Wayne County manager presents $291.2 million budget recommendation with no tax increase; public hearing set June 2

County Manager Chip presented the Wayne County manager's recommended budget for fiscal year 2026—27 on May 19, 2026, proposing total funds of $291.2 million and a general fund of $254.5 million while not recommending a property tax increase.

Chip said the recommended budget uses $5.5 million of fund balance "strategically for capital and employee investments" and is built on conservative revenue assumptions, including a 3.5% growth in property tax collections and a 5% increase in sewer fees tied to the City of Goldsboro. The proposal includes $2.85 million in recommended capital projects and delays about $4.01 million in other capital requests to balance priorities.

The manager recommended 11 new positions, largely staffing for EMS station 12 (a training officer, four paramedics and four basic EMTs budgeted for half the year), one staff attorney for the county attorney's office, and a conversion of an animal control position from part-time to full-time. Implementation of a salary-study pay adjustment and targeted pay changes are included; Chip said the budget proposes no tax increase and uses fund balance only for near-term needs.

Key highlights in the recommended budget include a $520,000 increase in current expense support for Wayne County Public Schools, $2.2 million available for school repairs and renovations, continued funding for 22 full-time school resource officers countywide, and a $291.2 million total operating plan. Departments were asked to reduce operational expenses by approximately $730,000 as part of the balancing exercise.

Earlier in the meeting staff described several consent budget amendments that will be considered alongside the fiscal plan. Notably, a budget amendment relating to courthouse and Health & Human Services security recommended hiring four Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies for those facilities at an estimated annual cost of $291,993 and a one-time equipment cost of about $48,000; staff said the request would be effective July 1, 2026 and paid from existing security appropriations and a partial reimbursement from the Department of Social Services.

The board established a public hearing on the recommended budget for June 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.; the manager said final adoption must occur by June 30. The hearing will be followed by a budget work session and commissioners indicated they may schedule additional sessions if needed before adoption.