South Raleigh News

As the midpoint of 2024 approaches, Wake County residents find themselves bracing for yet another potential blow to their wallets with a proposed tax increase looming in the 2025 fiscal year budget. 

Wake County Manager David Ellis has put forth a budget totaling $2.07 billion, representing a significant 10% surge from the current budget. If approved, this proposal would mean that properties with a median value of $462,000 in the county could anticipate tax bills reaching $2,358, stirring concerns among residents already grappling with economic challenges.

One vocal opponent of the tax hike is Jacob Arthur, a candidate for the Wake County Board of Commissioners. 

Arthur expressed his dismay, highlighting the perpetual upward trajectory of the county budget without commensurate relief for taxpayers. 

"It's an ever-increasing budget year after year after year. It just is up, up, up, up, up... Not every problem is fixed with more money," he told South Raleigh News.

Arthur voiced concerns about the financial strain on families, exacerbated by rising costs of essentials like gas and food.

“I'm a father. We've got a family of six and we're feeling it in the pocketbook already,” he said. “Gas prices are up. Food is up. Pretty much everything we have to purchase. Prices are up. Inflation, you know, is causing people to have problems and concerns and dealing with ever increasing property taxes to fund the ever increasing budget. It's hurting folks. It's a problem.” 

Arthur advocated for a more prudent approach, urging county departments to scrutinize their expenditures and identify areas for cuts, reminiscent of measures taken during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Anyone that's receiving Wake County dollars. We have to look at where we can make cuts,” he said. “I think that's where you start asking. There's supposed to identify areas that we can make cuts, and whether you set that set on a level for that. You know, 5%, 10% across the board just to go ahead and set some kind of baseline to look at that doesn't mean that's what I would want to cut, but at least have an idea of what it would look like so we can move forward from there.” 

Arthur emphasized the importance of prioritizing essential services like public safety while exploring avenues to curtail unnecessary spending.

Reflecting on his experience as a former school board candidate, Arthur stressed the need for fiscal responsibility in education spending, urging collaboration between the county and school board to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated efficiently.

“I think in these sessions, when they discuss this issue with the school board, there needs to be dialogue there as well, because the school board is constantly asking for more money as well, which in turn means the county's asked to provide more money,” he said. “And as a county commissioner, I would want to make sure we're getting some return for that investment. So, again, talking with the school board and finding areas where they may be able to be a little more fiscally responsible.”

The proposed tax increase has ignited a debate within Wake County, with residents grappling with the balance between funding essential services and alleviating the burden on taxpayers. 

As discussions unfold, all eyes are on the Wake County Board of Commissioners to address these concerns and chart a sustainable fiscal course for the county's future.

The budget proposal earmarks $693 million for Wake County schools, though the school board seeks over $707 million. 

The budget process includes upcoming hearings on May 20 and May 21, with opportunities for online comments until May 22, followed by board work sessions and a final vote on June 3.

The proposed budget allocates more resources to public safety, including adding 16 deputies to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and ten additional ambulances for Wake EMS. 

The John Locke Foundation has criticized Wake County, pointing out the raise in property tax rates is hefty. 

“The tax bill on the median value home would increase from $1,971 to $2,359, good for a whopping 20 percent increase,” the John Locke Foundation said in a report. 

The John Locke Foundation also noted the budget includes a request for an extra $49 million for Wake County schools, representing a 7.6% one-year increase and marking a remarkable 63% boost in funding over the past seven years, despite a 1.3% decline in student enrollment.

Arthur, a Wake County native, attorney, businessman, and Navy veteran, is running for Wake Board of Commissioners District 6. Arthur is a husband and father of four, with three children attending Wake County Public Schools. 

With experience in both the military and business sector, Arthur’s candidate platform is committed to implementing sustainable fiscal policies, lowering taxes, increasing public safety and ensuring accountability in public school funding.