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Lee County manager proposes 5¢ tax increase to 70¢, cites EMS contract, schools and maintenance as drivers
Summary
County staff recommended a $127.9 million FY2026–27 budget that would raise the property tax rate 5¢ to 70¢, citing a higher EMS contract cost, additional school funding and deferred maintenance. Commissioners heard details and scheduled further budget deliberations and public hearings.
County staff on May 18 presented a recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget that would raise Lee County's property tax rate by five cents to $0.70 per $100 of assessed value and set a proposed total budget of $127,856,002.
The county manager told commissioners the recommended rate "is 70¢, which is a 5¢ increase from the current year," and listed the primary drivers for the increase: a more costly emergency medical services contract, restoring a debt-service funding penny, dedicating a penny for school funding and addressing deferred maintenance. The presentation attributed roughly 1.73¢ of the increase to EMS contract costs.
Why it matters: staff said the budget was formulated to hold operations flat while covering significant contract and maintenance needs. The package would increase school current-expense funding and restore an earlier debt-plan contribution the board reduced in a prior year.
Budget details provided by staff included a projected FY27 total assessed value that yields $1,023,388 in revenue per penny of tax rate; a recommended budget increase of about $8.47 million in total revenues; and per-pupil current-expense funding that would reach about $2,522 under the proposal. The presentation also noted projected sales-tax growth, planned capital projects and a limited set of position recommendations (one converted deputy sheriff position and otherwise no large staff expansions).
County staff emphasized uncertainty in future state actions and one-time revenue timing. On the EMS contract, staff said negotiations with the initially selected provider failed and the county opened talks with First Health Carolina; the board approved a first reading of the EMS franchise ordinance and staff said a second reading and contract would return on June 1.
What's next: the board will hold public hearings on the budget and CIP on June 1 and may adopt the budget on June 15. Commissioners suggested scheduling a budget work session in late May or early June to digest details and reconcile schedules.
Attributions: County finance and management staff presented the figures and responded to commissioners' questions during the meeting. The recommendation and numbers quoted above come from the county's FY27 transmittal materials and the manager's presentation to the board on May 18.
