By John Sams
Since 2021, county spending (the budget) has nearly doubled, from $15.8 million to the proposed $30.6 million. Since the 2022 revaluation, the budget has shot up 48%. The 2020 census shows the county population has decreased, so the burden on each taxpayer has increased. Citizens are guaranteed to pay more if the tax rate is higher than the so-called “revenue neutral” rate, 55.25 cents—yet the proposed budget is 9 percent higher at 60.25 cents per hundred; i.e., an immediate tax increase for probably 60 percent of residents and likely a repeat of the 2022 revaluation/spending pattern. The county has a spending problem.
I swung a hammer with Chowan Perquimans Habitat for two decades. I am familiar with one Habitat for Humanity home—affordable housing—that has increased in value by 98% since 2022, so even if the tax rate were 55.25, this homeowner would face a major tax hike. I checked online for two other Habitat houses, and their valuations increased by 60%. When I was Treasurer of Habitat, I used to counsel the new homeowners that the mortgage amount they owed Habitat would never change, but their taxes and insurance would eventually exceed what they owed us. I didn’t realize it would happen so quickly.
The best solution for Chowan residents to this spending problem is for commissioners to set the tax rate so the revenue for the FY26-27 is exactly the same as for FY25-26(this year) —which is 44% higher than it was two years ago. Taxing folks on an asset that does not produce income is a “wealth tax” because, until a house is sold, it does not really create real value, regardless of what number the county assessor generates. This figure in stocks is called “unrealized gain”, and if taxes are assessed on it, in fact, it is really an “unfunded mandate”. ..by the county on you! Does the county expect people to take out a home equity loan or a reverse mortgage to pay their taxes?
WHAT TO DO: 1) Educate yourself; don’t blindly accept the official narrative—go online to: robinsams.com/tax.htm, govinsights.io, and the Facebook page for Kim Ringeisen — see our story here. Read about how the new high school figures into the new budget. 2) Talk with your neighbors about what is fair, 3) Email the county commissioners at board@chowan.nc.gov and tell them what course of action you want them to follow. Their allegiance should be to the people of Chowan County, not to Raleigh bureaucrats. Real leadership involves doing what is right to solve problems rather than blaming others.
And for those of you who live in Edenton, this same show will be coming to town soon because the Edenton tax base relies on the same valuations as the county, and politicians are always looking for an opportunity to “invest” in BSO’s (Big Shiney Objects—I’m thinking Swain)
More on that later…
John Sams is a resident of Chowan County.
2 responses to “Letter: Chowan County has a spending problem”
How would a reader find this on your site? It is not listed under Opinion…last item there was from 2025
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