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Craven County manager proposes $168.6 million budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged
Summary
County Manager Jack B. Veit, III presented a $168,611,778 FY2026-27 general fund budget May 18 and recommended holding the property-tax rate at 44.48 cents per $100 valuation. The plan emphasizes a new five-year CIP, increased school and community college funding, modest staffing changes and a 2% cost-of-living adjustment.
County Manager Jack B. Veit, III presented the recommended Craven County fiscal year 2027 general fund budget of $168,611,778 at the Board of Commissioners' May 18 meeting and recommended keeping the ad valorem tax rate at 44.48 cents per $100 valuation.
Veit said the proposal represents a 4.5% increase over last year's adopted budget and described the plan as disciplined and conservative. "It is my privilege to present the recommended Craven County budget for fiscal year 2027," he told the board, outlining revenue trends, major capital projects and the county's fiscal priorities.
The recommended budget highlights a new five-year Capital Improvement Plan that funds projects including a Government Center East in Havelock (planned to house agencies such as the DMV, Probation/Parole and Social Services), Sudan site acquisition and parking, renovation of a Martin Drive facility for Facilities/Maintenance, a Cove City Library expansion with 15 new parking spaces, and a 300-ton chiller replacement at the Judicial Center.
Education funding remains a central allocation: the recommendation includes $26,552,876 for Craven County Schools (roughly a 4% increase) to cover personnel and operating costs, and $5,379,486 for Craven Community College (about a 5.9% increase). The budget also includes $2,898,576 in capital project funding and a $500,000 allocation to a capital reserve fund.
Veit detailed revenue pressures and adjustments: projected declines in Medicaid Hold Harmless revenue ($750,000), a SNAP administrative revenue reduction ($612,514), and a lower ABC Board contribution (budgeted at $650,000). He also proposed modest fee adjustments for building inspection and water tap/service fees to better align costs with peer jurisdictions and cover service expenses.
On personnel and benefits, the budget keeps net position growth minimal, adds five full-time positions (including a Social Worker III and two Detention Officer I positions), projects employee benefit cost increases of $1,625,809 due to rising health and retirement costs, and recommends a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees.
The board voted to set a public hearing on the recommended budget for 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2026 (motion by Commissioner Sherry Hunt; seconded by Commissioner Tim Mason), approving the schedule unanimously. The recommended budget will be available for public inspection in the County Manager's Office and on the county website.
