Tax administrator reports record collections and signals 2028 revaluation mandate; commissioners approve 2024 levy settlement

Leslie Young, Craven County tax administrator, presented the county’s 2024 tax settlement on July 21 and commissioners approved the settlement and charged the tax collector to collect the 2024 levy.

Young reported a net levy for tax year 2024 of $59,752,810.82 and collections of $59,269,444.01. She told the board Craven County’s collection rate as of June 30 was 99.19%, and that it had improved to 99.25% by the morning of the meeting. Young credited staff, including tax collection manager Cindy Glover and appraisal staff, for the results.

Young also reported personal-property registration figures: 105,584 registered motor vehicles in the county this fiscal year (up from 102,631 last year) and 7,297 boats, an increase of 118 from the previous year. She said registered-motor-vehicle valuation was approaching higher thresholds but did not provide a single consolidated valuation for that category at the meeting.

On the 2028 revaluation, Young said the county’s sales-ratio has fallen below the North Carolina Department of Revenue threshold (she reported an 81% ratio) and that the county is scheduled for a countywide revaluation in 2028 to stay on the four-year cycle. Young referenced North Carolina General Statute 105-373 as the legal basis for presenting the settlement.

Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the settlement and charged the tax collector with collection of the 2024 levy by voice vote; the transcript records no roll-call tally.

Young said the 2025 tax notices were scheduled to be mailed July 31.