Wayne County, NC – Wayne County Manager Chip Crumpler presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners on May 19, 2026. The proposed budget totals approximately $291.2 million across all funds, including a General Fund budget of $254.5 million. The recommendation does not include a property tax increase, keeping the county tax rate at $0.6259 per $100 valuation. The recommended budget allocates approximately $5.5 million from fund balance, while recognizing actual usage may be lower depending on year-end savings and operational performance.
“This budget reflects a balance between maintaining core county services, supporting our employees, and continuing strategic investments without increasing the tax burden on our citizens,” said County Manager Chip Crumpler. “There were difficult decisions and reductions made throughout this process, and I appreciate our departments working together to help us present a responsible budget recommendation.”
The proposed budget continues to prioritize public education with increases in local school operating funding by $520,141 and maintains $2.5 million in school capital support. The County also continues to fund 22 School Resource Officers serving Wayne County Public Schools full-time. Wayne Community College will continue to receive $5,930,474 in County appropriations, plus $769,000 for capital outlay.
County departments submitted requests for 41 new full-time positions. The Manager’s recommended budget funds 11 of those positions, deferring 30 position requests. Nine positions are for Emergency Medical Services for the new EMS Station 12, along with one staff attorney position for the County Attorney’s Office, and the conversion of one Animal Control position from part-time to full-time.
The budget proposal also supports employee recruitment and retention through targeted salary study adjustments in multiple departments, a 1.5% annual pay adjustment, and continued county payment of employee health insurance premiums despite rising insurance costs. The County continues its practice of conducting salary studies on a rotating three-year schedule to keep compensation competitive with surrounding communities.
To balance the budget without a tax increase, departments collectively reduced operational expenses by approximately $730,000. The recommended budget also delays approximately $4.01 million in capital improvement requests, including vehicle replacements, facility upgrades, fleet projects, and equipment purchases.
The recommended budget was built with an understanding of the funding uncertainty that counties continue to face at the state and federal levels. Staff will continue to monitor legislative changes that affect our budget and make adjustments to ensure we remain fiscally responsible while providing critical services.
Residents can view the proposed budget at the county website, www.waynegov.com. A public hearing and budget work session on the proposed budget is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with final adoption required before July 1, 2026.
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