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Person County manager presents $88.4M FY2027 recommended budget; tax rate unchanged
Summary
County Manager Kathy presented the recommended fiscal year 2027 budget totaling $88.4 million for the general fund (all funds $113.4M), proposing no change to the 63-cent property tax rate while funding seven new positions, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, capital projects and continued broadband and airport work.
County Manager Kathy presented the recommended fiscal year 2027 budget to the Person County Board of Commissioners on May 18, outlining a general fund budget of $88.4 million and an all-funds total of $113.4 million while proposing no change to the county's current property tax rate of $0.63.
The manager highlighted recent capital accomplishments, including runway, taxiway and apron rehabilitation at Raleigh Regional Airport and design funding for a new terminal, ongoing broadband expansion with state and private partners using American Rescue Plan Act funds, and a soft opening at Centennial Park.
Kathy said the recommended budget funds seven of 16 requested new positions and incorporates a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. "We included the 3% cost of living adjustment in this budget," she said, estimating the pay increase will cost approximately $1.1 million across funds. The proposal also includes a merit-pay pool and longevity funding.
The recommended budget covers planned investments in education, recommending $15.0 million for Person County Schools' current expense (a 5.15% increase over current funding, below the school system's $15.8 million request) and $1.9 million for Piedmont Community College (3% increase). The manager said about $10 million of school funding next year will be financed by debt related to capital projects.
On revenues, property taxes remain the primary source at roughly 57.2% of general fund revenue. The manager told commissioners the budget assumes a collection rate of 98.5% and projects $47 million in property tax revenue from the existing 63-cent rate.
Vehicle and equipment replacements are included but prioritized down from some department requests: 12 fleet replacements are proposed at an estimated total of $689,000, including eight for the sheriff's office and replacements for PATS vehicles. The manager said the 12 recommended vehicles are replacements, not additions.
The budget includes $3.3 million in fund-balance appropriations overall, with $680,000 in the general fund to close the gap between revenues and expenses without raising taxes. The board has an adopted fund-balance policy to maintain 25% or higher; the manager said the county ended the prior year at roughly 25.9%.
Kathy closed by reminding the board of the next steps: the manager recommended a public hearing on the budget scheduled for June 1 at 6 p.m. in the county auditorium and asked commissioners to select dates for budget work sessions.
The presentation prompted questions from commissioners on staffing needs, EMS and DSS staffing ratios, and the timing of any public safety pay study. The board took no final budget vote at the meeting; the manager will return materials and host the public hearing as scheduled.
