Cumberland County commissioners approve FY2027 budget, keep property tax rate

Cumberland County commissioners unanimously approved the FY2027 budget during a June 23 meeting, maintaining the county property tax rate at $0.499 while allocating funds across education, public safety, infrastructure and employee compensation.

Assistant County Manager Deborah Shaw presented the final budget ordinance and a set of adjustments made after the board’s work session. Shaw told commissioners the revised plan includes program and project allocations (for example, Connective Care at $1,398,475 and a barber shop allocation of $187,351), targeted ARPA transfers and modifications to DSS staffing. She also reported the amended all-funds total at roughly $666.46 million.

"I will first go to the adjustment to the recommended budget," Shaw said as she reviewed salary offsets, special-project ARPA funding and fund-balance appropriations. The ordinance, she said, keeps the county recreation tax at $0.05 per $100 valuation, a solid-waste fee at $130 annually and the fire district rate at $0.15 per $100 valuation. Shaw said a 2.5% cost-of-living increase will apply to employees active July 1, 2026, (excluding sheriff’s office employees covered under a separate pay plan), effective in the pay period beginning July 12, 2026, and a one-time, tiered bonus averaging about 3% is planned for payment in November 2026.

Commissioners praised staff for long hours and detailed work. "You delivered the exact budget that we asked for," the Chair said, adding that the board reached a collaborative outcome that "moves Cumberland County forward." County Manager Greer and multiple commissioners also thanked the budget and finance teams for late-night work finalizing numbers.

Before the formal vote, several commissioners spoke in support of the package. "I think this is a good budget for the people of Cumberland County," Commissioner Tyson said, thanking staff and noting the board's prior-year priorities for education and infrastructure.

Vice Chairman Jones moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to adopt the FY2027 budget.

After the vote the board convened a closed session to receive an attorney-client privileged update on 911; the board reported no actions were required upon returning from closed session and adjourned.

The budget ordinance as approved includes appropriations for the Cumberland County Board of Education and for FTCC (amounts read into the record), program allocations and multiple technical adjustments to reflect federal and state reimbursement shares. Several commissioners requested staff run a separate study if the board wishes to consider future changes to commissioner compensation; no change to commissioner pay was made as part of the FY2027 ordinance.

The county clerk will publish the adopted ordinance and technical schedules as required by local policy.