBwyM5KJ4kfoF9zEH3tY4nVqNZ0wBMj7lHo~JySYdv7NOOg05tsmbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alamance County Manager York told the county commissioners and residents at a public hearing that the recommended budget includes a proposed tax-rate increase of 1.59¢ to avoid deeper service cuts and to preserve current service levels.

York said the 1.59¢ increase would add about $47.86 a year to the property tax bill of a median-valued home and that one penny on the tax rate generates roughly $2,600,000 in revenue. She emphasized the recommended budget \"does not propose to close library branches, does not eliminate positions from nonmandated services,\" and that the board can still make adjustments after receiving the recommendation.

The recommended budget lists a $1,300,000 allocation for animal services and proposes shifting $10,000,000 into school capital projects while keeping most operational requests unchanged, York said. She also gave the school funding figures presented earlier: current county funding of $58,700,000 versus the school system's request of $78,500,000, a difference of $19,800,000 that she said would equate to about a 7.5¢ increase on the tax rate if fully funded.

York clarified how school resource officers (SROs) will be paid under the proposal: \"The recommended budget will fund school resource officers from the sheriff's office directly rather than putting it through ABSS as a pass through,\" she said. She added the change affects only SROs provided by the sheriff's office and that municipal SROs remain a decision for the individual municipalities or ABSS to fund.

York presented a slide summarizing the recommended funding for the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) and said county departments and the public will have further opportunities to review the budget before formal adoption. She noted the board's budget adoption is scheduled for the June 16 regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.

York also sought to correct misunderstandings raised in public comment and media coverage about proposed closures and cuts. \"Hopefully, that will explain some of the misunderstandings,\" she said at one point while reviewing the package of potential cuts that were considered but not included in the recommended budget.

Why it matters: The manager's proposal frames the choices before the commissioners: accept the recommended increase to preserve current services and staff levels, or pursue larger cuts to operations and programs. The budget proposal directly affects operations in schools, public safety staffing, libraries and county services ahead of the June adoption vote.

Ending: The board heard public testimony later in the hearing and will consider changes during upcoming budget work sessions before taking a final vote on June 16.","At a June public hearing, County Manager York defended a proposed 1.59¢ property tax increase intended to avert deeper cuts, detailed the cost impact on a median home and outlined how school resource officers and library services would be funded under the recommended budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tax administrator outlines homestead exemptions, circuit-breaker deferral and pending state changes

Alamance commissioners approve interlocal agreement with Burlington for shared 9-1-1 CAD system

Dozens urge Alamance commissioners to fully fund schools, libraries and rescue services at public hearing

Alamance County manager recommends 1.59¢ tax increase to avoid cuts; clarifies SRO pay, libraries and school funding figures