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Craven County manager proposes $168.6 million FY2027 budget, recommends no change to property tax rate
Summary
County Manager Jack White presented a recommended FY2027 general fund budget of $168,611,778 that holds the county's ad valorem tax rate at 44.48¢ per $100 valuation, funds a five-year capital improvement plan and increases support for schools and Craven Community College; board scheduled a public hearing for June 1.
County Manager Jack White presented the recommended Craven County general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 on May 18, proposing $168,611,778 in expenditures and recommending the ad valorem tax rate remain at 44.48¢ per $100 valuation. "The annual budget is the county's chief policy document," White said, describing the plan as disciplined and aligned with priorities set by the board.
White said the recommended budget represents a 4.5% increase over the adopted prior year and highlights a multi-year capital improvement plan to address growing capital needs, investments in Craven County Schools and Craven Community College, targeted staffing adjustments and maintaining strong fund-balance reserves. He told the board sales and property tax revenues remain stable but noted several revenue pressures, including forecast lower Medicaid hold-harmless revenue and reduced ABC board receipts.
Key specifics White presented included a $2,898,576 capital allocation for schools (a 34.4% increase in capital project funding) and a recommended current-expense allocation of $26,552,876 for Craven County Schools, roughly a 4% increase over the prior year. The recommended allocation for Craven Community College was $5,379,486 (about a 5.9% increase), with capital outlay for the college held at $550,000.
The budget incorporates a five-year CIP and identifies major projects that may begin in the fiscal year, including a Government Center East in Havelock, a Sudan site acquisition and parking lot redevelopment, a Martin Drive office/maintenance facility remodel and library expansion projects. White also proposed a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees and modest position changes to meet mandated services while containing personnel growth.
After the presentation, the board voted to schedule a public hearing on the recommended budget for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 1. The hearing will be the next opportunity for residents to comment; White said the recommended budget will be available for public inspection in the county manager's office and on the county website.
The board's action to schedule the hearing was approved by roll call. No votes to change the manager's tax-rate recommendation were taken at the meeting.
