The Iredell County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget during its regular meeting on June 17. The approved budget of $343.8 million will take effect July 1, 2025.
The adopted budget represents a balanced financial plan that supports the County’s continued growth while maintaining the current property tax rate of 50 cents per $100 of assessed value. The budget prioritizes funding for education, public safety, infrastructure improvements, and quality-of-life services, while ensuring the county remains fiscally responsible.
“This budget reflects our continued commitment to responsible spending, strategic investments, and supporting the services that matter most to our residents,” said Iredell County Manager Beth Milton. “We’ve worked diligently to address community needs while preserving the County’s strong financial position.”
Key highlights of the FY2025–26 adopted budget include:
- Maintains tax rate at $0.50 per $100 valuation, one of the lowest in North Carolina — well below the statewide average of ~62¢.
- Projected General Fund budget of $343.8 million, supported by a fund balance equal to ~32.6% of that total.
- Education funding increases ~5.4%, raising per-pupil operational support (from $2,287 to $2,354, a 2.9% CPI-based increase) and boosting capital outlay and debt service for Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded School District, and Mitchell Community College (MCC).
- Major school capital investments: Weathers Creek High School budget grew from $80 million to $130 million (adding $40 million in bonds and $10M reallocated cash), Parkertown Elementary funded at $52 million (depleting the capital reserve account), and MCC Public Safety Training Center rising to $23 million (adding $8.5 million taken from other County projects and additional funds from MCC). Total cash investment in school facilities totaling $70.5 million.
- Continues 8 year Capital Improvement Plan, including finishing Government Center renovations, debuting a new warehouse facility, ADA & LED upgrades, and technology investments for IT and emergency communications.
- Staff retention prioritized, no new positions added, with a 3% across-the-board pay-scale adjustment.
- Preparations for continued growth, backed by a space needs study for courts and a fire services evaluation, addressing a population increase of 11.5% (to ~207,382) and building permit growth of around18% year-over-year.
