Harnett County cuts property tax to 63¢ and seeks traffic solutions

Harnett County Commissioners amended the 2026-27 budget after Senate Bill 474 was signed last week to allow them to use the 2026 property tax rates. The board approved a property tax rate of .63¢, instead of the previous .75¢.

Chairman Duncan Jaggers said he was working with the finance department to research ways for seniors to stay in their homes.

During a transportation discussion, Commissioner McKoy said traffic from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. was congested as people tried to commute to other areas. “We’re all going to be prisoners of our own homesites. It’s getting completely out of control,” McKoy said about traveling through Lillington.

County Manager Brent Trout said the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) was talking about a major improvement along the North Carolina Highway 87 corridor.

Commissioner Matt Nicols requested quarterly NCDOT updates and presentations.

McKoy said economic development growth, stagnant for decades, required NCDOT’s investment.

Harnett County Economic Development has 39 active projects, and seven have been shortlisted due to Harnett County’s work to earn grants and investments over $271 million.

Economic Development Director Stephen Barrington presented updates. The county has 269 acres with six available sites. It is working on five sites totaling 481 acres and has seven unique properties.

The organization had 60 submissions out of 142 inquiries. The main reasons interested investors did not submit applications were the availability of buildings and sites, power and sewer.

They have another 500-acre site with (unknown) owners who allow marketing, but Barrington did not reveal the location.

Commissioners allocated $1,088,744 of taxpayers’ funds to Economic Development in the Harnett County Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Ordinance. Still, much of the business the organization conducts with taxpayers’ funds is not released for review because it organized itself as a private nonprofit.

During commissioners’ comments, McKoy said she was glad to see them [commissioners] work together for the people.

The board presented the Harnett County Heroes Remembrance to Staff Sergeant William E. Gaschler.

The next meeting is July 20 at 6 p.m.

July 14, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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