Property tax rate and budget sustainability
New Hanover County's Board of Commissioners adopted a FY 2026-27 budget holding the property tax rate steady at 30.6 cents per $100 after a prior cut following revaluation, closing gaps with one-time fund balance draws, capital savings, and borrowing rather than tax hikes or heavy use of the Revenue Stabilization Fund. Recurring costs especially for education and public safety outpace revenues, creating partisan debate over long-term fiscal balance amid growth and cost-of-living pressures.
Should New Hanover County raise the property tax rate to cover recurring expenses instead of relying on one-time funds?
Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners — https://www.wect.com/2026/05/18/commissioners-approve-new-hanover-co-budget-without-raising-property-taxes/
commissioners-approve-new-hanover-co-budget-without-raising-property-taxes
WHQR — https://www.whqr.org/local/2026-05-11/here-are-the-one-time-tools-new-hanover-county-used-to-make-this-years-recommended-budget-work
one-time tools new hanover county used to make this years recommended budget work
WECT — https://www.wect.com/2026/03/26/new-hanover-county-faces-4-million-deficit-budget-talks-begin/
new-hanover-county-faces-4-million-deficit-budget-talks-begin
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Raise taxes substantially to fully fund and expand education, safety, and services without one-time fixes
- Modestly raise the rate to sustain current services and reduce reliance on reserves or debt
- Hold the rate steady while seeking efficiencies and state aid before any increase
- Keep taxes flat or lower by cutting non-essential spending and using more reserves carefully
- Cut the tax rate further and shrink government programs to ease resident cost-of-living burdens