County Meeting: Commissioners accept budget 5-2
The Vance County Board of County Commissioners approved its budget amidst discussions about future revenue and data center development. Some residents and commissioners raised concerns about data centers, with one commissioner proposing research into a construction moratorium after an anti-data center protest.
The Vance County Board of County Commissioners recently approved its $72 million fiscal year 2026-27 budget with a 5-2 vote. During the discussion, District 4 Commissioner Dan Brummitt voted against the budget, arguing it failed to adequately reduce government costs and warned of future tax increases. He highlighted that a data center, touted as an economic solution for Vance County, is still five years away, necessitating immediate spending cuts.
Public comment at the meeting heavily focused on data centers. Residents voiced fears about the potential impacts on the area and criticized county leaders for a perceived lack of transparency. One speaker explicitly urged the board to impose a moratorium on data center construction. Following this, District 2 Commissioner Valencia Perry, who had attended a recent anti-data center protest, requested the board research the possibility of a moratorium, a suggestion County Manager Renee Perry recommended for further discussion at an upcoming work session.