Proposed Polk County Budget Includes $1 Million for Schools, No Property Tax Increase

POLK COUNTY — Polk County Commissioners received the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget during a special meeting held Monday morning.

County Manager Marche Pittman presented a proposed budget totaling $53.9 million across all county funds, with nearly $45 million allocated to the General Fund.

According to county officials, the budget is balanced and complies with North Carolina budget laws while continuing county services without increasing property taxes.

“There is no tax rate increase for the operations of General County Government in this budget,” Pittman said. “This is a year of continuity and careful fiscal responsibility.”

The proposed property tax rate would remain at 42.77 cents per $100 of assessed value, keeping Polk County among the counties with the lowest tax rates in North Carolina.

One major highlight in the proposal is a one-time appropriation of $1 million to support the Polk County Schools fund balance.

Pittman also noted the county’s financial position remains strong, citing healthy reserves and a low debt-to-income ratio.

Several capital improvement projects are included in the proposal, including:

• Nearly $578,000 for new vehicles and replacement computers for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

• More than $210,000 for Emergency Medical Services equipment

• More than $210,000 for transportation vans

  
  

County commissioners will continue budget discussions during a work session on May 18 at the Womack Building beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the regular commissioners meeting at 5 p.m.

Another budget work session and public hearing are scheduled for June 1, with final budget adoption expected on June 15.

The full proposed budget is available on the Polk County website.