Brunswick County presents balanced FY2025–26 budget plan; holds tax rate at $0.342

County finance staff presented the recommended FY 2025–26 budget to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners on May 19, saying the plan is balanced at the current property tax rate of 0.342 and that the document emphasizes county goals while preserving a strong fund balance.

The budget presentation by Steve Stone (staff member) included these highlights: a 3% market adjustment for employees who meet expectations, merit pools for raises that range by performance category, and a proposal to add 51 new positions (42 in government services; 9 in enterprise funds). Stone said the plan maintains benefits and increases funding to key partners — including an 8.9% increase to Brunswick County Schools and a 7.1% increase to Brunswick Community College — and provides $350,000 for the Brunswick Guarantee foundation grant supporting tuition assistance.

Stone told commissioners the County would transfer $2,323,513 to a county capital reserve for design work on an emergency operations center and a health and human services building that began in FY 2024–25. He also said the recommended budget preserves the county’s debt policy targets and noted that Brunswick County currently has a higher Moody’s bond rating than the U.S. government, a point offered to underline fiscal strength.

The presentation described fee adjustments: increases to advanced and basic life support fees to 250% of Medicare rates (with staff noting most of the cost would be borne by third‑party payers), changes to fire inspection fees tied to state code updates, and limited increases in parks and recreation rental and athletic fees. Enterprise funds reflect customer growth in water and wastewater and higher debt service tied to raw water main construction and treatment plant expansion projects.

Stone reviewed what changed since the workshop two weeks earlier: targeted increases in elections and IT budgets, added digital evidence equipment for the sheriff’s office and four additional paramedic positions, and reductions in some ARP‑enabled items. He said the budget remains balanced at the current tax rate but warned that ongoing population growth will increase service demands and could make maintaining the current rate challenging in future years.

Commissioners discussed the timeline: staff offered a budget workshop at 1 p.m. on June 2 if the board desired; the public hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. on June 2 and can be continued to the evening meeting on June 16, with final adoption targeted for June 16. A clerk confirmed no formal motion was required to set the hearing date.

Following the presentation, commissioners thanked staff for producing a balanced plan that avoids a tax increase this year and directed continued diligence on long‑term revenue and service demands.