[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6634042,"mediaKeyId","3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a","parentId",3631959,"title","Elections director requests full-time coordinator; commissioners flag timing, budget options","audioSeconds",248,"startMs",2638000,"endMs",2886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a&start=2638&end=2886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a/thumbnail_2638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634042/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Elections-director-requests-full-time-coordinator-commissioners-flag-timing-budget-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634042-29c4e206ee9ca5ea63b742d6df77a1b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873432&Signature=bmO0d6UxYmtmSRAImw6WEQUjXv4xbKCt3mBKA4eyOHkKnWLEkpSAnH5X5lonmayuXF-elvXwQPo0V9iOWQss0y9mq6fp3h1CLuuJekSBLYutjRFkA0YWW6P809s0eULQeK1a~HRXwtKVRSfzQjAugway-Bc2HJTPvdVNjXgpNmyjb4aWiUr9WlvqA~4PnfNY~rU3kTthyCuACzBHgfKG3HumB~AIVGLGdGqv87nRZcxgr5jTat79cw06dcJyrf6aMTATLAhd7LF6bl95bOxsbLwd~rfJeB9eg54FDjzFwYQ-zWlWeRj2vj8lDWjK4WwBUjuZhc0sOJ444y95lp~JSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chatham County","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Chatham County's elections office requested funding for a full-time elections coordinator position as part of FY26 expansion requests, and board members discussed whether to include the position in the adopted budget.

Staff said the full annual cost of the coordinator position, including salary, benefits and equipment, was about $83,433. Because many expansion requests are budgeted for part-year hires, staff recommended funding a new hire at 92 percent of full-year cost (an August 1 effective date) if the board chose to approve it; staff estimated a 92 percent funded cost for the position at roughly $78,789.

Commissioners described several practical reasons to consider early funding: a volunteer who previously supplied a large amount of operational support is leaving and the elections office will face heightened workloads leading into the 2026 municipal and other elections; hiring earlier could give the coordinator time to train before peak activity. Staff cautioned that even with approval, recruitment and required posting timelines mean an October 1 start date is more realistic than an immediate hire in mid-June.

Why it matters: Elections staffing affects the county's ability to run and support elections, manage ballots, and handle post-election activities such as recounts. Commissioners emphasized continuity and said they wanted the elections office and budget staff to work through timing and to present options that balance the need with overall budget constraints.

Ending: No formal decision was recorded during the workshop; commissioners signaled interest in funding the coordinator but asked staff to show budget impacts and timing scenarios ahead of the June budget ordinance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chatham County - 5-22-2025 Video - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county elections office requested a full-time elections coordinator at an all-in FY26 cost of roughly $83,433; commissioners discussed timing and whether to fund the position in the FY26 ordinance and staff advised a likely August 1 or October 1 start if approved.","taxTitle","Chatham County, North Carolina","taxId",72775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634046,"Chatham County reallocates nonprofit funding pool after staff review; board agrees to small adjustments and to explore United Way partnership",10752,3372000,14124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a&start=3372&end=14124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a/thumbnail_3372000.jpg","/articles/6634046/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-reallocates-nonprofit-funding-pool-after-staff-review-board-agrees-to-small-adjustments-and-to-explore-United-Way-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634046-01fa8eeef25a8230cbb78eed7a34f013/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873432&Signature=H4nHXNvpWpc9sfCxsmDkUZfFl5i41Jeh8KHN2M2pLl9lctnDudl8qvlNqWh9O9vilK1DuATUm6GRoqA2-CSd6ocV~KkVRjYMswvcWwk3YVm4YtO7DXgR-jR~CLMI2WWSVyp0m-Y3ZcX9MTBjULgsARysMWTe9-VglN05TtltXoQS0n0ZP-jUULxO7PXGLqIwAN07~wCYplIb~dNgkAa2RAbrsLnEqYZcESi7v6zVQdp~Za3yFo7aB~QA2bpk9XsW0Z7KCCk-IQK-NHVdX4-HOYwLcszPQC-pjqtAGYx4qxTzqZ4Tly~5Ue-E2j2FoXnmq5r2EAp9s5czmPmU5LVfqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County staff presented recommended awards from the county's nonprofit competitive pool and then offered a second pass after commissioners raised concerns about how allocations were prioritized.

Staff said the FY26 competitive pool totals $528,000 (a quarter-percent allocation of the general fund as set by the board). This year 26 program requests were submitted from 21 agencies; the total FY26 ask was roughly $1.4 million, creating a substantial gap between requests and available funding. Staff described a review process that combined an initial audit of applicants and programmatic evaluations by approximately 17 county subject-matter experts.

Because several new programs applied this year, staff presented two versions of recommended awards. The first emphasized stronger programmatic alignment with the board's stated priorities (notably anti-poverty objectives). After discussion, staff created a second, more formulaic pass intended to be closer to prior-year funding patterns and to preserve some agencies' prior-year funding levels. Commissioners reached consensus on the second pass with a small amendment: restoring additional funding for a Latinx-youth/community program run by the county's Hispanic liaison office by moving a portion of United Way's competitive award (the board asked staff to rebalance the numbers on the spot; staff said the adjustment would be incorporated into the final recommendation).

Why it matters: The nonprofit pool is intended to support local human-services programs that the county does not directly provide. This year's larger-than-usual application total — and several new program requests — forced staff and commissioners to balance a desire to seed high-performing or high-alignment programs against preserving stable support for existing providers.

Commissioners also asked staff to continue exploring a possible administrative partnership with United Way's local 'Bold Goal' process to see whether United Way could administer the competitive process on the county's behalf in future cycles. Staff and commissioners said any such change would be developed in consultation with the board and would preserve county oversight and recognition of county funding where appropriate.

Ending: Staff will return the revised nonprofit award list in the budget ordinance materials and indicated they will prepare additional background if the board wishes to pursue a United Way administrative partnership for future cycles.","Staff presented a recommended nonprofit competitive-award list funded from a quarter-percent allocation of the general fund; commissioners asked for a rebalancing, staff produced a second, more formulaic pass and the board agreed to a modest amendment and to continue exploring a possible United Way administrative partnership for future cycles.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634050,"Wolfspeed valuation jump, incentive rebates and Tri River utility merger factor into FY2026 budget",154,1508000,1662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a&start=1508&end=1662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6634050/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Wolfspeed-valuation-jump-incentive-rebates-and-Tri-River-utility-merger-factor-into-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634050-fec8f91195c78d446344306ebccb170a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873432&Signature=kGxRLXHdPorTFrbouFyHOF9TO3CQFtjUkrybzOMpWvIACl30QR3FJ2q3idz8aYFYIRnQMfRC9FEkJn4jOdE8fTHr01eNq4u2o7u3iGUs9-hnjYKobvPhibBlpUqEmf6Kk76DzNvYqZETJKYOHiO6Ono-skOMX46jnAYTFyJ80fFIBtpjqjoC7GgzHkWoQGyUP2YGfqnYBBHgZzIPB8nPVEfJvyN1TOoG~6pADBORQ1FihthrPUTA4632RlISx--z0-UkH6OInY89hZ6FFqUve6K52d6AyNmXu0xhRFYm1kyl1LS8bA5QIUfxBJVJzsqM5hbfHMUpAXzU05iv10sZbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County budget staff told commissioners that recent increases in the taxable value of Wolfspeed's facilities will substantially raise property valuations in FY26 but that the company's economic-development agreement will rebate most of the related tax payment for the next several years.

Staff said Wolfspeed's total assessed value rose sharply between the current budget's tax year and the tax year reflected in the FY26 recommendation. Budget staff reported a rounded valuation increase from about $146.6 million in the prior budget to roughly $578.8 million in the FY26 base used for the recommended budget.

Staff said Wolfspeed's property-tax bill for the next year would be in the low millions before incentive rebates. In the presentation staff estimated Wolfspeed's total property-tax payment next year at roughly $3.46 million; staff said the county would retain only a fraction of that amount after rebates under the company's incentive agreement and related utility arrangements. Staff gave a retained-county estimate in the hundreds of thousands of dollars after rebates and adjustments tied to a Tri River utility revenue-sharing mechanism.

Separately, finance staff explained plans to close the standalone utilities enterprise fund after the county's utility operations transfer to Tri River. Because the utilities enterprise holds a non-callable debt issuance that must be paid over the next three years, staff said they will move restricted utility revenue into the general fund and increase a non-departmental debt account to pay the principal and interest in FY26 and the following two years; staff called the accounting change net-zero over the multi-year horizon but said it will show as increased general-fund activity in FY26.

Why it matters: Large new property valuations for major industrial taxpayers can increase government revenue, but economic-development agreements and utility mergers change how much of that revenue the county actually keeps and when. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the amounts and timing and to show scenarios when the board considers the final FY26 ordinance.

Ending: Staff committed to providing clearer breakout figures in follow-up materials and said those numbers will be reflected in the scenarios and budget ordinance the board will review before the June 16 adoption vote.","Budget staff described major valuation increases for Wolfspeed that raised property tax receipts but noted the company's economic-development agreement will rebate most of the early payments; staff also explained how the Tri River utility merger affects utility debt accounting in the general fund for FY26.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634055,"Chatham County proposes higher solid-waste, yard-waste and land-clearing disposal fees to cover permitting and operating costs",90,760000,850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a&start=760&end=850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a/thumbnail_760000.jpg","/articles/6634055/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-proposes-higher-solid-waste-yard-waste-and-land-clearing-disposal-fees-to-cover-permitting-and-operating-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634055-462e508ef95f8b99d93402868c2c45e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873432&Signature=RWcq2ZNU20yLSw6X~nCPmlQtxfhEymn71HHHZ4L4wk4FaUvvEgoNxTlHvHy8-6iI0agVylwLGxH7~wAa~0neCBWqdPJ34jbkrqkdC4A2Da9K6DtSG1JV17P4CW1Uz2DTFtr6p8YKBqXaH6Vbla9W0ANMNOfyhFDngGvyJIyWtC1XwhHGmMY94o~Qvla3Tpl45ga6eEFpYSvGYSm6i09xNMrmxvBvmrTDRqFcmNIKtknMW1isf96O1ebiLYWV~Twszp~a36HR4ffrkuAdSdIIlVASzPWF1sWuRCV1a-UQFM2QnUSb5VoZ773lgLeeuHtuEDUd~9lHJA7odW1i9JKgPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County budget staff recommended increases to several solid-waste and recycling fees in the FY2026 budget to cover rising operating and permitting costs.

The presentation proposed a 20-cent increase in the countywide solid-waste fee, raising it from $1.37 to $1.57, and a $5-per-ton increase for yard-waste disposal (from $20 to $25 per ton). Staff also proposed raising the land-clearing and inert debris (LCID) disposal fee from $20 per ton to $35 per ton, a $15 increase. Budget staff said the LCID increase is needed to cover permit costs and required maintenance associated with operating the LCID landfill; environmental staff warned that without permitting the LCID facility would have to close.

Why it matters: The recommended fee increases are aimed at ensuring the solid-waste enterprise fund can recover the full cost of the services it provides. Staff projected the proposed increases would delay the need for further fee increases by about four to five years under current expense projections. The solid-waste fund also plans one-time capital purchases in FY26 including a roll-off truck and paving work at a collection center.

Staff said those increases will be subject to board review and are part of the county's larger plan to close an old utility enterprise fund once the Tri River merger is complete and to maintain enterprise funds as self-supporting operations.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a final vote on fee changes during the workshop; staff said fee adjustments and supporting material appear in the budget appendix and will be available as the board continues deliberations.","County staff recommended fee increases for the solid waste and recycling enterprise fund, including a rise in the per-ton land-clearing and inert debris (LCID) disposal fee and higher yard-waste charges to cover permitting and maintenance required under state permits.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6634059,"Chatham County staff present FY2026 recommended budget, propose 60¢ property tax rate and larger debt reserve contribution",1637,95000,1732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a&start=95&end=1732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631959-e776529158b2032ea54421ba4852485a/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6634059/Chatham-County/North-Carolina/Chatham-County-staff-present-FY2026-recommended-budget-propose-60-property-tax-rate-and-larger-debt-reserve-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634059-87a4e4060a9ff14e3d3c2c850398f164/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873432&Signature=fSBwtcc1RUChZxf~wzCUhBLU3fjU4hV12jYpz9Nu0JEOMflhl~s9ku17rVmML0PTnXgQPwfSvM-fHlMvjKuR8S9nn4z4wjYqKysEKeF8z2TXL0K14V0b2fSBCSuw1vKogiQej21cA6ooL8B2jqYAZrNGXfjDlR7oRDBWPjbwfNgHAWJ9GEeZL99tsgYfGI4tVj~sMufLuLXNAho0uFWBf2X7yvZDNjK9YE5qosYyblAgCaBRrQ1SfsrBWB3ONXHb3ihqRa2~s2qfsfsC8eW-XWx5tzrDlPLOq3owqW8UgA220Pi4VFKF7SBHVUr8gYaeNNVvxOqYqI2~J4D9AzqTXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County staff presented a recommended fiscal 2026 general fund budget that would use a 60 cents per $100 valuation property tax rate, increase the county's contribution to its debt reserve and incorporate restricted utility fund balances linked to a utility merger.

The recommended general fund total shown in the presentation was $211,800,231. Budget staff described the recommended property tax rate as 60¢ per $100 of value, which the presentation said is lower than the current-year rate but above the county's calculated revenue-neutral rate. Staff said the budget includes a contribution to a debt reserve equal to about 8.5 cents per $100 of value to help fund planned debt-funded projects in the coming years.

Why it matters: County staff told commissioners the budget aims to balance revenue pressures from slower single-family residential construction and real estate transaction activity with long-term debt obligations for school and county capital projects. The plan preserves reserves for future debt while proposing a tax-rate level that staff said will be higher than the revenue-neutral rate but lower than the fiscal 2025 rate.

Staff framed the recommendations as precautionary: the presentation assumed minimal sales-tax growth for FY26 and included a correction to reflect the county's plan to move certain utility debt payments into the general fund while the utilities enterprise fund is closed out after the Tri River merger. The finance staff described that move as net-zero over the multi-year period but an operating impact in FY26 because restricted utility revenues will be used to meet a non-callable debt payment.

Budget staff outlined several revenue assumptions behind the recommendation: building permit and inspection revenues were forecast to increase modestly based on pending multifamily permits; registered-deeds excise tax revenue was budgeted more cautiously because of recent high-value, one-off transactions; occupancy tax was projected to rise after a hotel opened midyear; and Medicaid-related charges to users were expected to fall as more residents enrolled in Medicaid. Sales-tax projections were described as only slightly below estimated year-end collections and assumed minimal growth for FY26 to protect against downside risk.

Staff emphasized timing and next steps: commissioners were told the recommended budget will be brought back as a draft ordinance for the board's June 16 meeting and that staff will return with scenarios showing the effects of different tax-rate choices and continuation-only budgets that separate routine, inflation-driven costs from new expansions. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a continuation-only comparison that isolates the cost of doing business versus expansion requests.

Ending: Staff said the recommended budget is intended as the starting point for deliberation; the board can propose changes between the presention and the June 16 ordinance vote. The presentation also noted formal deadlines tied to adopting an FY26 budget by July 1.","County staff presented a recommended FY2026 general fund budget that relies on a 60¢ per $100 property tax rate, reflects the recent revaluation, increases a debt-reserve transfer and uses restricted utility fund balances tied to a pending merger with Tri River.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elections director requests full-time coordinator; commissioners flag timing, budget options

Chatham County reallocates nonprofit funding pool after staff review; board agrees to small adjustments and to explore United Way partnership

Wolfspeed valuation jump, incentive rebates and Tri River utility merger factor into FY2026 budget

Chatham County proposes higher solid-waste, yard-waste and land-clearing disposal fees to cover permitting and operating costs

Chatham County staff present FY2026 recommended budget, propose 60¢ property tax rate and larger debt reserve contribution