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WINTON – Hertford County Manager Oryan Lowry has submitted his proposed FY 2025-26 budget, one that maintains the current ad valorem tax rate, keeps level funding of core services, and allows for a two percent raise for all county employees.

The General Fund portion of the budget is $29,936,147 which is slightly less than the current FY 2024-25 budget of $30,278,407 that was adopted in June of last year.

Lowry’s new budget proposes to appropriate the largest share of taxpayer money to Public Education, Public Safety, and Human Services.

“In the broadest of financial terms, Hertford County categorizes expenditures at the functional level. As with previous fiscal years, Public Education, Public Safety and Human Services continue to be the three largest expenditure functions within the budget,” Lowry said at the May 19 meeting of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners where he submitted his budget message.

If approved, Public Safety will receive $9,774,534 in the FY 25-26 budget. The Sheriff’s Office ($3,072,565), the Detention Center ($2,565,654) and Emergency Medical Services ($2,088,723) will gain the lion’s share of the Public Safety funding.

Human Services is projected to receive $5,830,683 in the new budget year. Of that amount, DSS Administration will receive the largest share ($3,469,357).

Public Education is earmarked for $5,557,534. Public Schools – Current Expense ($4,252,063) will gain the most of that money. That proposed amount is exactly the same in the current year budget. Roanoke-Chowan Community College is projected to receive $1,087,471 plus another $146,500 in Capital Outlay funding. In the current budget year, RCCC received $1,044,035 from the county.

The remainder of the projected expenditures are $6,352,164 for General Government; $1,648,564 to pay for annual debt service (loans used to build the county courthouse/administration offices, DSS Building #1, and Ahoskie Elementary School); $525,195 for Economic and Physical Development; and $247,473 for Special Appropriations (tax money donated to non-profit/community based organizations).

Lowry noted that the funding for Special Appropriations is less than the current year ($269,641).

“Funding for outside agencies has been budgeted at 90 percent of FY 2025 levels, a difficult but necessary step to balance available resources,” he said.

As for projected revenue, the greatest amount is generated by ad valorem (property) taxes, which are expected to be $13,752,484. State and local sales tax ($6,906,564) and vehicle taxes ($1,820,000) will add significantly to the projected revenue.

The new financial spreadsheet also appropriates $1,518,479 as budget revenue from the General Fund Balance.

The current property tax rate of 84 cents per $100 of value is maintained.

“Hertford County has a vetted track record for financial oversight and management, which demonstrates prudent stewardship of the citizens’ money,” Lowry said during his budget message. “The Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 planning document is an example of sound budgetary practices and fiscal responsibility. As a planning tool, it has allowed the county to maintain a strong financial position while meeting the service demands and expectations of the community.”

As for the raises for county employees, Lowry noted the two percent hike was based upon the current Consumer Price Index as well as guidance from the Board of Commissioners.

He added that health insurance premiums for county employees are expected to rise by 12 percent, or approximately $10,800 per employee.

“Additionally, the county is absorbing an increase in contributions to the Local Government Employees Retirement System,” Lowry stated.

“We have attempted to provide an equitable and balanced recommendation, which preserves competitive compensation and benefits package while demonstrating value and validity to the taxpayers and general citizenry,” he added.

There is a projected 2.5 percent rate increase for the county’s water and sewer districts. Lowry said that increase, aligned with the Consumer Price Index, is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of these services.

“Small, regular increases are essential to keeping pace with inflation and avoiding larger rate hikes in the future,” he said. “The adjustment will move the base rate from $40 to $41 which is an adjustment of $1.”

In closing, Lowry said balancing the FY 25-26 budget required difficult decisions and careful prioritization.

“While not every departmental request could be met, the budget maintains core services, invests in employees, and prepares for future financial needs without burdening taxpayers with an increased rate,” he stressed.

The Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing for the proposed budget at 9:15 a.m. at their meeting on Monday, June 2. State law mandates that the new budget must be adopted by June 30. It goes into effect on July 1.