Union County is holding the line on property taxes while pumping hundreds of millions into schools and core services, after the Board of Commissioners signed off on a $664.31 million operating and capital budget for FY2027.
Commissioners approved the spending plan at their June 16 meeting, keeping the countywide property tax rate at 43.42 cents per $100 of assessed value. The budget, which takes effect July 1, blends recurring operating dollars with one-time capital spending and contingency funds for teacher stipends, emergency medical services and economic development. County leaders say the plan protects basic services and shifts money to match population growth and school needs.
To help residents follow the money, the county shared a one-page “Where do your tax dollars go?” graphic on its official Facebook page on July 1, laying out the big numbers and revenue mix. The snapshot shows education taking roughly half of overall county spending and highlights property taxes as the single largest revenue source, according to Union County Government on Facebook. The post functions as a quick explainer for anyone who does not plan to read the full ordinance.
Budget Breakdown And Priorities
The Board’s official budget materials spell out major fund totals and several targeted investments, and note that the adopted plan keeps the combined tax rate unchanged while using a bifurcated tax model across funds. In its announcement, Union County lists the Education Budgetary Fund at $176,144,338 and the Education Debt Fund at $53,278,644, for a combined total of roughly $229.4 million out of the $664.31 million overall budget, a clear signal that schools remain the single largest expense. County officials emphasize that the Board wanted to keep the rate flat even as growth pressures mount.
The adopted ordinance and its attachments provide the line by line details. The plan allocates about $20.9 million to fully fund Union County Public Schools (UCPS) capital requests. It also includes a $5.6 million increase in UCPS general operating funding and sets aside $3.8 million in contingency funds that may be used for stipends for teachers and teacher assistants. On the higher education side, the budget records $4.8 million for South Piedmont Community College. For public safety and economic growth, it assigns $800,000 for Emergency Medical Services expansion and $556,000 for land acquisition aimed at recruiting new industry and growing the commercial tax base. The full ordinance and attachments are available on the county website for those who want to dig into every appropriation.
What It Means For Taxpayers
The Facebook budget snapshot shows property taxes accounting for about 60.6 percent of expected revenue, with sales tax, intergovernmental funding and various fees making up most of the rest. In other words, homeowners and other property owners still shoulder the biggest share of the county’s tab, even as other revenue streams help round things out.
The adopted budget also continues previously approved utility rate adjustments. The materials authorize water and sewer rate changes intended to support planned infrastructure projects, including work connected to the Catawba River water supply effort. Local information from prior tax seasons notes that bills and payment details are posted and mailed on a regular schedule, so residents who follow earlier tax notices can expect routine timing and familiar payment options.
Teacher Stipends And School Funding Details
The $3.8 million in contingency funds for potential UCPS teacher and teacher assistant stipends does not flow automatically. The money is tied to the Union County Board of Education signing an interlocal agreement that would ensure the stipends actually reach classroom staff. As the county describes it in its release, the contingency is reserved “pending the Board of Education signing an interlocal agreement to ensure classroom teachers receive the increased stipend,” a structure that activates the payments only if the school board agrees.
Beyond K-12 schools, the budget spreads funding across public safety and county services while preserving reserves. General government and debt service funds, dedicated economic development dollars and enterprise funds for water, sewer and solid waste are all woven into the overall spending plan. The adopted ordinance also sets monthly reporting requirements and capital reporting for UCPS projects so commissioners receive regular updates on project spending and outstanding commitments.
Residents who want every detail can find the adopted budget ordinance and attachments on the Union County website, which lays out each fund and appropriation. For a quicker overview, the county’s Facebook explainer and official press release provide the headline numbers and the main priorities in one place.
