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Gaston County adopts FY 2025–26 budget; public speakers press for larger teacher supplements and library support
Summary
The Board approved a $340 million general fund budget with a 59.9¢ tax rate, the lowest on record, and allotted $500,000 in local supplements for teachers. Public commenters urged the board to increase teacher supplements to the $3.6 million requested by the school board and to preserve library and museum funding.
The Gaston County Board of Commissioners on May 27 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget after a public hearing that drew educators, library advocates and residents pressing the board for larger investments in schools and county services.
Assistant County Manager Vincent Wong reviewed highlights before public comment, saying the proposed general fund totals roughly $340 million with the recommended tax rate at 59.9¢ — the lowest tax rate on record, he said — and that no general fund balance was used to balance the budget. The recommended budget directs roughly 31% of General Fund spending to public safety, 25% to human services and 18% to education; property taxes account for about 62% of general fund revenues.
During the public hearing, speakers asked the board to provide more money for teacher supplements and to maintain library and museum funding. Sharif Amster, who identified himself as a local teacher and president of the Gastonia North Carolina Association of Educators, said Gaston County schools asked the county last year for $3 million for teacher supplements and received $500,000. "That's only $18.70 extra a month for me," Amster said, urging the board to prioritize competitive pay to stem educator turnover. Anne Doss Helms, a longtime education reporter and Belmont resident, reviewed district performance data and urged the board to approve the full supplement request the school board submitted — $3.6 million — to improve teacher recruitment and retention.
Library representatives urged the board to preserve proposed library funding. Amanda Mimrick, representing the Gaston County Public Library System, thanked the county manager for recommending a budget that keeps all branches open and described staffing levels and recent increases in program attendance and internet use. A student, Amelia Mimrick, presented a petition in support of library branches.
After discussion the board voted to adopt the FY 2025–26 budget ordinance. The motion to adopt was made by Commissioner Alan Fraley and seconded by Commissioner Scott Sheehan. The final recorded vote was 5 in favor and 2 opposed; the minutes do not list the two dissenting commissioners by name. The adopted budget includes $500,000 in local teacher supplement funding and keeps library branch funding at the levels recommended by the county manager.
Commissioners thanked speakers and framed the county’s action as a balance between fiscal restraint and targeted support. Chairman Chad Brown and other commissioners noted the board asked the school board to match any available fund-balance usage for supplements this year and committed the county to match approved amounts up to the board-approved policy.
Votes at a glance (other actions recorded at the meeting): - FY 2025–26 budget ordinance: Adopted (vote recorded as 5–2). The manager’s recommended tax rate of 59.9¢ remained in the adopted budget. - REZ-213 (South Point Road): Approved 4–3 (see zoning article for details). - REZ-216 (Lucia River Bend Hwy): Failed (no second/lack of support). - REZ-219 (Landers Chapel Road): Approved unanimously. - Gaston County Schools property purchase (3372 Robinwood Road; $1,500,000 requested): Motion failed (recorded as 3–4). - Legislative resolution opposing changes to local planning and zoning by the North Carolina General Assembly: Approved unanimously. - Multiple board and advisory appointments: Approved (recorded as unanimous votes during meeting).
The board closed the budget public hearing and proceeded to adopt the budget ordinance. The county manager and staff said they will continue to work with the school board and community groups on implementation details for supplements and county-sponsored programs.
