The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2026-2027 budget totaling $111,592,235 and lowered the tax rate from 0.4975 to 0.4666, which is revenue neutral.
"We worked closely with our county leadership to develop a budget that would both reduce the property tax rate and meet the needs of our residents and employees,” said Caldwell County Board of Commissioners Chair Randy Church. “I am proud to adopt a budget that sets a revenue neutral tax rate and continues to make improvements to public safety, maintain benefits for staff, and provide additional education funding."
The budget includes a 5% cost-of-living increase for Department of Social Services employees, absorbs $3 million in rising health care and retirement costs for all employees, and continues merit pay for all employees. The budget expands emergency response by adding one new detective and five new telecommunicator positions. This budget also provides $500,000 for school resource officers and $140,000 to replace a roof at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
The budget ordinance includes an increase in water rates from $29.68 to $31.15 for the average user. Caldwell County purchases water from the City of Lenoir and when the city increases rates, the increase is passed along to the customer.
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