Multiple US Counties Approve Budgets With Mixed Tax, Utility Rate Changes

Several counties and cities across the U.S. are adjusting their budgets and tax rates in response to growth, infrastructure needs, and service expansions. Mooresville County maintains a property tax rate of 50 cents per $100 of assessed value but has increased its overall budget by more than 6% while delaying some projects to prioritize new school construction. Waterville saw a modest tax rate increase by 14 cents per $1,000 of property valuation, but due to a recent revaluation, homeowners may experience a tax decrease as property assessments adjust. Bennington approved a 2.35% combined increase in water and sewer rates to accommodate rising usage and inflation. Shelby County’s mayor proposed a revised 2026 budget featuring one of the lowest property tax rates in history at $2.69 per $100, with a focus on employee wages, schools, and filling federal funding gaps. Burke County lowered its property tax rate to 55.5 cents per $100 and increased funding for schools and community college, alongside raising water and sewer service fees and approving major facility renovations.