[{"_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",6587891,"mediaKeyId","5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e","parentId",5530901,"title","Resident urges board to consider quarter-cent sales tax on 2026 ballot, cites state revenue practices","audioSeconds",262,"startMs",400000,"endMs",662000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e&start=400&end=662","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e/thumbnail_400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587891/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Resident-urges-board-to-consider-quarter-cent-sales-tax-on-2026-ballot-cites-state-revenue-practices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587891-75e7e12cd1d8269b77eb2fe327ea07ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137028&Signature=eJgCTugOCZvnJtA6VFZ6U3nbmpyxBvwGeH1qCM~628Xn9T7h3PvT6A0G6Pznw3q2BMKub83lDe~7w29XsG1uiThgS57ReoE8Z~8P6OLX-QEEo-i-1hVYkuv6UjqPho6VTU3jGBWUNeQrkhALWmpo0Iu-pytHzJurgTlpdHPMKk1PtRmbTLQ~rlepQioc4VMrhyhPsYqdKFuSn8zet26dQUpVuVvhIPrJMGDqx-QVsm9le7cpWtkdiI7-3wGaEYwCn8BQeOLNDUjhsoUNqc9BEkTncWLU6wWDgOB1hHeYOXX7JFeEl5QUTLpRbeYFXXM8l2l89TeSHmP68~36QFtYnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alamance County, NC","date","2025-08-05T02:03:24Z","article","Stuart Smith, a resident who spoke during the public comment period, urged commissioners to consider placing a quarter-cent sales and use tax on the ballot in 2026 so more of county sales tax revenue remains in Alamance County.

Smith described a small, recent purchase of two copies of the Alamance News and said he observed a sales-tax rounding that raised questions about how small fractions of a cent are handled at the register. He said he contacted the North Carolina Department of Revenue's sales and use tax division and spoke with an administrative officer, Ed Strickland, to ask where amounts collected above earmarked tax collections are remitted and how rounding is handled. Smith said Mr. Strickland told him that in his experience, counties that appealed directly to voters with a tangible need ' often for public schools ' were more successful than counties that simply put a quarter-cent tax on the ballot without a stated purpose.

Smith recalled that an earlier local option sales tax measure failed and that the county then raised property tax rates, a change he said he preferred to avoid. \"I'd much rather pay a quarter cent on my sales tax than I had an increase in property taxes,\" Smith said.

Ending: Smith concluded by asking commissioners to consider the ballot option for 2026; no formal board action or vote on the matter occurred during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 4, 2025 Commissioners Meeting Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Stuart Smith urged the Alamance County Board of Commissioners to consider placing a quarter-cent sales and use tax on the 2026 ballot so more revenue remains in the county.","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},6587895,"Commissioner says county may have overpaid ABSS after using higher cost index; asks for finalized agreement",210,1560000,1770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e&start=1560&end=1770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e/thumbnail_1560000.jpg","/articles/6587895/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Commissioner-says-county-may-have-overpaid-ABSS-after-using-higher-cost-index-asks-for-finalized-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587895-2730a50c0301a6d283a92ff452f34057/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137028&Signature=FrddhNDFTKdVWZSxXJOb29mBW4JXH6AJPq51~vrrUMA~-V32Hv1x183KuHdXl7b3zmc7K3PG0LgNmDIzwqVlcXdvjC7RF3Xn-PPr~A6655ya82qMzRijwTSgeFehMr2Y~pLckLPaFRBj9h6-ji20j0yg3lyswe3Vlo6o7D5FFBwbcvLsiOJCDONePKm~ktI8F2pJsCJdSEzh00b6lslT~L-1mRjvp~u~iwnMHueGk6OY8riJe7AJmNT83WLe~pICIOMiyK10NQo90e3hHeUSzJUIS5cGp-H-PvQsANcut-aQ4gPq3IiO4q-ISzWytz4YT7q0BCgiRZarQ5-H3PzoLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A commissioner raised questions about the county's recent agreement with ABSS, saying the board may have relied on a higher Employment Cost Index figure than the Bureau of Labor Statistics released and asking for the finalized agreement and supporting calculations.

The commissioner said the BLS's Employment Cost Index (ECI) was released showing a 3.6% increase and suggested the board's agreement may have been based on an assumed 4% or 4.2% ECI, which could result in excess payments. \"Assuming student enrollment and prior year spending remained consistent, this discrepancy could mean taxpayers have already overpaid ABSS by nearly a quarter of a million dollars,\" the commissioner said. He added concern that an inflated baseline would compound into larger overpayments in future years.

County Attorney (unnamed) replied that the calculation used at the time was based on a 3.8% figure in the database the county used. The attorney also said the version of the agreement that was on the adopted agenda packet \"is finalized\" and had been published as part of the minutes. The commissioner said he had not received the finalized version and requested a copy and, separately, a calculation showing how the figures were derived.

No formal board action was taken during the exchange; the discussion concluded with a commitment by staff to provide the finalized agreement and further information.

Ending: The request for the finalized agreement and the calculation will be reflected in follow-up by county staff and the meeting minutes.","A commissioner questioned whether the county's recent payment to the local school system used an Employment Cost Index higher than the Bureau of Labor Statistics release and asked for the finalized agreement; the county attorney said the adopted packet version is finalized and the calculation used by staff was 3.8%.",{"_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},6587900,"Alamance County tax administrator reports 99.21% collection rate; commissioners approve write-off of 2015 taxes and order of collection for 2025",683,792000,1475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e&start=792&end=1475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e/thumbnail_792000.jpg","/articles/6587900/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Alamance-County-tax-administrator-reports-9921-collection-rate-commissioners-approve-write-off-of-2015-taxes-and-order-of-collection-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587900-4148fef191b99a6a9516557893516744/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137028&Signature=YhxO2xEz0Vb9k-wHlh2TI6mZH50mFbwuiCacG8zry5VG-Xyuw9tt0~wCyN65ugQ-X0YnTOPe09Q1FpI9XFdqKVdYIXom2peJowVDXKfDX9xNjyhqxRaF3IMnBJIh1qRJgLRQv7tkfiRJYSG-RRq6Q4NLSrFCmXgbfeLY9RM2JFn-bsU53~tOm0k2U7kL~6FpHJIKO9rDxcjPMF1TBZfyOVR67F~IyoiAT8sfmKdgwZWUIgoK6IVfj2VqoIEuFE6cTu1b8UspE2UDOBzr10wDziPU07x3-futctC6ttaOqXp9a~kd-bUj728uhjiWYoLWZrNQ2wTZ5DTjlEKpEUFGmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Fowler, Alamance County tax administrator, presented the county's annual tax collection settlement for 2024 and asked the board to approve charging off remaining 2015 taxes and to authorize the 2025 order of collection.

Fowler told commissioners the total levy for 2024 was $112,000,003.53, the total collected was $111,000,004.57, the total uncollected was $902,002.74, and the collection rate for 2024 was 99.21%. He said the five-year average collection rate is 98.98% and that 99.21% is the highest rate he found in at least 25 years. \"This is an annual process that the board must go through by statute,\" Fowler said.

Fowler described office changes he said contributed to higher collections: new individual development plans for staff, system enhancements to process bank attachments in bulk, expanded use of rent attachments, and running attachments twice annually (an additional cost of about $6,000 that Fowler said yielded roughly $150,000 in collections). He specifically recognized front-counter staff and named Cindy Miller, who recently retired, and Kathy Tyler, newly hired as the collections supervisor.

Fowler asked the board to approve charging off the remaining 2015 balances, which he said totaled $49,392.72 as of June 30, and explained a statutory 10-year enforcement limit means 2015 debts become unenforceable after Sept. 1, 2025. He also requested authorization for the tax collector to declare taxes a first lien on listed taxpayers' real property and to levy and sell real or personal property as allowed by law to collect 2025 taxes.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to approve writing off the uncollectible 2015 taxes and to authorize the tax collector to proceed with collection actions; a second was given and the motion passed unanimously. The board did not record an itemized roll-call in the public transcript; meeting minutes list the motion as adopted.

No additional conditions or follow-up tasks were specified in the motion. Fowler said he would provide the formal write-off request that was included in the meeting packet and answer any follow-up questions from commissioners.

Ending: The board then moved to other business and closed the meeting. The tax settlement and the approved write-off and order of collection will be reflected in county records and the minutes for this meeting.","Tax administrator Brad Fowler told the Board of Commissioners the county collected about 99.21% of the 2024 levy, recommended charging off remaining 2015 uncollectible taxes, and requested authorization for the 2025 order of collection; the board unanimously approved both requests.",{"_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},6587885,"Resident asks commissioners to restore merit-based service bonuses for county employees",272,577000,849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e&start=577&end=849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530901-71a425e5ba7ca74ca337e2a53f9f0e3e/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6587885/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Resident-asks-commissioners-to-restore-merit-based-service-bonuses-for-county-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587885-a8d85475b02caf0aa31da0de507df4d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137028&Signature=C6ecoRoh0IwrjiySUj~lniFk0SNazcdXBHFjBx0aJIrv4DEUOtcDJ9msPZkvPckKphlvfeH8vOE79fnrTLrErDW-DpIElpusBrqzhWM~vK7twG5j6~iR~dtgUqctcnBkrk4MIHVij9mfwpPJdNA1jTTdG1SV6UXnnkxYcsNVLaBnDfqfziEhSXcT9Em-tykQIv4elWHIKN7EvjvGNc~c5nPV3BNiFubv3Iv-1MM3XJTLUr1VVmzoGPw40N2qziDXK2NXfiOIJ8fykeW~RCPoOEfZcnSfPv1FNTP8rfridS0Eg3uLtBkFKkhOj8WbWLdVHlDiMIQiISze6G2dPgh1yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Ward, a county resident, used the public comment period to urge commissioners to restore service bonuses for county employees he said were reduced after a recent tax increase.

Ward described the service bonus as a merit-based increase, not automatic, ranging \"between $500 and $2,000 a year\" depending on years of service. He said long-tenured employees who planned around the bonus now bear a larger portion of the burden after the tax change and that the bonuses are important for lower-paid staff such as deputies, jailers, park attendants, maintenance workers and DSS and health intake staff. \"This is a big big portion of their potential yearly income,\" Ward said.

Ward suggested the board ask the county manager to find money in the current budget to restore the service bonus effective Jan. 1 (he referenced \"January July 1\" in his remarks) and proposed a staggered approach by salary: 100% restoration for employees making less than $50,000, 67% for those making $50,000 to $75,000, 33% for $75,000 to $100,000 and no restoration for those over $100,000.

Ending: Ward said restoring some or all of the bonus would help employee morale; no formal board action or vote occurred during the meeting on this request.","Scott Ward urged the board to restore service bonuses (merit-based $500 to $2,000) that employees expected, suggesting a staggered restoration by salary bands to help lower-paid county staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges board to consider quarter-cent sales tax on 2026 ballot, cites state revenue practices

Commissioner says county may have overpaid ABSS after using higher cost index; asks for finalized agreement

Alamance County tax administrator reports 99.21% collection rate; commissioners approve write-off of 2015 taxes and order of collection for 2025

Resident asks commissioners to restore merit-based service bonuses for county employees