WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA – On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Wilson County Commissioners unanimously passed a $142,388,744 budget for the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year. This budget makes investments into education, employees, public safety, emergency medical services, human services, economic development and many other vital and essential services for Wilson County citizens. Wilson County Commissioners have spent the last five months reviewing each department’s revenues and expenditures, while assessing the county's needs. The new fiscal year will begin on July 1, 2026.

“We greatly appreciate Commissioners leadership during the FY 2027 budgeting process. We are thankful for all of the citizens’ participation in the public hearing. The unanimously approved budget is balanced with no tax increase, that meets our state and federal requirements. We move forward into FY 2027 serving our growing county and looking forward to what’s ahead,” stated County Manager Ron Hunt.

The 2026-27 Budget season started internally in the fall of 2025 with county administration budget preparations. 

• Official meetings kicked off on February 17, 2026 with a meeting between County Commissioners and Wilson County Government staff.
• The month of April consisted of several meetings where county departments and educational partners presented their budgets to Commissioners for their review.
• County Manager Ron Hunt gave his proposed budget presentation to Commissioners on May 4.
• After the May 4 meeting, Commissioners held one budget work session on May 12 to review expenditures line-by-line and clarify any questions that they had for each department.
• A public hearing was held on May 28 at the Wilson County Government Center. After the public hearing closed, County Commissioners approved the $142.3 million budget.

Highlights of the budget include a $0.595 tax rate, which remains the same as last fiscal year with no increase in the rate. This budget represents a 3.61% increase over last year’s approved budget. It is balanced and meets state and federally mandated funding for services. The three largest service expenditures continue to be Human Services 27%, Public Safety 26%, and Education 22%.  

Wilson County Government’s approved budget supports its five core values of Sound Financial Management, Innovative County Workforce, Community Partnerships, Quality of Life and Superior Education and Workforce. View the County Manager's budget message, recommended budget presentation, PDF of the approved budget and the video of the May 28, 2026 budget public hearing.

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