Cumberland County adopts FY27 budget, maintains property tax rate
By Staff Report, posted Jun 25, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 23 to adopt the County’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget during a special meeting held at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
The adopted budget totals $666,456,156 across all operating funds and includes a General Fund budget of $408,269,504. The budget maintains the current property tax rate of 49.9 cents while continuing investments in health and human services, public safety, education, infrastructure and other essential services.
“This budget holds the line on the property tax rate while continuing to invest in health and human services, public safety, education and infrastructure, and it does so with the discipline to prepare for changing federal and state requirements ahead,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere in a press release.
“Balancing current needs with future responsibilities requires thoughtful planning and disciplined stewardship,” said County Manager Clarence Grier in a press release. “By maintaining essential services, investing in key priorities and preparing for emerging challenges, Cumberland County remains well-positioned to serve residents and support long-term community success.”
FY27 Budget Highlights
- Continues investment in public health and human services programs
- Continues investment in Cumberland County Schools and Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Supports employee compensation and retention efforts
- Continues investment in public safety, including Sheriff's Office operations, School Resource Officers and emergency services
- Supports emergency communications improvements and continued planning for regional 911 operations
- Advances water, sewer and infrastructure initiatives that support future growth
The adopted budget also positions the County to address anticipated federal funding and program changes, including additional administrative costs associated with Medicaid and SNAP program requirements. County leadership will continue working with department leaders and staff to evaluate compensation, workload and service delivery needs while ensuring residents continue receiving essential services.
“I’m proud of the work this Board, County Manager Grier and our talented staff continue to do together on behalf of our community,” deViere added in a press release. “Through collaboration, strategic investment and responsible planning, we are building a strong, safe and thriving Cumberland County for current and future generations.”
Throughout the budget process, the Board of Commissioners focused on maintaining essential services, investing in community priorities and ensuring Cumberland County remains financially strong in the face of economic uncertainty and changing federal requirements.
The FY27 budget advances the Board of Commissioners’ strategic priorities through investments in the following areas:
Enhancing Health and Wellness
Continued funding for public health and human services programs
Continued support for school health nurses and community health initiatives
Continued planning and funding strategies to address evolving federal and state human services requirements and program changes
Ensuring a Safe Community for All Residents
Continued investment in Sheriff's Office operations and public safety initiatives
Funding to support emergency services and emergency communications improvements
Continued support for School Resource Officers and crossing guards
Ongoing planning efforts related to regional emergency and 911 operations
Supporting a High-Performing Education System
Continued investment in Cumberland County Schools
Continued investment in Fayetteville Technical Community College
Support for student health and safety initiatives
Encouraging Quality Development and Smart Growth
Continued investment in water, sewer and infrastructure initiatives
Support for regionalization efforts and long-term water and sewer planning
Continued capital investments that position Cumberland County for future growth
Continued investment in the Fayetteville State University Regional Entrepreneur & Business Hub
Championing Responsive, Transparent Government
Maintains the current property tax rate of 49.9 cents
Continues investment in technology and operational improvements
Supports ongoing evaluation of County compensation plans, workforce needs and service delivery models
Providing Culture and Recreation Opportunities
Continued support for libraries, parks and community programs
Investments in cultural and recreational initiatives
The FY27 budget information is available online at cumberlandcountync.gov/budget.
The FY27 budget meetings and work sessions can be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel.
Copyright © 2026
Enhanced Media Management Inc. dba
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
This story may be displayed, reformatted and printed for your personal, noncommercial use only and in
accordance with our Terms of Service located at https://bizfayetteville.com/useragreement.