Union County adopts $620.3 million FY2026 budget, sets tax rate at 43.42¢
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Summary
The Union County Board of Commissioners adopted the county manager's FY2026 budget and a tax rate of 43.42¢ per $100 of assessed value after hours of public comment and debate about public safety staffing and school funding.
The Union County Board of Commissioners on June 16 adopted the county manager's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and set a combined property tax rate of 43.42 cents per $100 of assessed value.
County Manager Brian Matthews told commissioners the draft ordinance recommends a rate of 43.42¢ and an all-funds budget of $620,330,001. He described components of the rate, including small amounts designated for county and education debt service and an education share of roughly 26.78¢ per $100.
The action follows public comment and extended discussion at the dais about law-enforcement vacancies and pay, and about school-system funding. In informal comments before the vote, local residents urged higher pay for Union County Public Schools teachers and expressed concern about recent gun-violence trends. Commissioners debated how much of the budget could be redirected to recruitment and retention at the Sheriff's Office and asked staff to return with options for further adjustments.
Manager Matthews said the budget includes a specific, Sheriff-requested compensation adjustment for sworn deputies equivalent to roughly $1.50 per hour plus a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment scheduled for January 2026. He and commissioners repeatedly said those measures do not meet the sheriff’s full request and that additional steps would require new revenue or reallocation of other funds.
Commissioners discussed the budget's connection to voter-approved general obligation bonds for schools and other projects. The board and staff said the adopted tax rate is higher than the county’s “revenue-neutral” rate but reflects voter-approved debt service obligations.
After discussion, a motion to adopt the manager's FY2026 proposed budget, the budget ordinance and the recommended tax rate carried on a voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally; the chair announced the motion approved and said, “We have a budget.”
The board directed staff to return with options for how to further address law-enforcement recruitment and retention, including scenarios that would require additional revenue. Commissioners said any additional salary changes beyond what the budget funds could necessitate a tax increase and asked staff for cost estimates.
The board also discussed next steps on several other county priorities and scheduled follow-up conversations for July and August.
Ending: The FY2026 budget takes effect with the adopted tax rate and accompanying budget ordinance. Commissioners asked staff to provide more detailed cost models for possible supplemental pay adjustments and said they would revisit those options at upcoming meetings.
