The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is urging state lawmakers to rethink a series of proposed property tax exemption bills that could significantly reduce county revenues if passed.
Many county commissioners and administrators fear that the state bills offering taxpayer relief could end up putting a real financial strain on counties – which rely heavily on property taxes to fund their budgets.
In a letter addressed to all members of the North Carolina General Assembly, the association outlined the potential financial repercussions of the measures, calling them “unfunded mandates” that could force counties either to raise property tax rates on non-exempted property owners or cut out essential public services.
“Like you, county commissioners are committed to helping their constituents,” the letter signed by NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard states. “They share your deep concerns about the financial pressures facing North Carolinians.”
However, the letter warns that, while relief for veterans, seniors and other vulnerable groups is necessary, imposing tax exemptions at the state level without providing alternative revenue sources for counties could have dire consequences for local governments.
The NCACC is a collective organization that represents and petitions for the interests of all county governments in North Carolina.
Some county commissioners in Guilford County and across the state would like to see some property tax relief for the most vulnerable but are opposed to the tax relief at a statewide level. Some Guilford County commissioners, for instance, in budget talks this year have expressed interest in knowing more about potential programs that would offer some relief for property owners who face extra challenges.
Several bills that would apply statewide are currently under consideration in the NC General Assembly and would expand property tax exemptions for various groups and purposes.
Among them are the following:
- H59: Elderly/Disabled Homestead Exclusion – This bill would expand tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents. According to the NCACC, smaller counties would be disproportionately affected, while larger ones could see tax base reductions of between $7 billion and $8 billion.
S159: Elderly Property Tax Appreciation Exclusion – This bill would limit how much property values can increase for tax purposes. The NCACC opposes measures that cap property value appreciation – arguing that that would disrupt fair tax assessment processes.
H100: Expand Religious Property Tax Exemption – This proposal aims to expand tax exemptions for religious properties. The NCACC doesn’t expect a significant revenue impact but is concerned about the precedent the bill would set.
H115: Child Care Facility Tax Exemption – This bill would exempt certain child care facilities from property taxes, further reducing county property tax revenue.
H102: Owner Notification – This bill would require tax appraisers to provide detailed explanations to property owners as to how tax assessment values are determined for each property owner.
The NCACC points out to state legislators that counties have limited revenue-generation options; they rely very heavily on property and sales taxes. If some or all of the proposed exemptions pass, the association argues, counties will be forced to compensate for revenue losses through other means.
“This would leave counties with two difficult choices: raise taxes on other property owners or cut critical services such as public safety, social services, and disaster recovery efforts,” the letter states.
The letter also highlights the unique challenges faced this year by counties in the state devastated by Tropical Storm Helene – noting that damaged and unrepaired properties will already be excluded from tax bases in fiscal year 2025-2026, causing millions in revenue losses across 27 affected counties.
While opposing the current proposals, the NCACC expressed its willingness to work with legislators to develop alternative solutions.
Some of the suggested approaches include:
- Providing state funding to offset revenue losses caused by new exemptions.
- Granting counties the right to additional revenue options, such as more flexibility with sales or occupancy taxes.
- Exploring alternative tax relief measures such as eliminating state income taxes for specific groups instead of altering property tax structures.
“The 100 counties, their 587 locally elected county commissioners, and our Association seek to find solutions that work for all. We welcome the opportunity to be part of the conversation as these policies are further developed,” wrote the NCACC.
With the bill-filing deadlines quickly approaching—March 25 for Senate bills and April 3 for House bills—county leaders hope their concerns will be addressed before any final decisions are made.
I don’t care what the NACP wishes or the county commissioners would like. They get enough money as is! We the people have spoken and say we have had it with the greed. Begin taxing those companies that are not paying state taxes. We don’t need to bring ANY buisness in that makes millions for free. We the people spoke and it’s you the commissioners that need to listen. You work for us and not the other way around!
Why not a flat tax that is based on size of property, ie square footage
I think that makes a lot of sense. The challenge is that square footage would have to be verified (don’t want the Trump tricks of understating or overstating when convenient) but at least it would only be once versus continually revisiting with arbitrary estimates.
Go pound sand where the sun never shines Chris
somebody was grumpy on the keyboard yesterday. Need a hug?
If I wanted a hug I’d hug my dogs. Why in your little peabrain mind are you so obsessed with President Trump
If I wanted a hug I’d hug my dogs. Why in your little peabrain mind are you so obsessed with President Trump
Since 50% of our property taxes go to schools, the size of a home doesn’t relate and is irrelevant.
But the value does? They are largely correlated, and size is less arguable than value.
Let’s just make this easy. NC should eliminate property taxes by whatever means necessary.
Works for me
And the school systems are “always” begging for more money. Yet they continue to hire more people in meaningless jobs as a payback to the democratic party who wants control over them.
Personally, I’d vote for sales taxes and not give money (e.g., tax breaks) to corporations who say they will move here, only to find out another county is giving them a better deal, so they are leaving. It’s called a shake-down.
Because 2000 square feet in one neighborhood does NOT equal 2000 square feet in another neighborhood.
Location, location, location!
Any tax break is good! After inflation and taxes, what’s left?
Servitude to the STATE.
Even though I am a Senior I prefer that we not grant relief based upon age…We should do what California and Florida has done and limit increases on valuation to the inflation rate. Then all benefit or suffer together.
Florida is considering eliminating property taxes. Let’s hope they do. Maybe NC will see the light.
It is a power grab to take away power and funding from local governments. Can see how this would be considered a plus for Guilford County in NC but I imagine some other counties would not appreciate the loss in control. not to mention the massive funding gap for schools.
It humors me that my sister, whose property is valued at about the same as ours here, pays so much less in property tax. Remember that in NC we don’t just pay on the house and land, but a percentage of the value of the “stuff” that we own inside our homes (which can be itemized or is a guesstimate based on the home value, a total racket, as we pay on the items we owe yearly, just as we pay on the value of our cars yearly).
An amusing anecdote Deborah, I don’t know if you seen them (and I’m implying you are old by any means) but back in the time several cartoons had scenes where someone saw the tax assessor coming to the door and they pushed a button causing all the nice stuff to disappear and be replaced by junk.
I’d love that! IF the tax assessor would actually come in and look. What burns me is they ASSUME the value of your contents by the assessed value of your land and home, which doesn’t account for the fact that most of my contents are hand-me-downs from family and friends, even at a ripe old age (my husband says I’m frugal; I call it cheap!)
People who work hard for their money are more careful with it than people who get it easy.
A lot of public sector bureaucrats relate to money very casually, like kids who have wealthy parents. That insouciance is incomprehensible to a lad who grew up among coal miners and steel workers in South Wales.
It’s not frugal or cheap Deborah…It’s called being a Scot (raising hand)
I’m pretty sure that there is not a tax that Skip and Guilford County Commies and City Council don’t love and any concerns to help taxpayers is in the toilet. As for getting rid of waste and pet projects, not going to happen since to many votes depend on these projects. There may be in a blue moon some tax considerations but they will have a racial distinction.
Seems like counties are open to almost any alternative EXCEPT cutting spending
You get the A+ for your comment. Having served in local governments in other states, I can tell you the last decision they will make would be to cut spending. Too many directors, asst directors, deputy assistants to deputy directors. . .etc. And if you don’t think politics are part of the equation, I have some beachfront property for sale a $1.00 a front foot at any beach in NC.
Right on, Chris! Guilford County does not have a “short-fall”, they have no reins on spending OPMs.
How about you commissioners think about the budget of the people. With everything going up, it’s already hard on us seniors. Placing another burden by increasing property taxes won’t help us maintain our budget.
Again, this is not about revenue, but rather SPENDING. Counties have experienced a large in-flow of cash for the past 5 years: Covid relief, Stimulus money and Opioid Settlement. So they have spent it without thinking it would dry up. Time to DOGE your Dept’s and cut those budgets.
Question, how much of the Covid relief money, stimulus money, and opioid settlement did you receive? Zero? That’s what I thought.
That’s because we are considered too stupid by our Masters to be allowed to have that money. THEY know how to best spend it FOR us.
This!
Amen to that, from one old man to another. School funding is always the retreat position for politicians, yet Guilford County voters ( less than 60% of whom are property taxpayers) gave Skippy two BILLION in bonds, for which your grandchildren will pay, and still our County School Board asks for an increase in funding of 16%!.
Let’s see, we gave them over 30% in increased property taxes and they’re going to try and get another 30-60% in property tax. YES, time for DOGE in Guilford County
Property taxes should be eliminated. What other tax targets a group based on unrealized gains? What other taxes increase because of time when property owners gain no additional benefits from the increase? What other taxes force property owners to pay a tax and then exclude nonprofits, not-for-profits, country clubs, builder property tax exemptions, and retirement communities leaving mostly homeowners to pay what is not paid by those exempted? What other elected officials other than county commissioners salivate at revaluation time because this means more tax money to waste on failing schools? Why do property taxes pay for schools when most property owners have no children in public schools? This is an expense that should be borne by the state not local property owners. Abolish property taxes. NC could raise revenue by increasing sales taxes that could be returned to counties. Skip Alston’s museum is property tax exempt so he has a vested interest in raising property taxes for property owners to pay the taxes his museum does not pay. Property taxes are outmoded and now is the time to make property ownership real by abolishing the second ownership party, government.
Agree completely!
True. The Property Tax base is artificially narrow, because so many favored groups are exempted.
The Property Tax base needs to be broadened to make it more equitable and less burdensome. No more exemptions for retirement homes (the wealthiest people in our society!), or museums, or churches.
Pay your taxes, all you hand wringing liberals. No more special favors – because it’s screwing the regular folk.
Very well thought out and presented. Now you’ll have to watch your back because the Lords and Ladies will consider you a dangerous dissident.
“This would leave counties with two difficult choices: raise taxes on other property owners or cut critical services such as public safety, social services, and disaster recovery efforts,” the letter states.”
Read that very closely folks
“…cut critical services such as public safety, social services, and disaster recovery efforts,”
Where is the cutting of the tax money the County Board of Commissars and the All High Council of Greensboro take from us (under threat of force) to give to their pet NPO’ ($1.7 million dollars of OUR money just at the County level), pay raises for THEMSELVES (for what? They ASKED for this position), $2,000,000,000.00 for the schools that has yet to be used for ANYTHING, and their little occasional junkets for ‘city/county business’ (bet the spouses have fun on those).
So what I’m reading is their pet projects, giveaways, pay raises, trips and using ‘for the children’ as their excuse to rape us without so much as a kiss, but in order to keep them they are willing to sell out US, the people paying for it.
Do these items sound familiar? If they don’t, blame the schools they want $2 billion dollars to “fix” then pick up a book. (Or Google it)
For imposing taxes on us without our consent
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
We the Peasants, Surfs, & Willing Thralls, not the People.
Very well stated, Alan.
“…imposing tax exemptions at the state level without providing ***alternative revenue sources*** for counties…”
Where do they think the money in a state level “alternative revenue source” comes from? The state doesn’t run any kind of money-making business, from which they could divvy up the profits. WE are the ONLY revenue source any of these dumba$$ politicians have, and they don’t give a damn. Perhaps we should stop giving a damn about paying any taxes.
Maybe they could just cut the crap out of the budget, and leave the important stuff alone? Why is this such a hard concept to understand?
Trump’s/Elon’s DOGE concept sounds like it needs to be implemented at all levels of government – federal, state, county, city, and let’s include the various levels of school bureaucracy, too.
Mr Yost…I think their is a error in paragraph 7 of your article. I believe the word ‘relief’ needed to be added to the statement of ‘Some county commissioners…..
would like to see some property tax for the most vulnerable, but are opposed to a tax relief at the statewide level.’
If this was to pass, then that means the Guilford County commissioners won’t have money to put in their pockets and that’s why they’re fighting against it! They don’t care about the people of the county. They only care about being able to put money in their pockets. Almost most of the tax money given in Guilford County goes to Skippy’s pet projects of which he is in charge of. Where do you think that money is going? Seriously, hopefully people of Guilford County are not so stupid that they don’t know Skip is pocketing money! They will fight this tooth and nail because they only care about themselves and not the people of Guilford County. I swear, when it’s voting time, we need to get every one of these out of office and restart with people that actually care about Guilford County and it’s people.
I couldn’t agree more with those who have already commented. Our county commissioners are ingrained in the tax and spend mentality. We have all faced personal budgetary restrictions over the last four years. Why not force those at the county level to live within their means. Makes sense to me.
Greg,
In order to do that, we must first throw all the rascals out…ALL the rascals. Andi in order to do that you must motivate people to get out and vote…an OVERWHELMING number of people…that like you, I and others who are like us, sick and tired of being the source of financial support for (to quote Alan) “Professional Politicians” at ALL levels of government.
Sad when local taxpayers have to look to the State Legislature to curb the voracious appetites of local governments for never-ending tax increases.
Agree, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Greensboro and Guilford County are DEI countries and will continue to be DEI countries until someone calls them out and sues them for discrimination. Or, better still, the state of NC passes a law banning DEI practices since it is a spoils system based on race. What DEI demonstrates is that merit does not count, and that Blacks cannot compete against other groups unless given an advantage. Make no mistake about it, DEI is for Blacks, not for any other group. Therefore, we turn to the state to do the right thing, make DEI illegal, and take over public schools. Put pressure on the state legislature members to do both.
Quite frankly it is a disgrace to have property taxes be such an addiction for the “100 NC Counties”. They like all those who live within the means they have, so should the government. The government is overstepping their position. It is time for the “Reckoning” of governments to get busy making their own worth of some respectable value. The syndrome seems that they see themselves as “Rock Stars” of some sort with the special interests they claim to represent. That time is now past, it is time to take responsibility for their position. Perhaps follow the example of “cleaning house”, auditing expenditures in their county. Yes, such as experience to work and make a contribution to succeeding in running the original use of government, SERVICES to their constituents.
Citizens of Guilford County and Greensboro need a reduction in their taxes. Maybe now is the time to get all of the money hungry politicians to look for ways to reduce the number of employees, and their salaries, ad their health insurance, and their retirement, etc.
I’ve worked in local governments in the past and can tell you a lot of employees could be eliminated, excluding police and fire which are hanging by a thread. Maybe now is the time to get DOGE to come in and look at the “books” and find out how many employees (and their salaries and benefits) could be eliminated to reduce the budgets. And of course, you would eliminate DEI employees since they were hired on the basis of skin color, or nationality, or (in many cases) they are friends with those on the City Council and Board of Commissioners.
Like someone else said. These counties have been given mass quantities of funds from the federal government for the last 4 years. They have spent this money on all kinds of programs that are not sustainable so now they have to replace this revenue stream and it’s going to be property taxes. We the people want this bills pasted do we can stop this spending of our tax dollars. I’m a senior and for one can’t afford my property taxes going up.
– Pigs Against Pork Chops .
Currently homeowners can receive property tax relief is their total income, INCLUDING Social Security does not exceed $32,000. WHAT? INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY OR DISABILITY INCOME? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The only way you can earn less than that is to live in a tent or on the street. So this ‘relief’ is limit to a very few people.
To help seniors, vets and disabled homeowners, counties should FREEZE the appraised value of their property. If the mill rate increases, these homeowners would not see the huge tax increases like the increases we saw a few years ago.
Ole skippy and the democrats who control the county board were proud that Guilford had the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN THE COUNTRY! When I pointed this out, ols akippy corrected me saying Guilford County property tax increases were not he highest in the country. They were the SECOND HIGHEST! Every home in our HOA community suffered an increase of at least 28%. I wonder how much ole skippy’s taxes increased?
Democrats who control the county and school board have NEVER FAILED TO FIND WAYS TO RAISE TAXES. Ole skippy an the dems in the county even tried to RAISE SALES TAXES 3 TIMES. Ole skippy said not to worry, people from outside Guilford would pay most of the taxes. THAT IS A LIE and ole skippy knows it is a LIE. On the other hand, REPUBLICANS ALWAYS TRY TO SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY AND TO SPEND IT WISELY.
Remember a NC Judge ruled that ole skippy and the dems in Guilford and the school board ILLEGALLY COLLUDED TO TRICK TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS TO APPROVE A PLAN TO BORROW $1,7 BILLION for the schools. Taxpayers are now forced to pay almost $1BILLION IN INTEREST on these bonds. Talk about HIDING THE FACTS! Of course now the school board says that public school enrollment will DROP BY OVER 5,000 STUDENTS IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS. IF THAT IS WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS, WHY ARE THEY BUILDING ALL THE NEW SCHOOLS THEY ARE PLANNING. If each school had 500 students (and staff), the school board would not need to build 10 schools. The new school the school board will build in Colfax went from costing $39Million to over $80Million…and that is BEFORE THEY PUT THE FIRST SHOVEL IN THE GROUND! WHAT A WASTE…BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU ELECT DEMOCRATS TO CONTROL THE SCHOOL BOARD AND COUNTY.
The next time, AND EVERY TIME YOU GET TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN FOR ANY OFFICE, VOTE FOR THEM. DEMS WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY WHILE REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE WISE FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND WILL REDUCE YOUR TAXES. DOGE IS DOING TO WASHINGTON WHAT TAXPAYERS SHOULD DO IN GUILFORD COUNTY.
Stop the plan to build the vanity school at Boylston Rd. and N Bunker Hill Rd. Are you listening, Skippy? The school is not wanted and not needed. Skippy; the city of High Point; Guilford County School Superintendent, “Annie” Oakley; Deena Hayes-Greene (NAACP Queen); and the Guilford County School Board all are in favor of the vanity school. The school will cost a fortune at the expense of other Guilford County schools, especially in Greensboro. Where are the parents of students in Greensboro. Property taxpayers, you are paying for this vanity school. Where is your outrage? You complain about property taxes, so why are you not complaining about this vanity school that you are paying for? Skippy is a grifter who takes money from taxpayers to spend to make himself and Deena Hayes-Greene (NAACP Queen) powerful. Skippy’s and Deena’s minds are clouded with visions of power to screw Whitey.
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”
“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”
“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
Any of this sound familiar? Anybody recognize the source of these words? Anybody want to attached a name to the “Prince” and the “Tyrant”?
Excellent Alan, history does indeed repeat itself.
Thank you American. Not bad for for someone with an elementary school education huh?
Sounds like counties need to start trimming the fat. Stop the waste & over-regulation. Give us our freedoms and dollars back so we can decide how to use them. Cut non-mandated services from the Sheriff’s Office & that alone would save $25 million plus each year. Use that same concept across the whole county. Get back to basics. He’ll, eliminate anything we didn’t have in 1960. IMost of it is senseless feel-good garbage anyway.
Regal,
HUZZAH, HUZZAH, HUZZAH!!!
Call Elon bring D O G E in & lets see what D O G E says needs to be cut !!
Why not supplement property tax with a sales tax? Guilford needs repairs and updates to schools and roads to accommodate the new apartments, homes and commercial businesses that were county approved by the state and county.
Phyllis, you should be seated next to Skippy. You are talking his language.
My sentiments exactly TERMLIMITS. Why should we pay for the roads for new apartments, homes and commercial businesses? Let the developers pay for them then the city/county can take up the upkeep.
As for schools, I will say again…the school board has $2 billion ($2,000,000,000,000.00) of OUR dollars that’s in the form of bonds, which WE have to pay the interest on. Add to that (from what I understand) it been projected the student population will be shrinking…unless you count the non-taxpaying illegal immigrants in the schools which will push the that projection out a little further.
Just sayin’
Sorry, I got a little carried away with my 0s…sorry
We already have a Sales Tax, honey. It was 4% when I came to North Carolina. Now it’s almost twice that, despite the state’s economy being much, much bigger.
For people like you, there is never enough money seized by government from the people.
You are a real Liberal. Just don’t tell us you’re on our side.
And what part of The Parasitic Sector do you “work” in?
Headline says it all…. NC counties oppose tax relief.
Mandy Rice-Davies Applies.
Yet another day in Paradise! Some people sing a happy tune, some go shopping, others break out a beer and something nekked.
Me? I whistle the theme from Tannhauser. Could someone explain that to me?
“…others break out a beer and something nekked.”
Wagner’s Tannhauser?
* I can’t explain that, but if you like Wagner and classical music try tuning into 89.7 Mhz FM out of Wake Forest. It’s continuous classical music, and it’s great! Tomorrow at 6.00pm it’s Saturday Night Request, hosted by fellow Welshman Haydn Jones. Or Google “theclassicalstation”. Good luck tuning it in, Miller. The signal’s a bit weak by the time it gets here.
Whistle to Tannhauser? Never heard of anyone whistling to Wagner, not even Hitler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RujOFCHsxo
This should be the rallying cry!