Sanford Council raises property taxes, keeps downtown police funding in 2026-27 budget

Correction: The City of Sanford passed the 2026-2027 initial budget proposal with a 55.5¢ property tax rate, an increase of 2¢ (county is 65.5¢), a 7% increase for water and sewer services and preserved the typical annual road repair allowance at $750,000.

As explained during the June 23 budget workshop, among the reasons for the property tax increase is that VinFast has not “happened yet,” but Sanford already invested with expanded utilities.

The state funded $75 million for VinFast’s water and sewer line expansions and upgrades which totaled $135 million for the entire system. The General Assembly, Golden LEAF Foundation grants and the North Carolina Department of Transportation infrastructure funds contributed the most.

North Carolina and Sanford bet big in July 2022 with a $1.2 billion incentive package. VinFast broke ground a year later. In May 2026, the state sued, alleging VinFast had breached its agreement, and the state is now trying recover taxpayer-funded site preparation costs and regain control of the property under provisions negotiated in 2022.

According to the City of Sanford, “Sanford receives 20% of net property tax revenue generated at the VinFast/megapark site (Chatham County), for 50 years.” Individual property owners do not receive a single cent.

Sanford’s taxpayers’ obligation was $1.5 million.

Speculation: If completed, a $2-$4 billion VinFast campus might generate $12-$28 million yearly in property taxes. The city will get 20% of net tax revenue for extending water and sewer to the megasite, as per their deal with Chatham County. If completed as planned, Sanford’s yearly revenue could be $2.4 million to $5.6 million.

Other reasons for increasing property taxes mentioned during the June 23 budget workshop included new programs without long-term funding, like the agricultural marketplace and Buzzline with a dated grant, inflation and rapid growth requiring expanded public safety.

The 2026-27 budget fully funds the fire departments.

Downtown Police

Member Mark Akinosho introduced the council to the idea of a workshop to discuss how to address downtown policing needs, and after a discussion, the board agreed it was necessary.

Before today’s meeting officially began, Member Chris Petty supported reducing the property tax and removing funding for Downtown Sanford Incorporated (DSI) foot-patrolling police who wear Sanford police uniforms to save taxpayers $100,000.

However, after Mayor Pro-Temp Byron Buckels furthered his statement from Tuesday in support of eliminating the downtown police, when he said there were other areas in town that also needed police presence, and more, Petty changed his stance and sided with Buckels.

“I can’t support giving $100,000 to DSI,” Buckels said.

Walter Ferguson’s expressions changed from Tuesday’s workshop in the morning when he had grasped his forehead at Buckels’ prompt to omit the downtown police. Ferguson had said police presence was the first line of defense in public safety, in support of the downtown foot patrol. But after Buckels’ statements against the downtown police, in which he said three separate times it was “double-dipping,” Ferguson not only sided with Buckels but said he had introduced the idea.

After an investigation, Sandhills News learned Ferguson had introduced the topic after lunch on Tuesday.

Member Jean Dabb said to leave the DSI downtown police protection because “if something were to happen…”

Dabb also commented on the council’s procrastination and rushed attempt to pass a budget. “It’s all in the last minute, but we had two months…not responsible…should’ve been covered at the retreat [in March].”

Taylor agreed with Dabb, adding that the budget did not reflect the workshop. “Our job is being the best stewards of taxpayers’ dollars.”

Member Linda Rhodes said Sanford had risen in quality with its agricultural market, becoming a place for visitors. Rhodes is on the DSI committee.

Akinosho reminded the board that they already had Sanford police on patrol in cars. “DSI [downtown police] is extra.”

Taylor mentioned that Sanford’s police are paid overtime out of taxpayers’ wallets, when they work extra hours as DSI police. He said downtown needed fresh police, not those coming off a long workday or night.

“It’s not like we’re taking away from downtown. Need to cut back the extra. We are at a volatile time. Already have police presence downtown. It’s really double-dipping. That’s what it is,” Buckels said.

“If we make a change and it causes harm to anyone in this community, we may add it back. Situations change a lot. The library is no longer there for them [homeless] to hang out,” Taylor said.

View budget details here.

June 25, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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