Competing public speakers turn out to press for no property tax increase, more spending for ABSS

Scores of area residents headed to Graham on Monday as the county’s board of commissioners invited the public to weigh in on a proposed budget that county manager Heidi York rolled out in May.

In anticipation of a high turnout that evening, the commissioners had reserved Alamance County’s Historic Court House for this state-mandated public hearing on York’s spending plan. They had also cleared the decks of most other business in order to give their undivided attention to the public’s response to the budget.

In the end, 38 people availed themselves of the opportunity to address York’s budget, which combines a 2.25 cent property tax hike and a 1.2 percent cut in the county’s general outlays in order to safeguard its financial reserves.

Although a far cry from the masses who spoke out on the county’s budget a year ago, the residents who chimed in on Monday were quite passionate in their opinions about county manager’s proposals.

Nearly half of these comments came from supporters of the Alamance-Burlington school system – some of whom endorsed the county manager’s efforts to fund the school system’s operations. Others criticized York for falling short of what the local school board had sought from the county. Meanwhile, just about all of the school system’s supporters saw an increase in property taxes as a necessary means to ensure that public education is adequately funded.

Another 14 speakers leaned on the commissioners not to raise the property tax rate in the next financial cycle. These anti-tax activists included prominent members of the local Republican Party, which controls four of the five seats on the board of commissioners, as well as others who complained about the personal impact that escalating property taxes have had on their own bottom lines.

In each case, the participants in Monday’s public hearing were allotted two minutes apiece to share their opinions with the commissioners. Kelly Allen, the chairman of Alamance County’s commissioners, had used her discretion to set this two-minute ceiling in line with a precedent that her predecessor – the late John Paisley, Jr. – established a year ago.

Since the commissioners have traditionally capped public comments at three minutes, the county made an effort to publicize Allen’s decision ahead of Monday’s hearing. Even so, some of the hearing’s participants were surprised to find they had less time to speak than they expected.

The commissioners, for their part, were uncharacteristically aloof throughout Monday’s 1 hour 40 minute proceedings. Again at Allen’s direction, the five-member board uttered nary a word about the manager’s budget either before, or after, they heard from their constituents during the hearing.

Party line

Of the 38 people who did speak out on the budget, those with the most consistent message were the 14 who urged the commissioners to forgo a property tax increase.

Although objections to higher taxes have always been a feature of the county’s budgetary hearings, this year’s hue and cry has been especially intense thanks, in part, to pressure from prominent members of Alamance County’s Republican Party.

Last month, the GOP’s top brass was out in force when the county manager presented her spending plan to the board of commissioners. Several of the party’s notables privately acknowledged that they were on hand to remind the county’s Republican commissioners about the party’s anti-tax stance. This show of strength was aimed particularly at Allen and the board’s vice chairman Steve Carter, who are defending their seats in November’s general election, as well as Paisley’s successor Sam Powell, who will serve as the party’s nominee for a special two-year stint to complete the deceased commissioner’s unexpired term.

(All of the commissioners are currently Republicans save for Pam Thompson who left the GOP after her reelection in 2024 and is now registered as “unaffiliated.” Like Thompson, Republican Ed Priola is not on the ballot this year, although he has positioned himself as a consistent opponent of tax increases).

Some of the GOP’s luminaries proceeded to drill down on their anti-tax message during a generic public comment period that preceded the grand unveiling of York’s budget in May.

Kathy Page, a past chair of the local GOP, recalled that she had been among the anti-tax speakers who addressed the commissioners before York announced her recommendation for a 2.25 cent hike in the county’s current property tax rate of 49.4 cents for every $100 of property value.

“I’ve been quite frankly amazed at the number of emails, texts, and phone calls that I have received from people who shared my concern. Despite the varying circumstances of these individuals, all of them expressed the same basic message, everything cost so much right now. It is not the time for our county commissioners to raise our taxes again.”

– Kathy Page, former chair of Alamance County Republican Party

“Since that evening, I’ve been quite frankly amazed at the number of emails, texts, and phone calls that I have received from people who shared my concern,” she added during Monday’s public hearing. “Despite the varying circumstances of these individuals, all of them expressed the same basic message, everything cost so much right now. It is not the time for our county commissioners to raise our taxes again.”

Taxed out of hearth and home

The other speakers who opposed the proposed tax hike on Monday seemed like the very embodiment of the “diverse circumstances” that Page touted to the commissioners.  This anti-tax bloc included gainfully employed homeowners, retirees on fixed incomes, and even a couple of former contenders for the board of commissioners.

Henry Vines, an unrequited hopeful from this year’s GOP primary, took issue with York’s assertion that the county’s current revenue crisis can be traced back to a decision by the commissioners to lower the tax rate by 22 cents after the last countywide property revaluation in 2023. Vines, who had waged unsuccessful campaigns as a Democrat before defecting to the GOP, pointed out that the rate set after the reval was slightly higher than the “revenue neutral” figure that the tax office had estimated would allow the county to break even after the bump in the tax base.

Later that night, homeowner George Fleming, used his own property tax bill to undercut the claim of a tax cut three years ago.

“I believe there has been some misinformation this evening about the lowering of taxes. If you look at that time period, my taxes went up 20 percent that year. So, I don’t think there’s been revenue neutral taxing going on.”

– George Fleming

“I believe there has been some misinformation this evening about the lowering of taxes,” Fleming explained as he unfurled an oversized chart. “If you look at that time period, my taxes went up 20 percent that year. So, I don’t think there’s been revenue neutral taxing going on.”

The commissioners heard similar accounts from several other homeowners who approached the podium during the hearing.

“Since they reassessed our home, it doubled – it literally doubled the assessment. I don’t think I can sell my house for what it’s appraised for, so it’s hard for me to grasp how I should pay more and more every year.”

– Dianne Kraxberger

“Since they reassessed our home, it doubled – it literally doubled the assessment,” bemoaned area resident Dianne Kraxberger. “I don’t think I can sell my house for what it’s appraised for, so it’s hard for me to grasp how I should pay more and more every year.”

Vicki Bales-Humble, who co-owns a mobile home with her husband, confessed that, for many years, she saw no increase in her tax bill due to the depreciation of her dwelling on the county’s tax rolls. She added that her luck finally ran out a year ago.

“Our property taxes went up so much that we couldn’t pay them outright anymore. Now you’re talking about raising them again?!…Any commissioner who votes ‘yes’ to raise my taxes will not get my vote again.”

– Vicki Bales-Humble

“Our property taxes went up so much that we couldn’t pay them outright anymore,” she recounted. “Now you’re talking about raising them again?!…Any commissioner who votes ‘yes’ to raise my taxes will not get my vote again.”

Meanwhile, homeowner Susan Berticelli suggested that the commissioners should look for ways to raise revenue from a larger cross section of the county’s population.

“Sixty-five percent of the citizens own property in Alamance County,” Berticelli observed. “Every time we have a property tax increase, you are asking for this 65 percent person to make up for the budget shortfall for services that cover 100 percent of the population…100 percent of the population needs to give something.”

Fixed incomes at the breaking point

Alison Deacon, a letter carrier from Burlington, insisted that escalating property taxes are making it increasingly difficult for her to prepare for her financial future.

“For the last year and a half, I have struggled to put anything at all in my savings. If I can’t afford to save money even for my retirement, one cent more for taxes is unacceptable. . . I am in agreement that taxes are necessary. But we need to spend what we are given appropriately.”

– Alison Deacon

“For the last year and a half, I have struggled to put anything at all in my savings,” Deacon told the commissioners. “If I can’t afford to save money even for my retirement, one cent more for taxes is unacceptable. . . I am in agreement that taxes are necessary. But we need to spend what we are given appropriately.”

Others who’ve already entered retirement told the commissioners that increasing taxes have done much to tarnish their golden years.

“I realize that our county needs revenue. I’m just asking that there some kind of consideration is given to retirees. You lose 20 percent of your income when you retire from the state of North Carolina. I don’t want to saw on a violin…But please take that into consideration.”

– Eddie Hall

“I realize that our county needs revenue. I’m just asking that there some kind of consideration is given to retirees,” said Eddie Hall, a retired state employee. “You lose 20 percent of your income when you retire from the state of North Carolina. I don’t want to saw on a violin…But please take that into consideration.”

Harry Porthouse, another senior on a fixed income, informed the commissioners of the cost increases he’s already had to absorb for everything from gasoline to health insurance.

“In short, there’s nothing left in my budget for your increase. . . While I appreciate the county manager zeroing out all of those vacant positions, government spending here is still ever growing.”

– Harry Porthouse

“In short, there’s nothing left in my budget for your increase. . . While I appreciate the county manager zeroing out all of those vacant positions, government spending here is still ever growing.”

Mebane resident Fred Masi made a similar point to the commissioners.

“I think it’s about time that we give some real good consideration for the seniors with this property tax. You’ve heard people talking about how difficult it is for them who are working. Imagine how difficult it is for the senior citizens who are on fixed incomes. . . I’m crying now for the elderly people. Not for me, but the elderly people.”

– Fred Masi

“I think it’s about time that we give some real good consideration for the seniors with this property tax,” he added. “You’ve heard people talking about how difficult it is for them who are working. Imagine how difficult it is for the senior citizens who are on fixed incomes…I’m crying now for the elderly people. Not for me, but the elderly people.”

A lesson from educators

If the local Republican Party was the driving force behind this anti-tax sentiment, the vehicle for the other opposing camp was arguably the Alamance Burlington Association of Educators (ABAE).

Members of the local teachers’ union were a conspicuous presence at Monday’s public hearing thanks to the matching t-shirts they had donned for the occasion. Yet, their remarks to the commissioners weren’t nearly as coordinated as their apparel – with some speaking in favor of the county manager’s budget and others deeming it inadequate to meet the school system’s needs.

Among those who championed York’s proposed spending plan was Medora Burke Scoll, the current president of the ABAE.

“I am a property owner in Alamance County, and I would like y’all to support Ms. York’s budget and raise my property taxes. At the end of the day, nobody likes the budget . . . so it’s probably a pretty good budget.”

– Medora Burke-Scoll, president of the Alamance Burlington Association of Educators

“I am a property owner in Alamance County, and I would like y’all to support Ms. York’s budget and raise my property taxes,” Burke-Scoll declared somewhat flippantly. “At the end of the day, nobody likes the budget…so it’s probably a pretty good budget.”

Burke-Scoll’s position didn’t quite make the grade with other members of her organization.

Windy Lampson, a former teacher of the year, pointed out that the Alamance-Burlington school board had sought about $3.2 million more for the school system’s operations than the county manager saw fit to propose.

“I want people to understand that this is not a request for extra or unnecessary spending. This is a request for basic needs that affect our students, teachers, staff, and families.”

– Windy Lampson, former ABSS teacher of the year

“I want people to understand that this is not a request for extra or unnecessary spending,” Lampson contended. “This is a request for basic needs that affect our students, teachers, staff, and families.”

Lampson added that the items omitted from the county manager’s budget include things like safety vestibules in the schools that currently lack them, paving at schools that need them, and the replacement of staff laptops, as well as upgrades to athletic facilities that are no longer adequate for competition.

Ruth Schallert, an occupational therapist for the school system, insisted that she appreciates the county manager’s efforts to “shield” the schools from the budget cuts that the county’s own departments have suffered.

“But I’m telling you that sparing us from cuts is not the same as providing adequate funding. Right now, Alamance County ranks 109th out of 116 school districts in local funding. We are already at the bottom. This recommended increase is actually less than inflation, and staying still means that our children are falling further behind.”

– Ruth Schallert, an occupational therapist with ABSS

“But I’m telling you that sparing us from cuts is not the same as providing adequate funding,” she continued. “Right now, Alamance County ranks 109th out of 116 school districts in local funding. We are already at the bottom. This recommended increase is actually less than inflation, and staying still means that our children are falling further behind.”

Meanwhile, Meagan Hummel, who teaches exceptional children, discussed the financial pressures facing her and others in her line of work.

“We’re losing incredible educators. Many are leaving because they can make more money working at Target. . . A fully funded budget is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about whether we’re willing to invest in the people who educate, protect, and support the children of this county. . . I love my students. I love this work. But love alone can’t sustain a broken system.”

– Meagan Hummel, ABSS exceptional children’s teacher

“We’re losing incredible educators,” Hummel said. “Many are leaving because they can make more money working at Target…A fully funded budget is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about whether we’re willing to invest in the people who educate, protect, and support the children of this county…I love my students. I love this work. But love alone can’t sustain a broken system.”

‘Raise my property taxes’

The commissioners heard more pleas to “fully fund” the school system from Sandy Ellington-Graves, the chairman of the Alamance-Burlington school board, and fellow school board member Seneca Rogers.

Other speakers who endorsed the school system’s request unabashedly spoke up in favor of a property tax hike to fund the school system and other government services.

“If we are not going to raise taxes, then where are we going to get the money from? The things that are going to suffer are our schools, our libraries, our roads, and our infrastructure.”

– Ebony Pinnix

Ebony Pinnix suggested that it may require a property tax hike to fund schools, libraries, and other public services due to the state’s lack of alleged rectitude.

“If we are not going to raise taxes, then where are we going to get the money from?” she inquired. “The things that are going to suffer are our schools, our libraries, our roads, and our infrastructure.”

“Nobody wants to pay higher property taxes. But I feel that the modest increase proposed by the county manager is worth it. . . A small increase in property taxes provides critical, needed infrastructure for everyone in Alamance County at a much lower rate than residents could afford on their own. . . It’s true that we’re all having to pay more for our everyday expenses. But it’s important to recognize that property taxes are not the main reason we are all suffering. . . It’s things like Duke Power’s rate hikes. . . the North Carolina legislature cutting corporate property taxes. . . and the war raising gas prices.”

– Emily Conway

“Nobody wants to pay higher property taxes,” agreed Emily Conway. “But I feel that the modest increase proposed by the county manager is worth it…A small increase in property taxes provides critical, needed infrastructure for everyone in Alamance County at a much lower rate than residents could afford on their own…It’s true that we’re all having to pay more for our everyday expenses. But it’s important to recognize that property taxes are not the main reason we are all suffering…It’s things like Duke Power’s rate hikes…the North Carolina legislature cutting corporate property taxes…and the war raising gas prices.”

Area resident Lisa Brendle conceded that, as a small business owner, property taxes have long been a burr in her financial saddle.

“I hate, hate, hate it when it’s time to pay property taxes. . . The price of everything is going up. The difference is that, with property taxes, you see where your money is going – right back into the community, and we are lucky enough to have a voice in how our money is being invested. . . If we think our property taxes are bad here, try another county where they go up 5 percent every year.”

– Lisa Brendle

“I hate, hate, hate it when it’s time to pay property taxes…The price of everything is going up. The difference is that, with property taxes, you see where your money is going – right back into the community, and we are lucky enough to have a voice in how our money is being invested…If we think our property taxes are bad here, try another county where they go up 5 percent every year.”

Morgan Baker, a public school teacher and mother of three, empathized with the financial hardships that opponents of a tax increase had brought to the board’s attention.

“I understand concerns about taxes. My family feels those pressures, too. After all, I am a teacher. . . But as a taxpayer myself, I believe that a moderate tax increase is worth it because the return on that investment is our children and our community.”

– Morgan Baker

“I understand concerns about taxes,” Baker conceded. “My family feels those pressures, too. After all, I am a teacher. . . But as a taxpayer myself, I believe that a moderate tax increase is worth it because the return on that investment is our children and our community.”

Baker got no argument from Hillary Messer, a fellow mother and a public school teacher.

“I hate taxes. So do other teachers who have to work more than one job to put food on the table. . . I don’t want my taxes raised. However, not raising my taxes is not an option. . . We’re all struggling financially. But our children are the ones that are taking a cut for it.”

– Hillary Messer

“I hate taxes,” Messer asserted. “So do other teachers who have to work more than one job to put food on the table…I don’t want my taxes raised. However, not raising my taxes is not an option…We’re all struggling financially. But our children are the ones that are taking a cut for it.”

Ben Marinis also called on the commissioners to invest more in the schools even at the cost of a higher property tax rate.

“The children of this county are worth the 2 cent raise. I hope you would agree. . . It’s time to forget about your reelection campaigns and do what is right.”

– Ben Marinis

“The children of this county are worth the 2 cent raise,” he insisted. “I hope you would agree…It’s time to forget about your reelection campaigns and do what is right.”

Outliers

The commissioners heard a number of other remarks on Monday that weren’t easy to ascribe to either the anti-tax or the pro-school positions.

Katherine Frazier, a candidate for the Alamance-Burlington school board, said she’d love to see the school system’s budget fully funded.

“But, it may not be the time for property tax increases,” she added. “So, let’s think differently. Please consider putting a quarter cent sales tax increase on the ballot in November and plan to allocate it to public education.”

Several of the commissioners have also publicly spoken out in support of a 1/4 cent hike in the local sales tax, although this measure has failed to win over the local electorate during four previous countywide votes. Earlier this year, the county’s governing board reached a consensus not to add a fifth referendum to the ballot in this fall’s general election due, in part, to the limited time available to plug the proposed increase.

Yet, in addition to Frazier, the idea of a sales tax referendum has also caught the fancy of Cheryl Sandford, an appointed member of the county’s library committee. Sandford also suggested that the school system could take the initiative to replenish its own coffers by selling sponsorships for some of its facilities.

“Can we give gym naming rights to a local company for donating an air conditioner?” she opined. “We can save tax dollars and avoid a tax increase by thinking outside the box.”

Two other remarks from Monday’s public hearing are also worth mentioning although they fall outside of the dichotomy of less taxes versus more funds for the schools.

“I’m here to urge caution on the recommendation to move $7.5 million from the courthouse expansion to other county projects. Our court spaces do not adequately measure the security threats in our community. Our court spaces were designed for a different time.”

– District Court judge and former county commissioner Craig Turner

Craig Turner, a former county commissioner who now serves as a district court judge, returned to the county’s governing board during the hearing in order to plead the case for its members to honor the county’s commitment to funding an expansion of the Judge J.B. Allen, Jr. Court House in Graham.

“I’m here to urge caution on the recommendation to move $7.5 million from the courthouse expansion to other county projects,” the district court judge went on to explain. “Our court spaces do not adequately measure the security threats in our community. Our court spaces were designed for a different time.

Meanwhile, sheriff Terry Johnson took to the floor to reiterate York’s claim that a tax cut in 2023 has left the county in a perennial hole.

Yet, rather than advocate for, or against, the manager’s budget, the sheriff simply asked the commissioners to waive an existing policy that enjoins his agency to replace its patrol cars once the odometer reaches 120,000 miles. Johnson insisted that, if the threshold can be adjusted, he’d happily give up some of the replacement vehicles that he has in York’s budget in order to purchase digital storage for the body cameras that his agency has recently issued to its jailers and deputies.

“The recommended budget gave us body cameras but no storage.  I’m willing to give up cars to get the money to get the digital storage. But you’re going to have to help me by raising the mileage to 150,000 miles.”

– sheriff Terry Johnson

“The recommended budget gave us body cameras but no storage,” the sheriff lamented. “I’m willing to give up cars to get the money to get the digital storage. But you’re going to have to help me by raising the mileage to 150,000 miles.”

“The recommended budget gave us body cameras but no storage,” the sheriff lamented. “I’m willing to give up cars to get the money to get the digital storage. But you’re going to have to help me by raising the mileage to 150,000 miles.”

The commissioners, meanwhile, are scheduled to resume their own discussion of the manager’s budget during a so-called work session at 9:30 a.m. on June 9 in their usual meeting chambers.

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