Millage rate increases by six cents
Robbinsville – After much discussion and several public hearings, Graham County released its draft budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year Monday.
Based on the projection, county officials are estimating $65,561,685 in revenues and expenditures. Additionally, the ad valorem tax (millage rate) has increased from 59 to 65 cents, based on a valuation of $1,548,245,232 and a 96.88% collection rate. The county will look to the collection of property taxes as its largest revenue stream ($9,735,844, or 42.5% of anticipated income).
Across the aisle, public safety ($6,643,489, or 29%) is expected to consume the biggest portion of expenditures – trailed closely by general government ($6,340,183, or 27.68%) and human services ($4,685,317, or 20.45%).
Breaking down revenues and expenditures further reveals:
* Funding for the Graham County Sheriff's Office was reduced $241,833 from the 2025-26 cycle. The office will function on a budget of $2,042,007;
* Graham County EMS has been cut $160,447, to a budget of $1,898,152;
* The Graham County Detention Center saw a minor increase of $38,453, for a total budget of $1,578,903;
* Operations at the Graham County Department of Social Services will proceed on a budget of $2,086,821 (down $279,456);
* Sanitation is appropriated $1,205,170 (a reduction of $128,030), which makes the department the most expensive to operate under the "general government" category. The governing body is expected to cost $1,150,767; both amounts consume 38% of the general government budget.
The budget is available for public viewing at the Graham County Administration Building (196 Knight St., Robbinsville). A public hearing concerning the budget will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, inside the community room at the administration building. The hearing will be held in conjunction with the next regularly-scheduled commissioner meeting.
Fiscal year 2026-27 begins Wednesday, July 1.