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Halifax County manager unveils $64.8 million FY2026-27 budget with $50 million detention facility plan
Summary
County Manager Dea Dent presented a $64,806,460 proposed budget for FY2026-27 that includes a $50 million detention facility project funded by limited-obligation bonds, proposed COLAs for employees, one-time bonuses, and added capital and school support; the board set public hearings for June.
County Manager Dea Dent presented the Halifax County proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, a spending plan of $64,806,460 that the manager described as balanced and prepared in accordance with North Carolina's Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.
Denton said the county's audited fund balance stands at $56,116,285 (64.39% of the audited fund balance) and that available unassigned fund balance totals $23,810,355. The proposed budget would allocate $4,690,424 from fund balance for capital expenditures and $685,000 for one-time bonuses to eligible employees. The manager said the proposal includes a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for most full-time employees and a 10% COLA for sworn law enforcement and detention positions.
The presentation listed a $50,000,000 detention facility in final design, planned to be financed with limited-obligation bonds and scheduled to close in fall 2026. The manager also proposed additional school and community college capital funding of $892,720 and said a budget public hearing was scheduled for June 1 with final adoption planned for June 15.
Denton described operational items in the proposal including $600,000 moved to fund central communications operations, three new public-utilities positions to add a second crew, and a pilot program contracting private transportation for involuntarily committed (IVC) patient transports to relieve the sheriff's office. She said staff began work on the budget in September 2025 and that the package would be available for public inspection per statutory requirements.
Commissioners thanked the manager and staff; no formal action on adoption occurred at the session. The manager noted continuing external fiscal uncertainty tied to state and federal decisions and said staff would continue outreach to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and state and federal legislators.
The board set the subsequent public hearing and final-adoption dates consistent with the manager's presentation. Fiscal details and ordinance drafts were included in the meeting packet and will be posted to the county website for public review.
