Hyde County manager Kris Cahoon Noble has recommended a 2026-2027 county budget with no tax increases.
In her Budget Message she said the recommended amount is $24,578,535 with a general fund budget of $20,288,078.
General Fund dollars fund essential programs and services for daily life in Hyde County: human services, public safety, education and various general government operations.
The largest share of General Fund revenue comes from property taxes, which are assessed on the value of real estate, personal property and motor vehicles.
“This budget does not increase the property tax rate and allocates resources to maintain current levels of service,” Noble said.
The property tax rate will remain 92 cents per $100 valuation with no increase.
No appropriations from the general fund balance will be required to balance the budget, she said.
The budget process begins with department managers proposing their requests. Following workshops with the department heads and revisions, the budget is then adopted.
A public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 1, during the regular monthly meeting of the Hyde County Board of Commissioners.
The adoption of this budget and setting of the tax rate for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is slated for 10 a.m. Thursday, June 11.
A primary decrease in the budget includes the payoff of the 2010 Qualified School Construction Bond for school improvement projects.
Total property taxes to be collected are estimated to be $14.33 million, up from $13.77 million last year.
Estimated sales tax to be collected is $2.3 million, up from $2.07 million last year.
The primary increases within the budget consist of continued employee and benefit costs, insurance, utilities, and cost of goods increases.
Other increases include partnering with Hyde County Schools in athletics and mental health. There are recommended increases for all county volunteer fire departments.
Typically, in North Carolina, counties and municipalities work together to provide services. Counties are responsible for providing services heavily guided by state law: public health, social services, public education, emergency services, tax assessment and collection, Register of Deed services, court facilities, public safety and elections.
Municipalities typically provide services such as police, fire protection, water and sewer, sanitation, planning, zoning and streets.
Hyde County is in a unique position, having no incorporated townships. Because of this structure, the Hyde County government provides services of a broader nature than most counties.
For budget data and the budget message, visit www.hydecountync.gov. Click on Departments and then on Finance.
