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Brunswick County presents recommended FY2025–26 budget; keeps tax rate at 0.342 and schedules public hearing
Summary
County budget presenter reviewed a largely unchanged recommended budget that preserves the current 0.342 property tax rate, proposes 51 new positions and pay adjustments, and sets a public hearing for June 2 at 3 p.m.
Brunswick County officials presented the recommended fiscal 2025–26 budget during the May 19 Board of Commissioners meeting and said the proposal holds the county’s property tax rate at 0.342 and remains balanced at that rate.
The presenter reviewed highlights and changes since a prior workshop. The recommended budget includes a market adjustment of 3% for employees who meet expectations and tiered merit increases that vary by performance score. The county plans to add 51 new positions — 42 in general government services and nine in enterprise funds — to expand service capacity. The document the presenter described preserves a strong fund balance and seeks to maintain the county’s bond‑rating position.
Key line items and changes the presenter listed include a 7.1% increase for Brunswick Community College (including a $350,000 foundation grant for tuition assistance); an 8% increase for Brunswick Senior Resources to support district senior centers and a new multi‑use facility; and a county capital reserve transfer of $2,323,513 for an EOC and HHS building design begun in the prior fiscal year. The presenter said salary and retirement cost changes together increase compensation spending by roughly $7.4 million.
The budget includes fee adjustments for emergency medical services (proposed billing at 250% of Medicare rates for advanced and basic life support services), fire inspections tied to revised fire‑code requirements, and modest parks and recreation fee changes.
The presenter outlined a public process: staff offered a workshop option, and the public hearing is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Board’s June 2 meeting (the board may continue the hearing to its evening session on June 16), with commissioners aiming to approve budgets, rates and fees at the June 16 meeting.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the schedule, the potential for future tax changes given rising service demands tied to population growth, and whether contractors accelerate work ahead of fee changes — staff said they had not seen evidence of a rush. No formal vote on the budget was taken at the meeting; staff said scheduling the hearing did not require a separate motion.
