Orange County tops area tax rate

99.8 cents is state's 2nd-highest rate and nearly twice Wake's

Orange County now has the second-highest property tax rate in the state, and it's nearly double Wake's.

Orange tops the Triangle at 99.8 cents per $100 assessed property value. After revaluation, Durham's rate is 70.81 cents, and Wake's is 53.4 cents. Johnston County's rate is unchanged from last year at 78 cents.

Those figures don't include municipal taxes, fire district taxes or special school district taxes.

Last year Orange had the third-highest rate, but this year it jumped past Gates County for the dubious distinction of being No. 2.

Six counties lowered taxes, including Scotland County, which has the state's highest rate at $1.02. Scotland's rate last year was $1.06.

Statewide, 25 counties raised tax rates in their new budgets, according to a report this week by the the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. That's the fewest increases since 1998-1999, the association said.

"It's an election year, and nobody wants to raise taxes in an election year if they can avoid it," said Todd McGee, the association's communications director.

Counties tightened belts because taxpayers face rising gas prices and other economic woes, he said. The state's taking over Medicaid payments from counties probably took some pressure off, he said. Under the Medicaid swap, the state is assuming the counties' share of payments in exchange for some sales tax revenues.

Area county property tax rates (per $100 valuation):

ALAMANCE: 58 cents, no increase.

CHATHAM: 65.3 cents, an increase of 3.6 cents.

DURHAM: 70.81 cents after revaluation. Last year's rate was 83.4 cents.

FRANKLIN: 82.25 cents, no increase.

GRAHAM: 60 cents, a half-cent decrease.

GRANVILLE: 75.5 cents, no increase.

HARNETT: 73.5 cents, no increase.

JOHNSTON: 78 cents, no increase.

ORANGE: 99.8 cents, an increase of 4.8 cents.

WAKE: 53.4 cents after revaluation. Last year's rate was 67.8 cents.

For a complete list, go to www.ncacc.org/taxrates09.html.