{"id":3677,"date":"2026-06-21T11:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T11:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=3677"},"modified":"2026-06-21T11:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T11:06:10","slug":"wake-county-adopts-2-28-billion-budget-approving-property-tax-hike-to-help-fill-gaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=3677","title":{"rendered":"Wake County adopts $2.28 billion budget, approving property tax hike to help \u2018fill gaps\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) \u2014 A two-cent property tax increase was approved for Wake County residents Monday night with a unanimous vote from the Wake County Commissioners.<\/p>

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The increase is part of the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, which totals $2.28 billion, and moves the tax rate to 53.71 cents for every $100 of assessed value for property owners in Wake County. The increase, for the owner of a median-priced home in Raleigh assessed at $450,000, would amount to $90.<\/p>\n

This hike is something that drew concerns from many public speakers in mid-May when it was officially proposed at a commissioners meeting during which the budget was presented, and possible cuts were also discussed.<\/p>\n

As the board chairman, Don Mial, explained, \u201cThis has been a challenging budget for our board because of the roughly $35 million revenue shortfall created by a growing number of property tax appeals and the Blue Ridge property tax loophole.\u201d<\/p>\n

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2026 Board of Wake County Commissioners. (Courtesy Wake County)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The passed budget reflects a commitment of $8 million in new revenue available to \u201cimportant public safety needs such as reopening the jail annex and adding new EMTs to meet the demands of growth,\u201d Mial added.<\/p>\n

In a release from the county, it also said the budget is a reflection of rising costs that stem from federal decisions, including the conflict in Iran and tariffs on foreign goods. In May, leaders said the county must find a way to fill the gaps created by the state not meeting budget demands throughout FY 2025-2026, as North Carolina became the only state in the U.S. to not pass a comprehensive budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also subsidizes areas where state funding continues to fall short,\u201d officials said. \u201cIf the county didn\u2019t have to step up and support education, social services and public safety, our property tax rate would be far lower \u2013 about 30 cents.\u201d<\/p>

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Food security program funding added<\/h2>\n

In its discussions of the proposed budget from County Manager David Ellis, the commissioners made one addition: to add $110,000 to fund two food security programs.<\/p>\n

The two programs being funded are called \u201cFarm to Early Childhood Education\u201d and \u201cDouble Bucks at Farmers Markets.\u201d The former delivers customized boxes of locally sourced produce, eggs and more to 15 family childcare homes and four childcare centers in Wake County. The latter allows SNAP\/EBT beneficiaries to receive additional tokens when they swipe their EBT cards at nine different farmers markets across the county.<\/p>

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MORE FROM CBS 17<\/h2>\n
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(AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh, file)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The need to fund these programs, the county said, stemmed from the federal end to the American Recovery Plan Act funds. Both programs were previously funded using those federal dollars, and without a change at the county level, they would have stopped receiving support in December 2026.<\/p>\n

Education a top investment priority<\/h2>\n

The following investments contribute to the overall $823 million allocated in the budget for operating expenses in education across Wake County.<\/p>\n