Caswell County adopts $40.8 million FY2027 budget; property tax rate unchanged

The Caswell County Board of Commissioners adopted the county's fiscal year 2027 budget on June 15, approving ordinances that total $40,842,000 across all funds while keeping the property tax rate at 62.7 cents per $100 valuation. Mr. Horton, the county's finance director, told commissioners the adopted budget reflects board guidance from work sessions and a June public hearing and does not rely on recurring appropriations of fund balance.

The budget preserves core services but eliminates 29 positions and establishes 270 authorized full-time equivalents countywide. Horton said the general fund's largest appropriations are public safety ($10.7 million), general government ($5.44 million) and debt service ($1.5 million). The budget sets public-school current expense at just over $3.0 million with $400,000 in school capital outlay and a $255,000 transfer to a school capital reserve funded by Article 42 receipts.

Commissioner Holt moved to adopt the set of ordinances as presented; Commissioner Clack seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Commissioner Smith noted the board approved a teacher supplement request submitted by the school board and urged continued progress on civic-center negotiations with the school system. Commissioner Holt and others cautioned that restoring eliminated positions will depend on future revenue growth or other policy changes.

Horton said two board-directed adjustments were incorporated into the adopted budget: a $15,076 addition for a veteran service officer contract with Alamance County and a $50,000 reduction in debt service because the board directed the ambulance remount be purchased in FY26 rather than financed in FY27. Technical corrections on planning and detention-center retirement costs were also included to balance revenue and expenditure lines.

The board will finalize implementing details, including any necessary ordinance signatures and staff assignments, and will reconvene on routine items at its next meeting. No public compensation increase was included in the adopted FY27 budget; the board said employee pay and staffing will be revisited as financial conditions permit.