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Craven County advances FY27 budget; schedules June 1 vote, funds schools and capital items
Summary
At a May 19 budget work session the Craven County Board of Commissioners approved multiple budget decisions — including a $1.035 million operating allocation for Craven County Schools, a $1.735 million iPad lease and $1.2 million in capital upgrades — and agreed to consider the proposed FY27 budget ordinance on June 1, 2026.
Craven County commissioners met May 19 in New Bern to continue a budget work session and moved several major operating and capital items closer to final approval. County Manager Jack B. Veit, III presented staff recommendations and the board voted on multiple motions that shape the proposed FY27 county budget.
The Board approved an amended staff recommendation to allocate $1,035,000 in additional operating support to Craven County Schools, a figure the Board said aligns more closely with the schools’ unfunded cost request while allowing the school system an opportunity to return with more detail. The amended motion passed on a roll‑call vote, 6–1, with Commissioner Chadwick Howard voting no.
Why it matters: commissioners said the operating allocation addresses near‑term unfunded mandates while holding the schools accountable for more detailed justifications. The Board also approved funding the school system’s requested technology lease and several capital projects: a $1.735 million Apple iPad lease and $1.2 million for capital upgrades. The Board excluded a $620,000 HVAC request for a bus garage and a $25,000 Pre‑K modular renovation until staff obtains clarifying information about scope and necessity.
Manager Veit outlined funding options and constraints discussed during debate, including the use of Lottery proceeds and school capital reserves. Commissioner Tim Mason made the motion to fund the increased operating amount; Commissioner E. T. Mitchell and others supported subsequent capital funding motions. The Board asked staff to obtain additional documentation from the schools on teacher positions and the specific capital scopes before finalizing those items.
Other budget actions: the Board agreed to appropriate the Smart Start allocation at the same level as the previous year ($38,400) but to hold the funds until staff confirms they will be used only for book purchases and not for personnel; staff reported less than $2,000 has been spent from that line so far. Craven County will consider adoption of the proposed FY27 budget ordinance on June 1, 2026 (reconvening at 3:30 PM at the Emergency Operations Center) after the public hearing, rather than waiting until June 15, as staff will present a proposed ordinance contingent on resolved 'Be Back' items.
The Board also reviewed a line‑by‑line Be Back list of follow‑up items including water billing policy discussion, RU252 appropriation timing, election early‑voting porta‑john needs, and a proposed joint skate park appropriation. Staff will return with clarifications for items left on that list.
What’s next: staff will provide requested clarifications on the schools’ capital requests (HVAC and Pre‑K modular details) and teacher lists, and present a proposed budget ordinance for the Board to consider at the June 1 reconvened meeting.
