The budgets for the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County have been adopted as mandated by the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. Each municipality must operate under an annual balanced budget ordinance within the fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.
Cumberland County
On June 19, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a $406,207,579 budget, which “lowered the property tax rate to 49.9 cents, down from 79.9 cents, easing the burden on taxpayers while advancing essential services and strategic investments,” according to Board of Commissioner Chairman Kirk deViere.
The budget included the following highlights:
• Addressing education needs from Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville Technical Community College and the new Cape Fear Valley Medical School
• $103 million for Cumberland County Schools
• $300 million capital investment in school facility maintenance and $160 million for new school construction
• $16.25 million in operating support and $11.5 million in capital funding for Fayetteville Technical Community College
• $10 million investment in the Cape Fear Valley Medical School
• Ensuring a safe community for all residents by strengthening recruitment and retention of Sheriff’s Deputies and Detention Officers, investing in public health staffing to enhance service delivery, funding for Legal Aid and supporting volunteer fire departments
• Working through strategic investments in economic development partnerships to attract new industries, expanding access to clean and regulated water throughout the county and enhancing technology
• Enhancing health and wellness by supporting health and community-based services as well as newborn health and early-life wellness
• $30 million investment in a mental health diversion facility offering 24/7 inpatient care
• Increased resources for Veterans Services to better serve those who served
• Supporting local nonprofits and supplementing transportation services for senior and disabled residents
• Reducing property tax rate to 49.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, providing significant tax relief following the 2025 revaluation, and investing in the County’s professional workforce, including a cost-of-living adjustment
• Expansion of Parks and Recreation access, particularly in rural areas, promoting equitable access to leisure and wellness opportunities
• $500,000 allocated for planning and scoping a regional aquatics center
City of Fayetteville
On June 9, the City of Fayetteville adopted an operating budget for FY2026 of $315.2 million and a Capital Improvement Plan of $91.8 million with a 9-1 vote. The budget passed with the lowest property tax rate in 30 years at $0.4495 per $100 value and did not increase stormwater or solid waste fees or FAST transit fares.
The budget included the following highlights:
• $30.7 million for stormwater improvements
• $20.6 million for public safety and technology
• $9.5 million for parks and recreation
• $6.2 million for additional community needs such as public safety cameras, neighborhood enhancements and sidewalk expansions
• $4.6 million in employee compensation, offering a 4% merit increase and a 1% increase to 401(k) contributions
• $1.5 million was included in the budget to address pay compression in public safety
“This budget is a win for Fayetteville,” said City Manager Doug Hewett. “It reflects our commitment to safety, neighborhoods and economic development while also being sensitive to household affordability.”
In other news, the Fayetteville Area System of Transportation (FAST) has summer fun bus passes for Fayetteville area youth ages 18 and under for unlimited rides across FAST routes for just $15 through Aug. 15. Fun passes can be purchased at the FAST Transit Center at 505 Franklin Street. FAST services 30 fixed-route buses on 18 routes.
Joint City of Fayetteville — Cumberland County Liaison Committee
Members of the Fayetteville City Council and Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met on June 16 to hear presentations from Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern NC on food insecurity and community support, Cumberland County Justice Services on youth services and juvenile prevention and Mid-Carolina Regional Council on workforce development and youth employment including the Future is So Bright and ICON internship programs.
The city and county meet jointly to discuss ways they can further collaborate and communicate effectively. The next meeting will be held on Aug. 18 in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success, and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.