Wayne County —The Wayne County Board of Commissioners has officially adopted a $279.87 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, signaling a strong commitment to public education, safety, workforce support, and infrastructure improvements
Approved during the Board’s regular meeting on June 3, the new budget sets the property tax rate at $0.6259 per $100 of assessed property value, with all revenues allocated to the General Fund. This adjustment aims to maintain critical services while addressing growing demands across the county.
Support for Education Prioritized
One of the most significant changes in the FY25–26 budget is a notable increase in funding for Wayne County Public Schools. The adopted plan includes:
- $1.318 million to boost local teacher supplements, enhancing teacher recruitment and retention.
- An additional $500,000 toward capital improvements, addressing aging school facilities.
- $500,000 in new funding for more School Resource Officers (SROs) in local schools, bolstering student safety.
“Budget season is always a challenge as an elected official,” said Chairwoman Barbara Aycock. “This year, we made a very intentional decision to increase support for education. We heard from our school leaders and community members about the needs in our schools—especially around aging buildings and retaining quality teachers.”
Aycock credited the entire Board and county staff for their hard work in crafting the budget, calling it a balanced response to the county’s pressing needs.
Investments in Public Safety and Infrastructure
Public safety is another major focus of the budget, which includes funding for:
- Nine new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office.
- Pay increases for both Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center staff.
- A new public safety communications tower in Dudley, expected to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Infrastructure enhancements include construction of a fleet maintenance facility for county vehicles and service equipment, alongside major ongoing projects such as:
- The Carey Winders Detention Center expansion.
- Final stages of the Health and Human Services building.
- Continued development at the Wayne County Industrial Campus.
Additionally, a $2 million EMS Station 12 project, serving the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base area, is progressing thanks to grant funding facilitated through a new county grant management partner.
The budget also funds the first phase of the Genoa Sewer Rehabilitation Project, supported by a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan.
Workforce and Higher Education Support
County employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), with targeted salary adjustments applied to departments identified through a scheduled market-rate study. The budget also funds seven new full-time positions and two part-time roles across EMS, 911, Emergency Services, Social Services, and Services on Aging.
In a continued effort to promote workforce development and economic resilience, the County has increased funding for Wayne Community College by $887,857, reinforcing its commitment to higher education and long-term job growth.
Looking Ahead
The FY25–26 budget positions Wayne County to meet both immediate and future challenges, with strategic investments aimed at improving quality of life, supporting public employees, and enhancing essential services countywide.
For more information or to view the adopted budget in full, visit www.waynegov.com.
