CONCORD — Cabarrus County commissioners voted on Monday to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) budget, which takes effect July 1.
The budget maintains the current tax rate of 57.6 cents per $100 of assessed value. With that, owners of a $361,120 home (the median single-family assessed home value in Cabarrus) would pay $2,080.05 a year in county property tax.
The approved budget ordinance consists of the:
- General Fund ($413.6 million)
- Community Investment Fund ($89.8 million)
- Landfill Fund ($3.2 million)
- 911 Emergency Telephone System Fund ($475,793)
- Arena & Events Center Fund ($2.8 million)
- Fire District Fund ($10.6 million)
- Social Services Fund ($500,000)
- Intergovernmental Fund ($1.8 million)
- Workers Compensation and Liability Fund ($7.4 million)
- Self-Insured Health & Dental Fund ($27.1 million)
- Opioid Settlement Fund ($3.7 million)
Across all funds, including those supported by user fees, the FY27 budget totals $560.9 million.
Residents can visit the county’s website, www.cabarruscounty.us, and click the “Explore the FY27 Adopted Budget” tile under “Featured” to learn more about the county’s budget process, read frequently asked questions and stay updated on future budget communications.
How the adopted budget took shape
Initial FY27 forecasts showed a deficit of $13.7 million. However, throughout the planning process, county staff continually re-evaluated current budget projections and the five-year financial plan.
A release from the county noted that revenue projections were refined to reflect historical collection rates, and FY27 expenditure budgets were adjusted to more closely match actual past spending patterns.
With those factors in mind, the county reportedly closed the projected deficit through strategic reallocations, refined revenue projections, operational efficiencies and careful review of vacant positions and expenditures.
To further maintain balance, partner funding growth was limited to the amounts projected in the county’s FY27 outlook.
Contributions were reduced in other funds, such as the Landfill Fund and the Arena & Events Center Fund. Those operations will rely on existing fund balances in their enterprise and special revenue accounts to achieve a balanced budget.
Sustaining county operations amid rapid growth
Cabarrus County continues to experience significant population growth and demographic change. Between 2020 and 2024, the county’s population increased by 9.2 percent, nearly 21,000 residents. That figure is projected to grow an additional 10.2 percent by 2030. The population is also getting older. Both factors contribute to increased demand for mandated and non-mandated county services.
The budget supports essential operations and services while addressing this increased demand. The budget includes:
- Elimination of six vacant positions to help reduce long-term personnel costs
- Continued funding for employee benefits, merit increases, cost-of-living adjustments and longevity pay
- A targeted compensation review focused on high-turnover positions where vacancies remain a persistent challenge
These measures are aimed at reducing turnover and mitigating ongoing costs associated with recruitment, onboarding and training.
Prioritizing public safety; continuing support for education and Cabarrus Health Alliance
The FY27 budget places significant emphasis on public safety, including the addition of 21 new positions within the Sheriff’s Office.
Of those positions, 16 detention officers are needed to support the opening of a new housing pod due to rising jail populations. Additional deputy positions are also included to support security needs at the Progress Place behavioral health campus.
The budget also funds the replacement of four ambulances and one EMS administrative vehicle that have reached the end of their service lives.
Updated EMS cost recovery measures, following a comprehensive review of service fees to better align with actual operational costs, are included as well.
The budget also continues substantial operational and capital support for the Cabarrus Health Alliance and the county’s three education partners: Cabarrus County Schools (CCS), Kannapolis City Schools (KCS) and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC).
County staff are working alongside local school leaders to advance a potential General Obligation bond referendum. The bond, which would be included on the November 2026 General Election ballot, would fund large-scale capital projects for CCS, KCS and RCCC.
Learn more about the GO Bond by visiting http://www.cabarruscounty.us/GOBondFAQ.
Managing long-term financial challenges
Despite rapid growth, increased demand for services and the county’s ability to maintain the current tax rate, FY27 may be the final year existing service levels can be sustained across all areas without additional revenue, the release noted.
Current five-year projections estimate potential shortfalls of:
- $10.8 million in FY28
- $20.8 million in FY29
- $31.6 million in FY30
- $43.1 million in FY31
Those projections are driven by anticipated growth in education spending, personnel costs, operating expenses and service demands. Potential state-level legislation may also impact local tax levy options, adding further uncertainty to long-term revenue planning.
Long-term planning will depend on several developing factors, including clarification of future revenue options and emerging service demands.
