County council debates increasing tax collection rate to 98.5 percent for budget boost

June 07, 2025 | Person County, North Carolina


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County council debates increasing tax collection rate to 98.5 percent for budget boost
The Person County Commissioners held a budget work session on June 6, 2025, where they discussed several key financial strategies for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant focus was placed on adjusting the tax collection percentage and its implications for the county's revenue.

Commissioners expressed support for raising the tax collection percentage to 98.5%, which is expected to generate an additional $464,170 in revenue. This adjustment was deemed fair, especially since the tax assessor reported that the current collection rate is already over 99%. The discussion included whether to use this newfound revenue to lower the tax rate or to allocate it elsewhere in the budget.

The commissioners also reviewed the overall budget, noting a projected 23% increase in revenues. They confirmed that the revenue estimates were conservative, primarily based on collections from transport services and increased insurance coverage among residents. An additional $25,000 in revenue from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was also approved.

While some counties are raising taxes and fees, Person County plans to keep many fees unchanged. However, adjustments to recreation and parks fees were discussed due to rising costs associated with athletic programs, including officials' fees and uniforms. These changes will be made on a case-by-case basis for each program.

As the meeting concluded, the commissioners aimed to finalize the budget details, including increasing interest earnings from 1.1% to 1.2%. The discussions highlighted a commitment to fiscal responsibility while addressing the needs of the community.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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