Harnett County Commissioners delay budget amendment, soar forward on Jetport expansions

On July 6, Harnett commissioners delayed a budget amendment pending Senate Bill 474, approved $7.47 million for Jetport improvements, and addressed property tax concerns, water conservation, and public comments.

The board delayed amending the 2026-27 Budget Ordinance because the bill capable of altering the property tax rate had not yet been signed. Senate Bill 474 awaits the governor’s signature. Until then, citizens may apply for reevaluation on their property appraisals.

The board approved the $7,470,000 project bid for asphalt paving with the runway expansion to Fred Smith Company for the Jetport. It will use one million from the county’s capital funds to complete the project. There are no matching funds required. The project will take about a year and may begin in the fall, with hangar construction beginning in two years.

The board approved the $500,000 Golden Leaf Grant for the Jetport’s corporate center. It is a non-matching grant.

The Jetport’s corporate project manufacturer will be hiring employes, according to Jetport Director Bradley Abate, who said he heard the news this weekend. There is no contract in place, but the manufacturer is already advertising jobs, and the county cannot release the name of the manufacturer until the contract is signed.

The board honored Harnett Veteran Hero Captain William B. Byrd Jr.

During public comments, Mr. Longman stated lawyers were preparing legal action against the Harnett County Board of Elections.

Another speaker expressed concern about the county reclassifying mobile homes as real property, resulting in higher property taxes; however, the state has not allowed counties that power. Mobile homes are listed as real property only when the land and the home are owned by the same person, it rests on a permanent foundation, and the hitch, wheels, and axles are removed. Harnett reassessed all property and allowed owners to apply for reevaluations.

County Manager Brent Trout said water shortages placed the county in stage 1 voluntary conservation, with alternating outdoor water use, due to other counties also using water from Jordan Lake.

The next meeting is July 14 at 9 a.m.

July 6, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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