Board adopts FY2026–27 budget, restricts travel and updates fee schedule

Edgecombe County’s Board of Commissioners approved the FY2026–27 budget on June 22, adopting ordinances that set a recommended property tax rate of $0.89 per $100 of assessed value and a total general‑fund budget of approximately $82.17 million.

County staff said the recommended budget uses a fund‑balance appropriation of roughly $9.4 million (a reduction from the current year) and includes no immediate cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees as part of a plan to restore the county’s unassigned fund balance (which, per the audit referenced in the presentation, was below the county target). Personnel costs remain the single largest component of spending (about 46.5 percent). To slow expenditure growth and restore reserves, the county manager recommended pausing discretionary incentive programs (credential and educational bonuses), restricting travel and training, and holding some outside‑agency funding flat except where formula or statutory obligations exist.

As part of the budget package, the board approved temporary administrative guidelines limiting county‑funded travel and training through June 30, 2027. The policy permits county funding for activities deemed essential (statutory/regulatory compliance, required certifications, public‑safety readiness, or direct service delivery) and requires county‑manager approval for overnight or out‑of‑state travel; virtual and local training are to be prioritized.

The board also adopted updates to the county fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. Staff said the changes align fees with actual costs for emergency medical services, planning and inspections, water and sewer services (reflecting provider increases), and solid‑waste disposal (reflecting revised landfill tipping and transport fees). County leaders indicated water and sewer enterprise funds will include fee adjustments to match wholesale cost increases from supplier municipalities.

Several outside‑agency funding items were approved with recusals where commissioners had conflicts of interest: Commissioner Harris was excused from votes involving the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and Edgecombe Community College; Commissioner Thorne was excused from funding for Carolina’s Gateway Partnership; Commissioner Webb was excused from the Upper Coastal Plains Council of Governments vote; Commissioner Whitley was excused on the Brazwell Memorial Library vote. After recusal votes, the board approved the recommended outside‑agency appropriations as listed in the agenda packet.

What happens next: The county manager is authorized to administer the travel/training guidelines and to return with additional implementation details as needed. Staff will post the budget ordinances and the advisory-group report materials on the county website for public access.

Sources: County manager’s budget presentation, agenda packet and subsequent board votes on June 22, 2026.