Randolph County adopts $202.34 million budget, keeps tax rate at 50¢; approves school and fire district levies

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners on the evening of the board's final budget session approved a $202,339,523 fiscal year 2025-26 budget, set the county ad valorem tax rate at 50¢ per $100 valuation and approved a series of related tax district changes, budget closeouts and fund adjustments.

Chairman (name not specified) opened the meeting by noting the session was “planned for our last budget meeting tonight” and thanked residents for their participation. Will (staff member), presenting the close‑out adjustments, said, “We have a variety of, close out adjustments. Some for the general fund and some for some capital projects.”

Why it matters: The adopted budget packages recurring county services, new position funding and salary/benefit increases while authorizing transfers and project-specific appropriations that county leaders said are intended to preserve services such as public safety, public health and schools.

Budget total and tax rate The board approved a final budget of $202,339,523 after two late additions: $225,860 split between the two local school systems (allocation described below) and a 2% retention pay adjustment for 911 operators (an additional $57,509.90). The board set the county ad valorem tax rate at 50¢ per $100 valuation.

Commissioners and staff said the budget uses all reasonably expected property and sales tax revenue and does not rely on the Medicaid expansion hold‑harmless funds the county had used previously; the chair summarized the fiscal constraints by saying…