Iredell Commissioners Approve $352 Million Budget, Hold Tax Rate Steady Despite Growth Pressures

STATESVILLE, N.C. — The Iredell County Board of Commissioners has approved a $352.1 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, keeping the county property tax rate unchanged at 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation while addressing the challenges of rapid population growth, shifting state and federal funding, and increasing demands on county services.

The adopted budget, which takes effect July 1, 2026, reflects county leaders' efforts to maintain fiscal discipline while continuing investments in public safety, education, and critical infrastructure.

County officials noted that Iredell County's tax rate remains among the lowest in North Carolina, ranking 28th lowest statewide.

A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to education, including $77.79 million in current expense funding for Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded School District, and Mitchell Community College. The spending plan also includes $17.76 million for school capital projects and nearly $30 million in education-related debt service.

The budget allocates substantial funding for major capital improvements across the county. Among the largest investments are $11.75 million for the ongoing Courthouse Expansion Project, $3.6 million for ambulance replacements, and $1.79 million to replace emergency dispatch radio consoles used by first responders.

County leaders are planning for continued growth. Iredell County added more than 5,000 residents over the past year, representing a 2.8 percent population increase and placing it among the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina.

Despite growing service demands, the budget does not fund any new positions due to revenue constraints. Instead, county officials reclassified six vacant positions to address critical staffing needs, including converting four positions to deputy sheriff roles. Nineteen vacant positions were eliminated to help offset the cost of unfunded mandates and maintain budget stability.

County employees will receive a 3 percent pay scale adjustment beginning in July 2026.

The board also approved a $16.3 million contribution to the county's Future Capital Reserve Fund following a year of significant school construction investments. The All-County Fire Tax rate will remain unchanged at 9 cents, generating an estimated $23.5 million for fire protection services countywide.

In addition to adopting the annual budget ordinance, commissioners approved amendments to multi-year capital project ordinances for the Facility Improvement Fund and Fairgrounds Project, adopted an opioid settlement spending resolution, authorized the county manager to exempt certain county projects from competitive bidding when county staff can perform the work internally, and increased the federal procurement micro-purchase threshold.

“This budget reflects months of careful analysis, collaboration, and tough decision-making,” said Board Chair Bert Connolly. “Our goal has always been to balance the needs of a rapidly growing county with our responsibility to taxpayers, and I’m proud of the transparent, thoughtful process that brought us here. We remain committed to keeping Iredell County strong, efficient, and responsive to the people we serve.”

County officials say the budget positions Iredell to continue meeting the needs of a growing population while maintaining one of the state's lowest property tax rates and preserving essential services.