No tax increase for Pender County residents in new budget

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — There will be no property tax increase for Pender County residents this year according to the county manager.

Last year, there was controversy over a 17 cents tax increase in the budget that included a $2.6 million school bond referendum.

Finance Director Kathy Brafford said, while this year’s budget does not include a property tax, it does include nearly $1.3 million more for the schools.

The budget also includes a 1.5 percent cost of living salary increase for county employees.