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WINTON – The Hertford County Board of Commissioners has approved the FY 2025-26 operating budget.

The newly adopted budget ordinance is slightly higher than the one initially presented to the board on May 19 by County Manager Oryan Lowry. The General Fund portion of that initial budget was listed at $29,936,147. The adopted budget, approved at the board’s June 16 meeting, shows a General Fund of $30,615,964, which is $679,817 more than what was originally proposed. The difference will be covered by a higher appropriation from the General Fund balance (now at $2,198,296 compared to $1,518,479 that was proposed on May 19).

Human Services gained the largest share of the departmental increases, up by $447,050 (to a new allocation of $6,277,733). Public Education spending was increased by a little over $134,000 (from $5,557,534 to $5,691596). The majority of that increase was for Public Schools – Current Expense (up by $127,562).

Public Safety ($9,800,034, an increase of $25,500) remains as the highest funded department, which includes the Sheriff’s Office, the Detention Center, Emergency Medical Services, E911 Central Communications, Emergency Management, Animal Control, Building Inspections, Medical Examiner, and allocations to each of the county’s rural volunteer fire departments.

The remainder of the budget expenditures for FY 25-26 are $6,403,385 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 $248,927 for Special Appropriations (tax money donated to non-profit/community based organizations).

On the revenue side, the greatest amount will be 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 property tax rate remains unchanged at 84 cents per $100 of value.

The newly adopted budget still allows for a two percent raise for all county employees.

Customers of the county’s water districts will see a 2.5 percent rate increase (base rate moves from $40 to $41 monthly), aligned with the Consumer Price Index. That rate increase was announced at the May 19 meeting.

“Small regular increases are essential in keeping pace with inflation and avoiding large rate hikes in the future,” Lowry said.

He added that the budget illustrates and incorporates the guidance, goals and directives identified by the board of commissioners.

On a motion from Commissioner Ronald Gatling and a second from Commissioner Leroy Douglas, the budget and the fee schedule were adopted by unanimous vote.

The new budget and schedule of fees become effective July 1.