Residents of Iredell County can anticipate maintaining their wallets in check as the Board of Commissioners voted on Tuesday to adopt a $343.8 million budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, beginning July 1. The plan, announced during the Commissioners' regular meeting, promises to support the County's continued growth while keeping property taxes steady at 50 cents per $100 of assessed value. As per a statement obtained by official announcement, this budget aims to carefully balance increased spending in vital areas with the need to remain fiscally prudent.
Iredell County Manager Beth Milton expressed the county's strategy, saying, "This budget reflects our continued commitment to responsible spending, strategic investments, and supporting the services that matter most to our residents." The budget also plans to slowly address community needs while preserving the County's strong financial position. The tax rate will continue to stay significantly lower than the state average, which hovers around 62 cents, marking a win for residents.
Education sees a notable uplift with a 5.4% increase in funding, translating to a per-pupil operational support boost and significant cash injections into both public schools and higher education institutions. Weathers Creek High School is to notably receive a budget swelling from $80 million to $130 million, with Parkertown Elementary slated to get a $52 million infusion depleting the capital reserve account. The Mitchell Community College Public Safety Training Center is also up for an expansion with funds bolstering to $23 million.
On the infrastructure and staffing front, Iredell is set to continue its 8-year Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a variety of projects like renovations, new facilities, and technological updates. Staff retention is a priority, too, with a 3% across-the-board pay-scale adjustment, even as the budget doesn’t allow to currently add any new positions. Additionally, the county is bracing to comfortably accommodate a population that has increased by 11.5% and a building permit boom with around an 18% growth year-over-year.
For more detailed insights on how the new budget will directly affect key areas of community and economic life, the entire plan can be reviewed on the Iredell County website.
