Cleveland County homeowners just got a rare kind of local government headline: lower tax bills. The Board of Commissioners has signed off on a $240.3 million spending plan for fiscal year 2025–2026 and trimmed the county property tax rate from 54.75¢ to 40.5¢ per $100 of assessed value, a cut of about 26 percent. The change follows a countywide revaluation and keeps the county rate three cents below the revenue-neutral mark used during the budget process.
Budget, Breakdown and Priorities
According to Cleveland County, the adopted budget totals $240,337,726 across the General, Special Revenue, Capital Projects, Debt Service and Enterprise funds. The budget book lays out a $194.6 million General Fund and sets aside money for capital projects, public safety and school support within a balanced framework built around a revenue-neutral target.
Tax-Rate Cut, Revaluation and Local Impact
The board lowered the county millage by 14.25¢, dropping it from 54.75¢ to 40.5¢ per $100, a change county officials highlighted throughout the adoption process on social media. Cleveland County Government and the county's budget materials both note that the new rate sits three cents below the revenue-neutral level. County meeting records indicate an expectation of about $59.58 million in ad valorem receipts for the county portion of the levy and roughly $73.9 million in total ad valorem revenue across county-administered tax funds, according to the Board of County Commissioners minutes.
Where the Tax Dollars Go
Property tax remains the biggest single source of local funding for many core services. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners reports that, on average, about 70% of property-tax revenue across counties goes to education, public safety and health and human services. In NCACC's County Property Tax 101, the Cleveland County move is framed as the typical post-revaluation choice to dial back the millage rate instead of using higher values to significantly increase county revenue.
Deadlines and What Homeowners Should Know
For property owners, the calendar is still just as important as the rate. Taxes are due September 1 and become past due on January 6, according to the NCACC guide, which notes that interest and penalties begin once a bill is delinquent. The association also urges taxpayers to check with their county tax office for details on when bills are mailed, what payment methods are available and how Tag-and-Tax Together works for vehicle registrations.
How to Follow the Board
The Board of Commissioners holds public meetings in the commissioners' chambers at the County Administration Building, 311 E. Marion Street in Shelby, and posts the full budget book and schedule online. Cleveland County and the county's Facebook update list meeting dates through June, including March 17, April 21, May 5 and May 19, where residents can attend, watch proceedings or sign up for public comment.
