Alamance County Manager York Presents FY26-27 Recommended Budget
Alamance County Manager Heidi York presented the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Recommended Budget to the Board of Commissioners at the May 18 business meeting. The $239,115,000 General Fund budget proposal represents a $3.0 million (1.2%) decrease from the current year and includes the elimination of 50.2 vacant positions across multiple departments. The budget focuses on reducing financial risk, restoring stability, and strengthening long‑term fiscal health.
Key Highlights
- Total Recommended General Fund Budget: $239.1 million, a $3.0 million decrease
- No use of Unassigned Fund Balance
- Property tax rate recommended at 51.65 cents, an increase of 2.25 cents
- 50.2 vacant positions eliminated
- Education remains at 40% of total County spending
- 889 responses received in first Community Budget Input Survey
Entering the budget process, the County faced a $13 million deficit required to maintain current service levels. This challenge is compounded by projected federal and state revenue reductions totaling $4.9 million, including new Medicaid requirements, a SNAP administration reimbursement cut from 50% to 25% that adds $764,488 in County costs, and an affordable housing exemption that reduces property tax revenue by an estimated $650,000.
To protect financial stability, the Recommended Budget does not appropriate any Unassigned Fund Balance. Last Fiscal Year, $11 million of Unassigned Fund Balance was used for recurring operating costs, the largest amount used to date. This appropriation depleted the County’s Fund Balance to a projected 15.1% of total expenditures, well below the Board’s required 20% minimum balance. Rebuilding the Fund Balance is necessary to preserve the County’s strong bond ratings and maintain emergency response capacity.
This year, the County launched its first Community Budget Input Survey, receiving 889 responses that provided insight for the Recommended Budget. Respondents identified Education, Public Safety, and Quality of Life as their top priorities.
Education remains 40% of the total County budget, and despite fiscal pressures, no reductions are proposed. Alamance Burlington School System is recommended to receive $85.2 million, including a $1.45 million increase in Current Expense funding and continued support for capital needs. Per‑pupil funding increases by $77 to $2,328. Alamance Community College is recommended to receive $10.1 million, including additional repair and maintenance funding.
The Recommended Budget also incorporates departmental reductions, shifts select capital needs to reserves, and prioritizes sustaining essential services while avoiding county expansions. York noted that these steps reflect a disciplined approach to stabilize finances and prepare for long‑term needs.
York emphasized that the spending plan includes difficult but necessary choices to ensure Alamance County remains financially strong. The Board of Commissioners will review and deliberate on the Recommended Budget in the upcoming weeks with a public hearing scheduled for 6:30PM on June 1, 2026.