Clay County Adopts Balanced FY 2026–2027 Budget with Lower Property Tax Rate

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Board of Commissioners has approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026–2027 that maintains current service levels while reducing the county’s property tax rate.

In accordance with the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, the budget totals $29,415,358.13, with estimated revenues and other financing sources fully matching proposed appropriations.

Following the countywide reevaluation of real property, the new property tax rate drops to $0.27 per $100 of assessed valuation — down from the previous rate of $0.43 per $100. The new millage rate ranks as the third lowest among North Carolina’s 100 counties.

The Fire Tax for the Brasstown, Warne, Hayesville, and Shooting Creek Fire Districts remains at $0.04 per $100 of assessed valuation.

County officials describe the adjusted rate as operationally revenue neutral. It is designed to sustain existing services while accounting for typical adjustments such as appeals, exclusions, deferrals, collection variances, and inflationary pressures.

In a statement, Board of Commissioners Chairman Rob Peck highlighted the county’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility:

“The Clay County Board of Commissioners and County Leadership have worked tirelessly for fiscal responsibility and smaller more efficient government. We have done this by implementing tight spending controls, developing strong budgetary policies, instituting best practice guidelines, consolidation of departments/facilities, eliminating duplication of services and addressing fee structures where appropriate, while aggressively pursuing grants and legislative dollars to minimize the local tax burden.”

Chairman Peck noted that while millage rates have fluctuated with state-mandated revaluations, there has been only one two-penny operational increase in the tax rate over the past 15 years — even as cumulative inflation has reached approximately 47%.

“We are and will continue to be fiscally conservative in service to Clay County!” Peck added.

The budget reflects efforts to deliver efficient government services while keeping the local tax burden as low as possible for Clay County residents. The new rates take effect with the upcoming fiscal year.