Annual Operating Budget
The county operates under an balanced budget each fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30, per North Carolina law. The operating budget estimates the total value of resources required to perform all county operations. The budget also sets various tax and fee rates for the upcoming year.
During the winter and spring, staff prepare budget requests and negotiate changes with Financial Services and the County Manager's Office. In May, the County Manager presents a balanced, recommended budget to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The BOCC conducts multiple work session and public hearings before it approves the final budget in June.
Download 2011-12 Approved Budget
Download 2011-12 Budget Ordinance
Download 2011-12 Recommended Budget & Presentation
Approved Budget Highlights
1. Tax Rates
Ad Valorem: 85.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation
Fire District: Varies by district. View County link below.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District: 18.84 cents per $100 of assessed valuation
Occupancy Tax: 2%
Note: Your city/town may levy additional taxes. You can locate this information on the County and State Revenue Department websites.
2. Changes to Manager's Recommended Budget (Net Change: $897,552)
Appropriated Fund Balance for Schools' Debt Service Reserve (+$663,196)
Increased appropriations for Human Services (+$239,870)
Increased appropriations for Public Safety (+$83,000)
Funded Economic Development Small Loan Program (+$75,000)
Additional funding provided for Non-Departmental Culture and Recreation (+$62,986)
Appropriated a reserve for a new PIO position (+30,000)
Funded reserve for increased internet access to rural Orange County (+$10,000)
Reduced costs associated with the proposed mobile library (-$266,500)
3. Fee Schedule Changes
Changes to: Animal Services, Efland Sewer, Elections, Health (Dental, Personal), Library Services, Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste (Landfill/Recycling, School Collection)
Note: The current Fee Schedule includes fee changes made since July 1, 2011.