Southampton County board adopts FY27 budget, approves 4-cent real-estate tax increase to fund teacher raises

The Southampton County Board of Supervisors adopted the county's fiscal year 2027 budget at its May 26 meeting, approving a proposed $94,731,367 plan and a 4-cent increase in the real-estate tax rate to $0.75 per $100 of assessed value intended to fund a 5% raise for instructional staff.

County staff presented the budget package and told supervisors the county's general fund expenditures (excluding scheduled transfers) remain at $28,648,488 and that proposed measures include a 3% raise for full-time county employees and a $3.86 million capital project to drill two wells for the enterprise fund. The school fund was shown with a 10.47% increase largely driven by increased state and local funding.

"The board of supervisors held a required public hearing regarding the fiscal year 27 proposed budget on 05/20/2026," staff said during the presentation, listing the budget totals, the recommended tax rate and the board's intent that the 4-cent increase go to the instructional portion of the schools' budget to provide teacher raises.

Supervisors debated the timing and scale of the increase. One supervisor summarized a county survey and said, "An overwhelming 86% answered no," to the question of whether residents supported the 4-cent real-estate increase. Another supervisor and the school representative warned that without the additional local funding, instructional positions and special-education roles identified in budget presentation materials could be cut.

Harris Mohammed, who addressed the board about the schools' request, said the school budget presented was "a balanced base needs budget for our staff, including a 5 percent pay increase," and emphasized that the school board had full input into the draft presented to the county.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the fiscal year 2027 county budget carried on a voice vote. The board also separately voted to adopt the county capital improvement plan for 2027-2031, the fiscal-year 2027 tax ordinance and ordinances setting fees and a personal-property tax-relief rate as advertised; recorded roll-call tallies were not specified in the transcript.

The board additionally approved an appropriation transferring $209,443.01 from the general fund reserve for a one-time payout and a $214,756.73 appropriation to the school fund, and heard staff explain the composition of those appropriations (reimbursements, donations, grants and a reserve transfer).

The meeting record shows the board considered and approved the package of budget-related ordinances and measures; next procedural steps will be implementation of the adopted budget for fiscal year 2027 and any administrative follow-up required by county staff and the school division.