Iredell County manager proposes $343.8 million budget, holds tax rate at 50¢

County Manager Beth M. Milton presented the Iredell County Board of Commissioners with her recommended fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget on Tuesday, proposing $343,847,360 in spending while retaining the current tax rate of 50 cents per $100 valuation.

Milton said the county had prepared the budget over five months and framed it as year three of a four‑year reappraisal cycle. She cited rapid population growth — an estimated 207,382 residents in 2025, up 11.51% from 2020 — and rising construction costs as drivers of increased demand for school facilities and county services. "This fiscal year budget is year 3 of that cycle," Milton said, and added the county must balance paying cash for capital projects with service needs.

Key elements of the recommended budget include a $16,774,670 allocation for capital outlay, an overall general fund recommendation of $343,847,360, and an estimated unassigned fund balance of $112,012,162 (32.58% of the recommended fund balance). Milton proposed retaining the existing tax rate while noting major school and college projects have increased significantly in cost: she cited Wethers Creek High School’s budget increase from an anticipated $80 million in 2020 to a current estimate of $130 million, and said the county used a mix of limited obligation bonds and existing reserves to bridge funding gaps.

On personnel, Milton recommended a 3% across‑the‑board pay scale adjustment to support retention and recruitment and said the county was not recommending new positions in this budget cycle. "This budget includes a 3% pay scale adjustment, which will increase all staff pay by 3%, as well as adjusting our starting pay by the same percentage to assist us in filling those vacant positions," Milton said. She said the county had already implemented a market study to guide longer‑term pay and classification decisions.

Milton said the county is exploring sustainable options to finance school construction, including a voter‑approved additional quarter‑cent sales tax that she estimated could raise about $8.5 million per year for school capital. She also summarized capital priorities including courthouse restoration, information technology upgrades, facility needs, and phased funding for the Mitchell Community College public safety training center and Parkertown Elementary.

Milton closed by warning that rapid residential growth concentrated in municipal jurisdictions complicates county planning and that state legislation which would restrict local authority could make those challenges harder to manage. The board scheduled budget work sessions beginning Monday the 12th, with meetings planned 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. across three days to review the proposal in detail.