Commissioners aim to fully fund school request

To finalize details on the 2026-2027 budget, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a final budget work session on Monday, June 8, 2026. The major topics of discussion were the 5-cent property tax rate decrease, the request from Alexander County Schools, and the county fee schedule.

County Manager Justin Mundy said the recommended budget totals $62,798,329. With the 60-cent property tax rate, appropriated fund balance now totals $7,381,129. Mundy said the county allocates fund balance to balance the budget nearly every year, but has only spent a portion of that amount once in the past decade.

Alexander County Schools requested a $348,321 increase, bringing its total county appropriation to $8,426,361 in the 2026-2027 county budget. The requested increase includes $91,503 for the School Nurse Fund Initiative funding shortfall, $73,094 for the NC Pre-Kindergarten funding shortfall, $41,575 to increase the current Media/Innovation Coordinator position at Ellendale Elementary School from a half-time position to full-time, and $142,149 for salary increases for employees paid with local funds.

Each commissioner expressed support for public education. They also addressed rumors circulating in the community regarding possible staff cuts and reduced class sizes within the school system.

After some discussion, commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner Kent Herman opposed, to include the full request from the school system in the new budget.

Commissioner Herman said he had received calls from community members before Monday’s meeting accusing him of opposing the school system’s funding request, even though the board had not yet reached a decision.

Chairman Larry Yoder said he has also heard those comments.

“Commissioners are fully funding the request from the school board,” said Chairman Yoder. “When you hear that County Commissioners didn’t do that, I just want to make it clear that money is in there and we did what was asked. Over the years, the county has done a lot for the school system.”

Commissioner Marty Pennell said he believes Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin is doing a good job, but the school system has some difficult decisions to make moving forward.

“The school system determines which positions to cut,” said Pennell. “I have served on this board for 7 ½ years, and Alexander County Schools’ funding has increased every year. They have some hard choices to make as enrollment continues to decline.”

Over the past eight years, the county’s allocation to Alexander County Schools has increased from approximately $6 million to more than $8.4 million, which is almost a 40 percent increase.

Commissioners also reviewed the proposed 2026-2027 county fee schedule. Numerous fees have been adjusted for the new fiscal year to better reflect current costs and service expenses. Fee adjustments were discussed in building inspections, emergency management, fire marshal’s office, health department, library, parks, planning & development, and solid waste.

Chief Building Inspector Bill Rogers was in attendance to discuss proposed fee changes in his department.

“We are not out to make a profit, just to recoup expenses,” said Rogers.

He presented a summary of fees collected during fiscal year 2024-2025 ($409,634.44) and 2025-2026 ($325,982.90).

When asked about the $83,651.54 difference, Rogers said, “The bottom dropped out of construction. We’re just not seeing builders pull permits. It’s more manufactured homes with a lower price point. Despite what the news is saying, construction is hurting.”

The fee schedule will be posted on the county’s website upon final approval.

The budget is scheduled to be adopted at the board’s June 15 meeting.