Union County dedicates about 71% of its property tax rate to education, a funding source covered by a voter-approved constitutional amendment.
The county’s fiscal 2027 budget includes $176.1 million in its education budgetary fund, according to Union County’s June budget announcement. Another $53.3 million is allocated to education debt.
Those funds are part of a $664.3 million operating budget. The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
What voters approved
Unofficial North Carolina State Board of Elections results show 60.42% support for the property-tax amendment. The income-tax amendment received 61.92%.
The property-tax amendment’s enabling law requires the General Assembly to limit increases in property-tax levies and permits exceptions. The amendment does not set a numerical limit.
It takes effect upon certification of the referendum. The details will depend on implementing legislation, so the amendment alone does not establish a specific reduction in Union County school funding.
The separate income-tax amendment lowers the constitutional maximum rate to 3.5%. Upon certification, it applies to taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Advocates differ on the effects
Lauren Fox of the Public School Forum of North Carolina warned that combined limits could constrain school funding, WFAE reported.
Donald Bryson of the conservative John Locke Foundation told WFAE the amendments do not automatically cut school funding. His organization supports allowing property-tax revenue to grow with inflation and population.
The unresolved issue for local budgets is how lawmakers write the levy limit, including any exceptions. The current county budget provides a baseline for assessing those future rules.
