ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Board of Commissioners approved the budget for fiscal year 2026-27 last week during the June meeting.
The balanced general fund budget totals $70,134,736 and includes a 4% pay increase for full-time employees, continued employee bonus days, funding for merit-based pay initiatives and increased support for first responders.
County Manager Bryan Land said the spending plan was the result of months of collaboration between county departments and finance staff.
“The budget is a result of combined efforts of department heads as well as many other employees who assisted with the tracking and monitoring the various revenues and expenditures,” said Land while presenting the 2026-2027 fiscal budget. “As always, I would like to sincerely thank the efforts of our finance director Mr. Cary Garner, and his team, Ms.Missy Kelly and the rest of their staff as well.”
“I feel like the proposed budget is both understandable and very straightforward,” Land said.
The budget includes a 25% increase in funding for county rescue organizations and allocates $68,000 to Derby Fire Department. Fire tax and service district rates were approved at 9 cents per $100 valuation for Northside and 10 cents per $100 valuation for Cordova, Mountain Creek and East Rockingham.
Land said property and sales tax collections helped support those investments.
“Our 25-26 property and sales tax revenue did exceed the amount budgeted for the 25-26 fiscal year, the need for these additional funds is great. Brutal inflation figures have led to higher prices which have bolstered sales tax performance,” said Land. “I’m pleased to state that this budget includes a 25% increase for our county rescue organizations as well as an allocation of $68,000 to Derby Fire Department.”
The budget also maintains parks and recreation funding for municipalities at last year’s levels, while Dobbins Heights and Hoffman will receive one-time funding increases for youth and senior projects.
“All municipalities will continue to receive allocations for parks and recreation at the same level as last year, with the exception of Dobbins Heights and Hoffman, which will receive one-time increases for youth and senior projects,” Land said.
Richmond County Schools will receive an additional $941,658, a 9.3% increase from the previous fiscal year, while Richmond Community College will receive an additional $189,286, representing a 7.8% increase.
“I sincerely appreciate the willingness and cooperation of Dr. Ferrell and Mr. Barbee throughout the budget process and their teams,” Land said.
Personnel costs account for approximately 44% of the county’s budget. In addition to the 4% pay raise, the spending plan continues two bonus days for full-time employees and provides funding for merit-based compensation.
“Although the current budget is constricted, this is something myself, our finance director, Mr. Garner, our HR director, as well as our board of commissioners made it priority to work in this budget,” Land said. “This budget also includes the retention of the two bonus days for all full-time employees. As I state often, we must do everything we can to protect our most valuable asset—our employees.”
The county will also continue operating its employee health clinic through the Richmond County Health Department.
“The proposed budget also includes a small amount of funds to continue our merit-based pay program for employees. These plans have helped us reward and retain those employees who mean the most to our citizens. I continue to fund the county employee health clinic, operated through the local health department, that began on a limited scale 15 years ago. The clinic will continue to be operated at little or not cost our employees. The benefits of this clinic may positively affect not only to the general health of our employees, but our health insurance costs over the long haul. Our health director, Heather Horne and I both feel very strongly about continuing to operate the clinic,” Land said.
Land noted that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina initially proposed a 14.84% increase in health insurance costs, but the county was able to reduce the increase to 1.86%.
During his budget presentation, Land highlighted the county’s financial progress over the past nine years, including growth in fund balance reserves and a significant reduction in debt.
“Over the last nine years, the county has made great strides in improving our overall financial picture. We’ve increased our unassigned fund balance percentage from 5.03% to 48.69%. Additionally, our available fund balance has increased from 11.82% to 55.88% currently,” Land said.
“Our debt burden has been slashed by almost 50%, or roughly $23 million from $44 million to $21 million during the same time frame to $21 million during the same time frame,” said Land. “It is important to note that we’ve been very fortunate with our investment income over the last three years, as interest rates have risen to levels we haven’t witnessed in over two decades, allowing us to increase our yield on investments considerably. However, this high-interest-rate environment, we have become accustomed to, is nearing an end and our savings yield has already started to deteriorate. It’s rates have dropped 1,500 basis points over the last 18-24 months.”
Land said developing the budget was particularly challenging as the county continues through its four-year property revaluation process amid rising real estate values.
“This budget has been a tremendous challenge for the entire staff and I. As you’re aware, we’re two years into our four year reval process and are witnessing some of the first major price appreciation in real estate in our county that we’ve experienced in well over two decades,” Land said. “This can be attributed to the smoldering real estate market that we’ve witnessed nationwide since and during COVID.”
The county continues to carry debt associated with $25 million in school bonds and an additional $20 million for the judicial center.
Land said the county’s financial position has improved significantly from previous years.
“Our fund balance in past years… has dwindled to inadequate levels. I am pleased those frustrating times are in the rearview mirror. Our current ad valorem tax rate of 73 cent has made recruiting new industries less challenging than it used to be and we continue to outpace our peers in the economic development around,” Land said.
Commissioners also approved the county’s enterprise fund budgets.
The solid waste budget is balanced at $4,955,315 and includes a 2.8% increase for commercial customers and a 2.7% increase for residential customers.
“It’s a good note that we’ve absorbed increases of 1.6%, 2.5%, 3%, 5.5%, 4.4% and 4.7% over the last six years from Uwharrie Environmental based on CPI alone,” Land said. “That waste increase contract is bumping almost a 35% increase… if you remember last year alone, we had a 42% increase just in tire disposal fees.”
The water fund budget is balanced at $7,467,389. Residential, commercial and industrial rates will increase by 2%, with Land estimating the residential increase will add about 50 cents to most monthly bills.
“If you recall, occasional rate increases are needed to keep up with operational costs, including the cost of chemicals, electricity and fuel,” Land said.