Yadkin County leaders discuss FY2027 budget, outreach for quarter‑cent sales tax that could raise about $980,000

YADKINVILLE, N.C. — Yadkin County commissioners and the Yadkin County Board of Education met March 30 to review preliminary FY2027 budget plans and the county’s outreach on a possible quarter‑cent sales tax that County Manager Michael Silverman said could raise roughly $980,000 a year.

Silverman told the joint meeting the initial FY2027 budget draft is complete and under review, with department and fire department briefings scheduled and a final county budget workshop planned for late May ahead of a June adoption. He said 178 people had responded so far to the county’s survey on how to use any quarter‑cent revenue, and that respondents ranked education first, followed by economic development and fire services. Silverman said the county will hold ten in‑person information meetings in April and May and that the commissioners will vote in early June on whether to add a referendum to the November ballot.

"It is a great opportunity for the citizens and local organizations to work together to get the quarter cent sales tax increase passed so the County can obtain the additional funds that are needed," Silverman said.

Superintendent Anthony Davis urged continued local support for schools as the district finalizes its FY2027 request. Davis told the boards changes in state allocations will leave the district with an estimated net shortfall of about $275,000 for FY2027. He said the district plans to limit new hires to those justified by average daily membership, is budgeting for an anticipated 4%–8% state pay increase, and expects higher health insurance, retirement and utility costs.

Davis also asked for targeted local funding to preserve school resource officers, raise coach stipends (which he said have not increased since 2009), support beginning‑teacher professional development, and fund special projects. He said the district’s fund balance has remained steady and that the district is trying to keep capital requests about the same as the current year.

"Sales tax is the most equitable tax because it impacts everyone, not just the citizens," Davis said, noting that visitors who pass through the county would also pay the sales tax while property tax affects only property owners.

When asked how much revenue a quarter‑cent would produce, Silverman said the county estimates about $980,000 annually — roughly equivalent to raising the property tax rate by $0.025. He said county staff have shared information with libraries and volunteer fire departments and plan to brief town councils as part of the outreach.

The Board of Education recessed its meeting during the joint session. Commissioners later voted 5–0 to adjourn the Board of Commissioners meeting after a motion from Commissioner Tim Parks and a second from Vice Chairman Frank Zachary.

The next procedural steps are the informational meetings in April and May and a county decision in early June on whether to place the quarter‑cent sales tax referendum on the November ballot. The county also expects to complete and adopt the FY2027 budget in June.