Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Caldwell County interim manager presents 2025–26 recommended budget; commissioners debate tax rate and employee pay
Summary
Interim County Manager Wayne Rasch presented a balanced 2025–26 recommended budget that lowers the tax rate while preserving education and public safety investments; commissioners asked for further discussion on employee pay and whether to reduce the rate further.
Interim County Manager Wayne Rasch presented the Caldwell County recommended budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at the board’s May 12 meeting, proposing a reduced property tax rate and continued investment in public safety and education.
Rasch said the recommended budget lowers the property tax rate from 63 cents to 51 cents and that the county completed a multi‑meeting review to reduce initial requests that exceeded $10 million. Rasch said the proposal maintains funding for Caldwell County Schools, Caldwell Community College and public‑safety purchases including patrol cars and ambulances, and continues a merit program for county employees. He also said the budget creates a landfill reserve account to prepare for future disposal costs.
Commissioners praised staff work but split over how far to lower the rate and whether the budget goes far enough to raise employee pay. Commissioner Branch and other board members emphasized the difficulty of the year’s budget process and the need to limit tax burden after a property revaluation. One commissioner said vehicle tax revenue falls significantly if the rate drops and that revenue shortfalls must be covered.
Commissioner Starnes and others pressed for stronger pay action for county employees. Starnes said the merit program is positive but insufficient, noting county salaries lag regional peers and arguing the board should consider additional steps to retain and recruit staff. “If you want good employees you gotta pay them and you gotta treat them right,” one commissioner said during debate.
No final adoption occurred on May 12. Commissioners asked staff to continue revenue and expense reviews and to return with refined options before the formal adoption vote in June.
