Duplin County’s proposed budget cuts tax rate by 15.5 cents

KENANSVILLE — Employee raises and school support highlight Duplin’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal plan presented by County Manager Bryan Miller last week at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. The plan totals $112,251,651 and allocates $76.48 million to the general fund, which supports the county’s essential services.

A key focus of the presentation was fiscal responsibility, driven by the Board of County Commissioners’ directive to avoid unnecessary changes to ad valorem taxes while continuing to sustain and improve county services.

“The Board remains dedicated to strengthening and sustaining existing services, ensuring a competitive compensation framework, exploring initiatives to enhance employee retention, refining principal financial policies, and advancing the development of a comprehensive capital improvement plan,” said Miller. “Duplin County department leaders have responded to these priorities with thoughtful consideration. They’ve done an excellent job.”

Despite initial projections showing a $16 million general fund deficit, the shortfall was resolved without resulting in a major tax increase. The property tax rate is set at 58 cents per $100 valuation, which is 15.5 cents lower than last year’s rate of 73.5 cents. Though higher than the revenue-neutral rate of 56.67 cents, it reflects the increased property values after revaluation and will according to Miller is expected to generate around $34 million in annual revenues, with each penny on the tax rate yielding $662,081.

The proposed budget prioritizes employee compensation and public services. It includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees that would become effective as of July 1 if approved. It also allocates funds for a 2.5% merit raise for eligible staff, and absorbs the increased costs in retirement contributions and health insurance premiums without passing these expenses onto employees. Duplin County currently trails similar counties by about 16% in compensation according to Miller.

The Duplin County Board of Education requested a 6.4% increase in operating funds, totalling $820,294 while James Sprunt Community College sought a 5.11% increase totalling $107,445. Both will maintain capital funding despite a $2.4 million cut in state low-wealth education support.

“We see the school capital [funds] coming at $1,485,068. The net service is $3,996,900. Revenues: we have an estimated sales tax of $3,974,500. School capital fund balance appropriated $1,227,512, and our interest on investments are $280,000,” Miller explained.

The County Manager added that 18 fire districts submitted tax rate requests, with some opting for reductions and others maintaining previous rates.

“Fire districts are made up of property tax revenue estimates, and they’ve increased due to the revaluation,” explained Miller.

The proposed budget also plans for capital investments. There are allocations for equipment across multiple departments including equipment for elections, parks and recreation, maintenance and emergency medical services. Key purchases include a transportation van for the water department, a roll-off truck, a wheel loader, and other solid waste equipment. Additionally, the budget accounts for the purchase of ambulances and a lease, which are significant capital items essential for maintaining services. These investments are expected to contribute to long-term operational efficiency and, in certain cases, create new revenue streams, like with crushed concrete sales.

Miller also addressed the budget’s debt service obligations, highlighting major payments such as the $578,270 payment to the USDA for the Commons and the $130,000 animal services loan payment. Funding is also administered across critical sectors such as public safety, human services, cultural programs, environmental protection, and general government functions. Notably, sales tax revenues for this year are expected to exceed the original budget by $586,151.

“We are projected to increase the general fund in the fiscal year 2025 fund balance by approximately $4 million. You can see the estimated revenues are $68,750,259. Recommended expenditures are $76,480,523. Fund balance appropriated $7,730,233,” Miller explained.

Looking ahead, Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining a four-year revaluation cycle for property assessments and flagged several long-term priorities.

“In future budgets, we are going to look for a matching contribution for full-time employees.

We want to have a continued focus on employee benefits and salaries, prioritize fleet and building maintenance, and focus on economic development opportunities and airport development,” said Miller.

Despite the challenges posed by the recent revaluation process, Miller expressed confidence in the proposed budget and anticipated minor refinements leading up to final adoption.

Miller also presented a brief overview of the FY 2025–26 Economic Development Budget. With salary and grants coming in at $205,868, operating at $180,450, incentives at $715,000, for a total of $1,136,018, explained Miller.

“Looking ahead, Duplin County is well equipped to navigate economic fluctuations and evolving community needs with this budget,” said Miller. “It reflects our shared commitment to responsible fiscal management while continuing to invest in the people and infrastructure that support our daily lives.”

After the presentation, Chairman Dexter Edwards called for a public meeting and invited the public to ask questions.

Residents voiced concerns about affordability, especially seniors. Miller addressed the questions and the measures taken to prioritize both growth and affordability.

Representative Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) spoke about a bill he is co-sponsoring that would freeze property taxes for seniors at a certain age.

“I believe that at some reasonable age, 65 or 70, people who have worked all of their life to carve out a really nice homestead shouldn’t be punished by the increased value of the property,” he explained.

Dixon also congratulated the board and everyone involved in crafting the budget.

“I think you folks have done a really great job on your budget this year. Thank you very much for your hard work,” said Dixon. Edwards echoed the sentiment.

In other business

• Public Health Training iswas scheduled for June 13.

• A new county website has recently been launched.

• State funding has been secured for the airport fuel farm.