By Miles Layton

COLUMBIA — Tyrrell County Manager David Clegg presented the proposed county budget for fiscal year 2026-27 to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, outlining a spending plan totaling more than $11.5 million across general and utility funds — all without raising taxes, solid waste fees, or water and sewer rates.

“Pursuant to General Statute, I hereby submit the proposed budget for Tyrrell County government for fiscal year 2026-27 to provide its services in a cost-effective, collaborative and innovative manner,” Clegg told commissioners as he opened his budget message.

The proposed general fund budget stands at $9,591,410, up from $9,463,361 last year. The utility fund is proposed at $1,927,444, compared to $1,798,279 in the prior fiscal year. The budget maintains the tax rate at 87 cents, the same as the current year.

“As presented today, the budget requires a tax rate of eighty-seven cents,” Clegg wrote in his budget message. “It complies with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act and the Machinery Act.”

The county’s total valuation has grown to $554,780,889, up from $520,457,666 last year — a gain of more than $34 million in assessed worth. One cent of the tax rate generates approximately $57,000 in revenue.

The budget proposal is included at the end of this story.

And yes, that’s an old photo from a previous county commission meeting — I used this picture because Clegg, dressed in a suit albeit without his trademark bow tie, is featured.

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Salaries, Services, and Solid Waste

County employees would see a modest pay raise under the proposal. “The budget allows for an employee salary increase of 2 percent,” Clegg said. “It adjusts the pay plan by 2 percent.”

On the solid waste side, costs are edging up due to a higher contract rate with the county’s waste hauler.

“Republic Services contract increased by 4.87 percent to $22.31 per unit per month, and tipping fees are steady,” Clegg said. “Current solid waste fees should remain the same.”

Despite the higher hauling contract, Clegg said residents won’t see a change in what they pay. The budget also includes $12,000 for a tire trailer and hauling costs. “Based on current state grant funding levels, that sum should be recouped,” he said.

MTW Health is funded at $60,831, reflecting a 2 percent increase over the previous year.

Public Safety

The county’s fire and law enforcement budgets both received attention in the proposed spending plan.

The Fire Department is budgeted at $143,000 for operations, with an additional $40,000 for equipment and a $25,000 reserve set aside for future needs.

The Sheriff’s Office budget addresses both vehicle and infrastructure needs.

“The Sheriff’s budget includes the cost of one Ford F-150 with prisoner partitions and emergency equipment at a cost of $65,283,” Clegg wrote. “There is a capital budget item of $19,088 to replace locks and key systems.” He noted that the Sheriff’s budget “particularly reflects significant fuel increases and detainee containment costs.”

Library, Records, and Other County Offices

The Tyrrell County Public Library would see a notable funding increase under the proposed budget. “The library request is funded at $177,845, an increase of $14,420,” Clegg wrote.

The Register of Deeds office will continue its records preservation effort (GOOD), with $8,000 budgeted for that purpose and an additional $3,000 designated for fraud detection services.

Health insurance costs, which the board had previously discussed, are finalized at $711,000 — a 1.43 percent increase. Vector control is budgeted at $10,768. The Veterans Office will be funded as grant funds become available, and the Chamber of Commerce dues of $100 are included along with a $2,000 allocation for the Rivertown Christmas event.

School Funding: Partial Approval, Several Requests Declined

The Board of Education’s budget drew careful scrutiny from the county manager, who recommended funding some requests while declining others.

“As to the Board of Education, current expense of $526,265 meets requirements,” Clegg said, noting that “if the entire request of the system was funded by ad valorem tax, it would amount to twenty-two cents of the tax rate.”

A $100,000 request for capital repairs was addressed through an alternative funding mechanism. “The hundred thousand dollar request for capital repairs can be funded from the Repair and Renovation Lottery Fund, as long as the system provides individual and detailed requests in accordance with statute,” he said.

Teacher supplements and locally funded teacher positions were not recommended in the proposed budget.

“Local teacher supplements are not recommended inasmuch as teachers will receive a pay increase from the state of between five to seventeen percent,” Clegg said.

The most complex item involved a $500,000 request to purchase land for a school. Clegg explained that the matter would require formal action beyond the budget process.

“Five hundred thousand dollars to purchase land for a school is a matter that will need to be approved by the Board of Commissioners under G.S. 115C-426,” Clegg wrote. “Lottery funds awarded under the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund cannot be used for land purchase.”

Should the board choose to approve such a purchase, Clegg outlined a potential funding structure.

“In the event the Board of Commissioners approved any land purchase, $141,000 could be lottery-based Public School Capital Fund sums, and $359,000 could be from restricted sales tax,” he said, adding that commissioners should “keep in mind that the Needs-Based grant was awarded with no local match and no administrative funds.”

Recreation Gets New Structure

Recreation services will be delivered through a newly formed organization going forward. “Recreation will be provided by a nonprofit corporation which has been formed and recognized by the IRS,” Clegg wrote. The county has allocated $40,000 for that purpose.

Utility Fund: Infrastructure Investments

On the enterprise fund side, Clegg confirmed that water and sewer rates are recommended to remain unchanged — good news for county utility customers.

The water system will see two significant capital investments: a heavy-duty truck at $67,000 and a new Snell Road membrane system at $125,000. A commissioner noted during the meeting that the Snell Road project would replace all membranes in the system, not just a single unit. The Sewer Fund includes $47,766 for Travis lift station wet well improvements.

Separately, commissioners earlier in the meeting voted unanimously to adopt a grant project ordinance for a water system asset inventory and assessment program valued at $255,000 — fully grant-funded. “We received grant funds to have a water system asset inventory and assessment, which has become a very important tool now in order to get grant funding,” Clegg said. “That’s the first question they ask — if you have that.”

Public Hearing Set for June 2

Following Clegg’s presentation, commissioners voted unanimously to set the required public hearing on the proposed budget for June 2 at 1 p.m., which coincides with the board’s regular monthly meeting. Commissioners also discussed scheduling a work session before that date to review the budget in more detail, with May 29 at 9:30 a.m. tentatively proposed for that gathering.

The board is expected to adopt the final budget before the June 30 deadline required by state law.