Harnett County holds public hearing on FY 2026–27 budget as residents press for school funding and transparency

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget, hearing residents urge clearer explanations of rising property valuations and the allocation of new funds for schools and county services.

County budget staff presented three funding options that each deliver an additional $3.5 million for Harnett County Schools but differ in how they treat nonprofit allocations, contingency reserves and long-term school capital transfers. Option 1 preserves school construction funding and allocates the most to nonprofits but requires deep cuts to departmental expansion requests; Option 2 balances contingency reductions and smaller nonprofit funding; Option 3 protects departmental services while reducing future school-construction transfers.

‘‘The board’s priority is to secure the $3.5 million for the schools,’’ the budget presenter said, describing trade-offs among departments, contingency and fund balance. Staff noted one lever to reach the goal: lowering the appeals rate from 8% to 6%, which is estimated to generate roughly $2.3 million based on current appeal activity.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the county faces uncertainty because the General Assembly is considering a moratorium on property revaluations that could change levy calculations. That possibility complicates setting a tax rate and the final budget timetable; staff said the county is prepared to hold additional hearings and adjust the schedule if state action changes assumptions.

Public comment focused on perceived gaps in transparency and accountability. Several residents asked for written follow-ups on specific items: the process and justification for increasing board of elections stipends, details on appeals and valuation impacts for individual taxpayers, and oversight of law-enforcement spending. Eric Stevenson, who identified himself as a resident, asked for a ‘‘public update on the status of the local bill’’ submitted on fees and a written explanation of how the board-of-elections pay increase was approved. Jerry Rivas used the hearing to press longstanding complaints about property valuations and code enforcement.

Commissioners agreed to schedule additional work sessions and public hearings as needed; budget approval remains scheduled for June 15 but officials said that date could shift if state action requires recalculation. The board directed staff to provide additional data and follow up on the public’s requests; the county also scheduled two work sessions on June 1 and June 9 to refine options before final adoption.

The hearing closed after residents’ remarks; formal budget adoption is expected at a later meeting pending any legislative changes that would affect valuation and levy computations.