Pittsboro, NC – On June 16, 2025, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved (4-0 vote with the absence of Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores) the County budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The budget of $288.3 million prioritizes support for education and public safety while also focusing on growth and critical services. The FY25 budget was $278.0 million.
The budget calls for a tax rate of 60 cents per $100 of valuation, which is a decrease from the current rate of 72.5 cents per $100 of valuation. This is the first budget that reflects the property valuation change of the 2025 revaluation. The “revenue neutral” tax rate is the tax rate that based on those new valuations would generate the same amount of revenue (excluding any new growth/property). The revenue neutral tax rate is 52.96 cents per $100 valuation.
The FY26 budget includes some revisions that staff made at the request of the Board:
• Water Utility debt will remain after the transfer of the utility system to Sanford/TriRiver Water that could not be paid off and was not allowed to be transferred to Sanford/TriRiver. The County will retain sufficient Utility Enterprise fund revenues to cover the remaining debt costs until it is fully paid. The funds retained will be restricted for this purpose.
• A full-time Elections Coordinator position will be created for the Elections Department. This position is approved with a start date of no sooner than August 1, 2025.
Board of Commissioners Chair Karen Howard noted that the budget delivers critically needed services and places the County on stable financial footing for the future. “It is a very unique time for Chatham County as we have seen marked changes in consumer spending and a slowdown in new residential development, yet we are still in the midst of significant growth and change within the county,” said Howard. “Throughout this budget, we are focused on ensuring the development that is occurring is well monitored and aligns with the long-term vision that Plan Chatham has laid out for Chatham County.”
“I am confident that this budget will enable us to address current challenges, seize opportunities for growth and innovation, and continue building a stronger, more resilient Chatham County,” said Chatham County Manager Bryan Thompson.
New and Increased County Fees
There are several new fees and increases to current fees in the FY26 budget which include:
• Planning – Significant changes to fee structure to increase equity and consistency of fee charges and to account for increasing cost of service provision.
• Aging Services – Centers for Active Living day trip fee that will equal cost of venue/event admission, allowing Aging Services to book at group rates and create savings for participants.
• Solid Waste & Recycling – $20 Increase to Solid Waste Fee (from $137 to $157 annually), which is necessary for the enterprise fund to continue to recoup costs generated to run the service.
Fire District Tax Rates
Since FY26 is a revaluation year, revenue neutral property tax rates for each fire district are also presented in the budget. Of the 11 fire departments that provide services within Chatham County, five departments will have a tax rate reduction from the previous year’s rate – only one of those rates is reduced to the revenue neutral rate; however, they are reductions from the FY25 approved rate. The Parkwood district is served via contract by the City of Durham and will be reduced to the revenue neutral rate.
County Staff Pay
The FY26 budget also includes a 4% increase in pay for County staff. “While many expenses are necessary to continue movement toward our goals, competitive salaries are essential to attracting and retaining our greatest asset, talented professional staff,” added Thompson.
Community members can view the approved FY26 budget on the County website. The budget is also available for inspection at the County Manager’s Office.