Union County adopted a $620,300,000 general fund budget for fiscal year 2026, which the county said runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and set an adopted tax rate of 43.42 (down from 58.80¢). A county spokesperson said the tax rate is 1.82¢ above the revenue-neutral rate to cover debt for capital projects that voters previously approved for Union County Public Schools and South Piedmont Community College.

The county-listed priorities in the adopted budget include education, public safety, human services and general government. The county spokesperson identified key investments as 12 new full-time emergency medical service physicians, funding for an additional ambulance to support increased call volume, increased support for Union County Public Schools, support for South Piedmont Community College and charter schools, expanded senior nutrition funding intended to reduce the waitlist for meals, and initiatives aimed at commercial and industrial economic development.

County officials also announced that Union County water and sewer rates will increase slightly to support critical infrastructure improvements. The spokesperson emphasized that the utility is funded by ratepayers and not by county taxes. The county directed residents to detailed budget documents available on the county budget and grants management page at unioncountync.gov.

The transcript did not specify vote tallies or identify a motion maker and seconder for the budget adoption in the provided excerpt.