A public hearing to discuss the proposed 2025-2026 county budget was held at the May 19th meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. Jennifer Herman, Finance Director, presented the budget message to the board.
The proposed general fund budget totals $60,327,132, which is a 6.5 percent increase over the current year’s adopted budget. Herman said the increase is driven primarily by inflationary cost pressures, critical service needs, and targeted investments in county infrastructure and personnel. The property tax rate is proposed to remain at 65 cents per $100 valuation.
“A collective group of conservative folks has been working on this budget. I appreciate everyone’s input as we work together to move Alexander County forward,” said Chairman Marty Pennell. “We do have several needs in this county, and we must find ways to fulfill those needs. We also have wants and quality of life to consider. This budget tackles a number of important issues.”
Herman said with the growth in property valuation hovering around one percent and sales tax revenues remaining the same or less than last year, the county plans to appropriate $5,033,000 of fund balance to balance the general fund budget.
The proposed budget includes a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all county employees, with an additional raise for most employees in the sheriff’s office, detention, 911 communications, and EMS.
Herman said the following new positions are included in the proposed budget: eight paramedics to form an additional EMS crew, a part-time position in emergency management, a social worker in DSS adult protective services, and a part-time position for the senior center.
She said county departments requested $3,581,590 in capital outlay expenditures, but not all requests could be funded.
“While reviewing requests, an emphasis was placed on items critical to safety, infrastructure maintenance, and continuity of county operations,” said Herman.
The major capital expenditures include $324,000 for a new ambulance with a power load stretcher; $339,000 for four vehicles for the sheriff’s office; $358,000 for buildings and grounds improvements; $142,325 for 911 communications equipment; $120,000 for three DSS vehicles; $250,000 for a rubber tire loader at the landfill; and $680,000 to replace two water lines.
Herman said there are some proposed fee increases in the budget. EMS has proposed to increase billing fees by $50, implement a $50 public assist fee, and increase the mileage fee from $11 to $13 per mile. In the solid waste fund, convenience site fees are proposed at $2 per 30-gallon bag, which marks the first increase since 2015. Landfill fees are proposed to increase by $5 per ton for both construction and demolition debris and household, commercial, and industrial waste. The last landfill fee increase occurred in 2021.
Most fire departments requested additional general fund appropriations or fire tax rate increases to support equipment and staffing. Based on the board’s consensus that fire district property tax revenues should fund fire protection services, the proposed budget maintains current-year funding levels by adjusting the fire tax rates as necessary in each district.
Ashley Starnes, Chief of Bethlehem Community Fire and Rescue, spoke during the public hearing. He said several fire chiefs addressed the board on May 5, requesting increases for staffing, equipment, and more. Starnes said the proposed budget doesn’t include any of the requested increases and asked the board to reconsider the fire departments’ budget requests.
Alexander County Schools requested a total of $8,175,308, which is a 9.1 percent increase. The proposed budget includes an appropriation of $8,078,040, a 7.8 percent increase.
Herman said the City of Hickory is proposing 5 percent increases in water and sewer rates, subject to approval by the Hickory City Council as part of the city’s 2025-2026 budget.
The proposed budget includes numerous county projects that are underway or will begin in the new budget year. Current projects include: ARPA waterline extension project, Bowman Court sewer pump station project, Bethlehem water tank project, Alexander Industrial Park sewer extension project, Three Forks Church Road waterline extension project, Sterling Road neighborhood revitalization project, 16 West Main Avenue downtown revitalization project, and EMS Station #1 project. Upcoming projects include planning and design for East Alexander Park and renovations to EMS Station #2 in Bethlehem.
The final debt payment of $659,000 on the law enforcement and detention center will be paid in January 2026. The proposed budget also includes a debt service appropriation of $945,000 in the county water and sewer fund to make payments on four projects.
Herman expressed her appreciation to the board of commissioners, the interim county manager, clerk to the board, county attorney, department heads, and finance department staff for their leadership and assistance during the budget process.
“Together, we have developed a proposed budget that reflects the board’s priorities of being fiscally conservative while ensuring the continued operation of all county functions and service delivery to all citizens,” Herman stated.
Debra Bechtel, Interim County Manager, expressed her appreciation for Herman’s efforts during the budget process.
“I have never been so impressed with the dedication and hard work of a finance director. I have worked with quite a lot over the years who were all excellent, but Jennifer is amazing,” said Bechtel.
Commissioners are expected to adopt the proposed budget at the June 2nd meeting.
In other business:
• Commissioners approved a budget amendment to increase the Register of Deeds budget to cover estimated expenses for payments required by the state, to increase the Sheriff’s Office budget for NC Emergency Management Deployment Grant funds, to budget for the State Grant Program for County Veterans Offices from the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and to increase the Senior Center budget for Home and Community Care Block Grant funds.
• Ben Faulkenberry, County Attorney, presented updates to the board. The Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program has provided an additional $320,000 to Brightspeed to offer high-speed internet service to 125 eligible locations at no cost to the county. The 11th Annual Vertical Mile Challenge Trail Race is set for Saturday, June 21 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area. The Wittenburg Access Swim Beach opens on Memorial Day, May 26. County offices will be closed on Memorial Day.
The next regular meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, June 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education (room #103). Regular meetings are recorded and can be viewed on the county’s Government Channel on Spectrum channel 192 or the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/alexandercountync. Meeting agendas, minutes, videos, and more are available on the county’s website at https://alexandercountync.gov/commissioners.