Catawba County commissioners approve 1-cent Newton Fire District increase; table county tax-rate decision

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners on May 26 approved a 1-cent tax-rate increase for the Newton Fire District, tabled a broader proposed 2.5-cent county tax-rate increase and rescheduled final adoption of the FY2026/27 budget to June 15, 2026.

County Manager Mary Furtado opened the meeting with an overview of the proposed FY2026/27 budget and the remaining decision points the Board needed to resolve. Chair Randy Isenhower then opened a public hearing; Daniel Melton, fire chief for Bandys Fire, spoke on behalf of the Bandys Fire District and expressed appreciation to the commissioners and county staff for their support of the department.

After closing the public hearing, commissioners debated a series of funding requests and tax-rate options. The Board approved the County Manager’s recommendation to raise the Newton Fire District tax rate by one cent. Commissioner Robert C. Abernethy, Jr. opposed the increase, saying Newton received a raise last year and noting what he described as a lower call volume compared with Hickory. Chair Isenhower and Vice-Chair Austin Allran said Newton used prior funds to pay fixed debt on a new fire station. The motion to adopt the 1-cent Newton increase passed 4–1, with Isenhower, Allran, Barbara Beatty and Cole Setzer voting in favor and Abernethy opposed.

The Board then considered a $10,000 funding request for Salt Block. Commissioner Abernethy raised concerns about increasing charitable contributions while taxpayers face a potential 2.5-cent tax increase and said the Foundation reportedly has a large endowment; Vice-Chair Allran said the request was intended for building costs. Vice-Chair Allran moved to table the Salt Block item until the Board decides on the county tax-rate recommendation; the motion carried unanimously.

A recommended $10,464 increase for Arts Culture Catawba was next. Chair Isenhower proposed maintaining prior-year funding levels and moved to deny the increase; that motion passed unanimously.

On the broader tax-rate question, County staff recommended a 2.5-cent increase to support approximately $264 million in project capacity. Commissioners discussed alternatives, including departmental cuts and a phased approach to cost-of-living or merit pay increases. The Board requested additional information from the County Manager and staff and agreed to convene a Special Meeting on Monday, June 8, at 8:30 a.m. to continue deliberations. Chair Isenhower moved to table the tax-rate decision until that meeting; the motion carried unanimously. County Manager Furtado said, as a result, budget adoption will take place at the Board’s regular meeting on June 15, 2026, rather than June 1.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion by Commissioner Barbara Beatty to adjourn at 7:54 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Newton Fire District 1-cent tax-rate increase — Motion to adopt carried 4–1 (Yes: Isenhower, Allran, Beatty, Setzer; No: Abernethy). - Salt Block funding ($10,000 increase) — Motion to table until tax-rate decision carried unanimously. - Arts Culture Catawba funding ($10,464 increase) — Motion to deny carried unanimously. - County tax-rate recommendation (2.5 cents) — Motion to table until Special Meeting on June 8 carried unanimously.

What’s next: The Board will hold a Special Meeting on June 8 at 8:30 a.m. for additional budget review; final adoption of the FY2026/27 Budget Ordinance is scheduled for the Board’s regular meeting on June 15, 2026.