Alamance County Seeks Resident Input on Budget Priorities Through March 31

The Alamance County Community Budget Input Survey closes March 31, giving residents just days to shape how county leaders navigate one of the most consequential spending cycles in recent memory.

In January, county leaders alerted commissioners about a projected $12.9 million deficit for the fiscal cycle starting July 1, 2026. That gap has put nearly every line item on the table. For residents, the shortfall could create a choice between a property tax hike or elimination of what some county leaders deem "non-essential services." In past budget cycles, commissioners have discussed potentially closing library branches in Graham, Mebane, and North Park, and cutting funding for non-profit rescue and family services.

The current property tax rate stands at 49.4 cents per $100 of a property's valuation, already a 2.5-cent increase from last year. If revenue from sales tax or other sources does not bridge the projected gap, commissioners may need to raise the property tax rate again to keep up with costs.

The stakes are familiar to anyone who showed up at the county courthouse last summer. There have been protests about proposed cuts in the past, with a lengthy public comment section at a commissioners meeting. The online survey offers a lower-barrier path to the same conversation, and it is anonymous.

Beyond the survey, residents can share their perspectives by contacting the Board or speaking during the public comment periods at regular meetings. The Alamance County Board of Commissioners meets on the first Monday at 9:30 a.m. and third Monday at 6:30 p.m. of each month at the County Office Building at 124 W. Elm St. in Graham. There is a 30-minute public comment section at these meetings.

Last year, the total budget was around $287 million, with the General Fund set at $242.1 million for day-to-day operations; the Sheriff's department and the school system were the two largest expenditures at $40.5 million and nearly $59 million, respectively.

Residents do not need to wait for the formal budget hearing; they can advocate for services now while the county manager is still writing the draft. The March 31 deadline is the clearest on-ramp.