Alamance County Proposes $239M Budget With Tax Increase

Alamance County Manager Heidi York presented a $239.1 million General Fund budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 on May 18, proposing a 2.25-cent property tax increase and eliminating 50.2 vacant positions to close a $13 million deficit.

The budget shrinks by $3 million from the current year and sets the property tax rate at 51.65 cents per $100 of assessed value. York's plan avoids drawing from unassigned fund balance, a departure from last year when the county spent $11 million in reserves to cover recurring costs.

That spending dropped the fund balance to 15.1% of total expenditures, below the board's required 20% minimum. York said rebuilding reserves is critical to maintain the county's bond ratings and emergency response capacity.

Federal and state revenue cuts of $4.9 million compound the challenge. New Medicaid requirements, a reduction in SNAP administration reimbursement from 50% to 25%, and an affordable housing property tax exemption together reduce available revenue by more than $1.4 million.

The Alamance-Burlington School System would receive $85.2 million, a $1.45 million increase in current expense funding. Per-pupil funding would rise $77 to $2,328. Alamance Community College is recommended to receive $10.1 million. Education accounts for 40% of the county budget.

The county surveyed residents for budget input this year and received 889 responses. Residents ranked education, public safety, and quality of life as top priorities.

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6:30 p.m. June 1.