Catawba County has adopted its FY 2026-27 budget ordinance totaling $353,319,157, with a General Fund of $264,135,191, while keeping the property tax rate at $0.3985 per $100 of assessed value after the Board directed staff to drop a proposed 2.5 cent increase. To still fund priority school construction, the adopted budget supports approximately $120 million in middle school expansion projects within the existing tax rate, with capital funds showing $11,058,456 for Schools’ Capital and $7,907,566 for Schools’ Construction, supplemented by transfers and fund balance. The budget also outlines major appropriations for water and sewer, solid waste capital, road and general capital, and sets micro-purchase thresholds and procurement authorities, influencing how the County will contract for consulting, engineering, construction, and IT services. For vendors, this budget is a roadmap of funded capital and operational priorities—including the middle school expansion, SECC water and sewer capital, solid waste management projects, and potential 911 and public safety investments—signaling areas where RFPs and RFQs are likely to follow in the coming fiscal year.

Budget retains existing tax rate, reduces some line items (e.g., Arts Culture Catawba, DSS contingen...