County manager unveils $192.99 million recommended budget, flags school requests and staffing additions
May 29, 2026 | Rockingham County, North Carolina
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County Manager Lance Mess presented the manager's recommended fiscal year budget, a $192,989,361 package that includes a $140,523,568 general fund and a recommended ad valorem rate of 57.9, a modest decrease from the current 58.01.
“This is basically the budget in a nutshell,” Mess told the board as he outlined major drivers, noting the process began with an approximate $22 million gap largely attributable to an $8 million schools request, $1.7 million in increased fringe benefits and $7.3 million in capital outlay requests. He told commissioners the county projects a tax base of roughly $13.09 billion and estimated the value of one penny on the tax rate at $1,284,234.
Mess outlined revenue assumptions and changes: a modest increase in sales tax, an estimated $75 million in ad valorem revenue, a projected $200,000 in additional interest earnings from locked‑in rates and higher EMS fees based on comparisons with surrounding counties. He also said state and federal support for some social service reimbursements has dropped (from roughly 50% to 25% in some programs), creating near‑term local pressure.
On personnel, the manager recommended 10 new positions and one reclassification, to be funded through a mix of sources. The new posts include a two‑year pilot grant writer (funded from fund balance until reimbursed by successful grants), five EMS positions to run a higher‑volume shift in Stokesdale, three water‑and‑sewer positions to bring operations in‑house, and a dental hygienist for public health operations. The recommended compensation package includes a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment and an average 3% merit increase; Mess also proposed reinstating retiree health insurance for employees with at least 20 years of service to aid recruitment and retention.
The recommended capital improvement plan lists vehicle and technology replacements, an ambulance purchase, animal shelter fixes, Eden Library improvements and set‑asides for future public facility needs including a proposed Health & Human Services expansion. Mess told the board he would return in June with follow‑up documents on several items, including a proposed repayment schedule for water and sewer to the general fund.
The manager said the recommended budget reduces reliance on fund balance compared with previous years but still includes roughly $2.66 million from fund balance, including $315,773 for one‑time items. He closed by inviting commissioners to identify which departmental presentations they wanted to hear in detail, and the board proceeded to departmental briefings on RCC, the school system, HHS and the sheriff’s office.
Next steps: staff will return draft budget ordinance and budget amendments to the board for final action at the scheduled public meeting.
“This is basically the budget in a nutshell,” Mess told the board as he outlined major drivers, noting the process began with an approximate $22 million gap largely attributable to an $8 million schools request, $1.7 million in increased fringe benefits and $7.3 million in capital outlay requests. He told commissioners the county projects a tax base of roughly $13.09 billion and estimated the value of one penny on the tax rate at $1,284,234.
Mess outlined revenue assumptions and changes: a modest increase in sales tax, an estimated $75 million in ad valorem revenue, a projected $200,000 in additional interest earnings from locked‑in rates and higher EMS fees based on comparisons with surrounding counties. He also said state and federal support for some social service reimbursements has dropped (from roughly 50% to 25% in some programs), creating near‑term local pressure.
On personnel, the manager recommended 10 new positions and one reclassification, to be funded through a mix of sources. The new posts include a two‑year pilot grant writer (funded from fund balance until reimbursed by successful grants), five EMS positions to run a higher‑volume shift in Stokesdale, three water‑and‑sewer positions to bring operations in‑house, and a dental hygienist for public health operations. The recommended compensation package includes a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment and an average 3% merit increase; Mess also proposed reinstating retiree health insurance for employees with at least 20 years of service to aid recruitment and retention.
The recommended capital improvement plan lists vehicle and technology replacements, an ambulance purchase, animal shelter fixes, Eden Library improvements and set‑asides for future public facility needs including a proposed Health & Human Services expansion. Mess told the board he would return in June with follow‑up documents on several items, including a proposed repayment schedule for water and sewer to the general fund.
The manager said the recommended budget reduces reliance on fund balance compared with previous years but still includes roughly $2.66 million from fund balance, including $315,773 for one‑time items. He closed by inviting commissioners to identify which departmental presentations they wanted to hear in detail, and the board proceeded to departmental briefings on RCC, the school system, HHS and the sheriff’s office.
Next steps: staff will return draft budget ordinance and budget amendments to the board for final action at the scheduled public meeting.
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