Property owners in the county – who are already paying out the nose for their tax bills after the 2022 revaluation – can breathe a sigh of relief about one thing: The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will not increase the property tax rate in the coming 2025-2026 fiscal county budget, which will be adopted in June and go into effect on July 1 of this year.
However, and this is a very big however, while there will be no tax increase in the coming budget, everyone should expect to see another major increase in their tax bills next year when the 2026-2027 budget is adopted.
That’s because new property values for the 2026 revaluation will go on the books January 1 of 2026, and those values are expected to be much higher than current property values in almost all cases.
Next year, the Board of Commissioners will not raise the tax rate, but property owners will see their tax bills increase nonetheless because the current Democrat-led Board of Commissioners has shown no inclination to adjust the property tax rate lower to stabilize tax bills and tax revenues at previous levels.
The Board of Commissioners, in a recent budget session with Mike Halford, has been seeking ways to get through the 2025-2026 budget without raising taxes, because they have their eyes on the prize next year – the giant influx of new revenue that will come into their hands after the reval. That way, they will be able to bring in a lot more money and still say they didn’t raise the tax rate.
After the 2022 revaluation, the commissioners pointed proudly to the fact that they didn’t hike the tax rate; however, the thing they did not call attention to is that the reason they didn’t need to raise the tax rate is that the new valuations from the 2022 revaluations brought them an “extra” $92 million or so and – rather than let the taxpayers keep the money – they spent it on new initiatives like a greatly expanded Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise Department (MWBE) and things like starting to pay back the massive $2 billion in school bond debt that board has decided to take on in recent years.
Despite that extra $90-plus million coming in each year since the 2022 revaluation, the board has also, somewhat amazingly, continued to raid the county’s savings fund to levels where state finance officials start to get uneasy, as do county managers.
In the past, the rule has been that, at a minimum, local governments in the state should keep at least 8 percent of the budget set aside for a rainy day, which, according to Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, is the level near where it sits today.
At a commissioners retreat at NC A&T University earlier this year, Guilford County Manager Mike Halford began gently warning the board that it would be extremely unwise to keep using savings account money to fund recurring years expenses, as the board has done in the past three years. And Halford has continued to warn them of that in meeting after meeting. It is somewhat astonishing that, at a time when Federal Rescue Plan money has been flooding in, and roughly $92 million in extra money from the 2022 revaluation is coming in each year, the Guilford County commissioners still felt a need to raid the savings account year after year.
It has put them in a bind, but when a flood of new taxpayer money starts coming in from the higher property prices after the 2026 revaluation, the commissioners should be able to replenish some of that money they’ve taken out of the county’s savings account, and they’ll also have plenty of extra millions to spend on new projects, add more county positions, continue giving generous across-the-board raises and promote other new projects the commissioners and county staff are enamored with.
But, again, the good news (for now) is that there will be no tax increase this year.
Chairman Alston told the Rhino Times this week that he would not vote for a tax increase in 2025 and he added that others on the board agree this is not the time.
“The other commissioners don’t support it either,” Alston said of a 2025 tax hike.
The chairman said the county manager might bring a budget recommendation with a tax increase but, if so, it will get shot down.
“Mike’s budget is Mike’s budget,” Alston said. “He can recommend what he wants.”
Alston, who has been chairman of the board since the Democrats took control of the board five years ago, always gets his way when it comes to county matters.
The bad news, of course, is that Alston also told the Rhino Times that he doesn’t want to see the tax rate lowered in 2026 after the new housing prices go on the books and into the tax bills.
However, despite Alston’s intentions, the board may be forced by public opinion to reduce the tax rate somewhat.
Earlier this year Tax Director Ben Chavis revealed what, on average, county property is worth now as opposed to four years ago. If those values hold up to the end of the year as expected, then the average property owner in the county will see a 47 percent increase in their 2026 tax bills.
That would be another astronomical tax bill hike coming just four years after property owners in the county saw a 25 to 30 percent hike in 2022.
Those who live in Greensboro and High Point could also see that portion of their property bills increase based on the new values as well, depending on what those two city councils decide.
Not lowering the Guilford County tax rate at all in 2026 seems like it might be political suicide for the commissioners who wish to continue sitting behind the dais at the Old Guilford County Court House. A nearly 50 percent yearly tax increase on top of the already sky high tax bills might cause voters to show the current commissioners the door.
cant wait to see what skip and clown show do with my 47% contribution. taxes go up by 47% and payroll only 3%. you got to love obama math.
I do not expect citizens to change the way they vote, so go on and bend over for another screwing. This is Guilford County and waste, pet projects for votes and racial policies for unqualified builders is a staple. The schools will continue to whine while grades continue to tank. DEI is alive and well and the invitation to the homeless continues.
Well they need the money to pay unscrupulous criminal state and county contractors who do nothing and get paid. Also the people that run non profits and are stealing money from the charities that donate to them left and right, and getting away with it, HOW SHAMEFUL like the guy Robinson who ran for Governor. Non Profits should be audited every two years. Using the Non profits as a way to run every and all purchases through so as not to pay taxes. These people are out and out white collar criminals who have been raping the system for years and in some cases using Affirmative action and DEI as a means to get their contracts, and open and fund Non Profits. Then the County raises taxes on the rest of the poor folks TO PAY THEM so they can live in their brick castles and drive around in Range Rovers, BMW’s, Mercedes, thumbing their noses and laughing at the system. Everyone around them sees what they are doing and everyone talks about them.
I guarantee you I will be selling and moving before my 2026 tax bill. This is the last year they’re going to get me! Thank you for enlightening me on how they like to recklessly spend our money.
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There is no limit to the rapacious greed of The Parasitic Sector, especially when it’s controlled by the Left.
Year after year our tax money is spent as if there is an unlimited supply. Take for example the budget for schools; many years ago instead of budgeting for building maintenance money was spent on paving parking lots and adding many more administrator positions. The buildings were so poorly maintained Skip Alstom and others went on a begging tour to pass a huge bond. I think we need more accountability in how our tax money is spent. Perhaps budgets could be more accessible to residents and programs money is spent on should have to prove their success.
The County needs a DOGE to lower spending!
You said it, Brother!
It amazes me to think that such a blatant lie by the county, and perpetuated by this publication, is believed by the majority of residents in Guilford county. No Tax increases, is blatantly Lying when you know an increase in property taxes due to revaluation in occurring Now. Increasing the budget 50% from increased taxes for 2026.
The entire Board of commissioners needs to be replaced in the next election. Anyone running their campaign on fiscal responsibility to maintain a budget, without the current “pet Projects” should be easily elected.
2026 is an election year isn’t it!!!!!!!
Do the Math. It’s Incredible, unbelievable.
A 47% Tax Increase, with no tax Rate Increase is in EXCESS of $200,000,000, That’s 200 MILLION DOLLARS. This is Never mentioned.
Plus the $92,000,000 from 2022 is OVER a Quarter of a BILLION DOLLARS, 77% Increase coming from Guilford County Home Owners and Given to the Commissioners and Mike Halford to Spend and not worry about Cost and Efficiency..
Anybody can Spend Money. Only those who are Clever, Smart and Care can Reduce Budgets by Increasing Cost and Efficiency.
The Tax Payers need to understand this.
The Commissioners keep talking about “No Tax Rate Increase”.
That SOUNDS like there will not be more money coming out of your pocket. WRONG.
That’s a Twist of words to Play the Game to get it Passed. What they don’t seem to focus on is this will still cost EVERY HOMEOWNER 47% MORE, in 2026, 2027 and From Now On.
Affordable Housing and 77% (30% in 2022 Plus 47% Proposed in 2026) Tax Increases do Not go together.
Rhino Times should print a Simple, Short, Down to Earth article publishing the amount of Money this will cost the Tax Paying Citizens of Guilford County, so All Understand this. Publish what the Average Increase will be.
Once this is passed, it’s too late people.
government employment lacks the ‘profits’ that motivate entrepreneurs in our capitalistic culture ? how can we fix that ?
Guilford County needs to make some changes on the commission. They have done a poor job on financial management their primary responsibility.
Raleigh should end property taxes. Find another way to pay for county governments. The state should take over the failing schools amid the dwindling number of public-school students. How does Skip Alston and the other County Commissioners practice blatant discrimination without being held accountable? The use of DEI, MWBE, and the requirement that companies with large contracts hire Blacks as subcontractors is unlawful. Any practice that openly excludes a group based on the color of their skin is discrimination; and Skip Alston, County Commissioners, and Guilford County should be sued on the grounds that the practice violates the Equal Protection Clause since our tax money is being used in an unlawful way causing hardship and an undue burden on property taxpayers whose property taxes continue to increase due to these unlawful practices. Start by writing letters to the legislature in Raleigh, senators and congressmen in Washington, as well as commissioners and Greensboro City Council because the city practices the same discrimination as Guilford County.
replace it with a pollution tax on water n sewer, hydrocarbon use, hard surface (roof etc) dirty transport etc .
I heard that seniors in Rowan County are exempt from property tax. Shouldn’ t this be the case everywhere? It’s not like Social Security increases anywhere near the increase in property tax.
Give seniors a break.
Scott, can you check on how seniors are taxed depending on county?
I will look into it. Thanks for the idea Susan.
I agree. As seniors and citizens, we are trying to to live too.
There are several ways to reduce taxes for seniors but none will be adopted by our County or City. (Seniors contribute to the school budget despite not having children in the system for years.) Meanwhile the number of students continues to decline. I’m all in favor of allowing only property owners to vote for City and County candidates, while only taxing student families for school taxes. After all, they are the only ones with real skin in the game!
2008 LARGEST… Forced annexation in Greensboro’s history, sanctioned by the state. My only gain was a plastic leaf container. But I did gain 2X the TAXES. Formally rural areas were subjected to any housing density and housing types, the city wished. No regards to citizens wishes. Stackum and Packum and Taxum. The city refers to your house/HOME as “Our Housing” stock. Forced annexation is “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”. But, but… we did have elected representatives who initiated it. Look at SUMMERFIELD. Government can annex and de-annex your community, depending on (who’s?) monetary needs. “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION” What happened in 1776?
Good points.
in exchange for ‘no property tax’ would you accept toll roads linking rural into every designated ‘municipality’ in your area ? you might NEVER need to come into town ! your tax: NADA !
It’s time to leave our taxs are to high for what we are getting Greensboro is filled with trash all over roads people standing on the sidewalks begging for money with a help wanted sing behind them there are pot holes everywhere the trash truck may or may not pick up your trash food is high crime is up people are driving with expert license plates driving and texting and the list goes on and on who wants to live here and pay for people that are not working or migrant that feed off the American tax payers.