New Hanover Co. budget plan include 5.5-cent tax increase

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County residents may see a tax increase next year.

County Manager Chris Coudriet presented the county’s proposed budget to commissioners today. It includes a 5.5-cent property tax increase. Coudriet says that money would only pay for voter-approved debt commitments.

Coudriet says overall the general fund would increase three percent over this year, but the total budget is flat. He says key drivers of budget growth include debt service increases, operating and capital expenses for public education and operating growth in public safety. Twenty-one of 39 new positions the budget asks commissioners to fund to “right-size operations” are in the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Coudriet’s presentation, the county’s tax base is projected to grow 1.7 percent over this year.

Click here to learn more about the proposed budget, including a schedule of hearings