Caldwell County adopts $130.6 million budget, sets tax rate at 49.75¢ amid dispute over EMS overtime

The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners on June 9 adopted a $130,565,746 fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set the county tax rate at 49.75 cents per $100 of assessed value after a 3-2 vote.

The budget, presented by Interim County Manager Wayne Rash, includes a $105,202,133 general fund appropriation and increases for public safety, continued funding for local schools and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, a continuation of the county merit pay program and about $2 million in capital investments, Rash told the board: "It's a total of a $130,565,746 budget with a $105,202,133 general fund appropriation." He also said the proposal creates a new reserve account for landfill proceeds and seeks to reduce the tax rate after a countywide property revaluation.

The measure to set the tax rate and adopt the budget was moved by Commissioner Patrick Starnes. "I would like to make a motion that we set our tax rate at 49.75¢," Starnes said; the motion passed by a 3-2 roll call. Chair and other commissioners said the board had worked through multiple…