Pittsboro, NC — On June 15, 2026, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the County budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The budget of $303.2 million calls for a maintained property tax rate of 60 cents per $100 of valuation and prioritizes funding for education and public safety while supporting growth and essential services.
Community members can view the approved FY27 budget on the County website. The budget is also available for inspection at the County Manager’s Office.
The FY27 budget includes some revisions that staff made at the request of the Board:
• Reductions to the Recommended Budget [-$161,237]
o Reduction in the Finance Department budget from the removal of a vacant position. [-$100,622]
o Reduction in Property/General Liability Insurance budgets across County departments. [-$37,610]
o Reduction in the Board of Elections budget for temporary positions due to the addition of the part-time Elections Assistant position in FY27. [-$23,005]
• Increases to the Recommended Budget [+$161,237]
o Increase to reflect updated cost estimates and the recategorization of expenses across county departments. [+$78,214]
o Increase in the Nonprofit Allocations budget to fund Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy in FY27. [+$40,000].
o Increase to the Diversion & Advocacy Programs budget to fund a Driver’s License Restoration Clinic [+$20,000]
o Increase in the Aging Services budget to fund additional hours for a part-time to full-time Lead Nutrition Services Assistant position. [+$15,730]
o Increase in the Board of Elections budget to fund a reclassification for the Elections Voting Equipment Technician position. [+$7,293]
“This budget reflects our commitment to delivering the essential services our residents rely on every day while maintaining the County’s long-term financial stability,” said Amanda Robertson, Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chair.
“Following a property revaluation year, we recognized the importance of providing tax relief and certainty for our taxpayers. By adopting a budget that does not increase the property tax rate, we are balancing responsible stewardship of public resources with the needs of our growing community and positioning the County on solid financial footing for the future.”
New and Increased County Fees
There are several new fees and increases to current fees in the FY27 budget which include:
• Watershed Protection – New fees and fee changes to address market rate updates and recovery of extensive review and enforcement costs.
• Planning – New fees and fee changes to address increased application volume, staff review, and public process costs.
• Inspections – Fee changes to address higher service costs and improve equity across charges.
• Agriculture & Conference Center – New fees to address added staffing and cleaning for late-night events.
Fire District Tax Rates
Of the 12 fire districts that provide services within Chatham County, six districts will see a rate increase in FY27.
Fire department highlights include:
• Bells Annex along with North Chatham will receive a 1.3 cent increase. This will bring their FY27 tax rate to 11.5 cents.
• The Circle City District, which serves the Town of Pittsboro, will receive a 0.25 cent increase. This will bring their FY27 tax rate to 11.25 cents.
• The Goldston District will receive a 1.5 cent increase. This will bring their FY27 tax rate to 11.5 cents.
• The Northview District will receive a 0.4 cent increase. This will bring their FY27 tax rate to 9.4 cents.
• The City of Durham Fire Department, which provides service for the Parkwood District, will receive an increase in their contract payment pursuant to the standing Interlocal Agreement. This district tax rate will be the revenue neutral amount. The contractual increase requires a 0.1 cent tax increase to fund. This will bring their FY27 tax rate to 8.54 cents.
County Staff Pay
The FY27 budget also includes a 3% increase in pay for County staff.
“At the heart of every County service is a dedicated employee committed to serving our community,” added Robertson. “While strategic investments in programs, infrastructure, and operations are critical to advancing our goals, investing in our workforce remains one of our highest priorities.”