Finance Department

Frequently Asked Questions

FISCAL YEAR
What is the fiscal year?
The fiscal year for Catawba County is July 1 to June 30. This annual financial year is distinct from a calendar year and is mandated by the State of North Carolina.


Is the County audited?
State law requires the financial records of Catawba County be audited each year by an independent auditing firm. The opinion letter from this firm is included in the County’s annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The CAFR can be viewed at the County’s website at http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/finance/CAFR.asp and additional copies are available at the Finance Department and local libraries.


PROPERTY TAX
What is the County tax rate?
How does this rate compare to other counties in North Carolina?
For the year beginning July 1, 2008 the current tax rate is 53.5 cents per $100 property valuation. This rate is the 7th lowest of urban counties (population over 100,000) and 28th lowest of all 100 counties in North Carolina.


Where do my tax dollars go?
The largest use of local County funds is for Education, currently 49% of property and sales taxes. Other uses of revenue are for Human Services (20%), Public Safety (19%), Economic and Physical Development (6%), Other (6%).


How do I pay my taxes?
Tax payments can be made by mail, telephone, online, or in person at the Government Center. More information can be found at the website of our tax department http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/tax/ or call 828-465-8414.


REVENUE
What are the major revenue sources for the County?

Property taxes comprise 40% and local sales taxes comprise 19% of total County revenues. For more information about County revenues and expenditures, we suggest viewing the County’s budget document at http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/budget/
or the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report at http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/finance/CAFR.asp

How are the County’s funds invested?
Under the authority of North Carolina General Statute 159-30, the County invests in approved instruments only, mainly obligations of the United States Government. The objectives of the County’s investment program are safety, liquidity, and yield, in that order. Investment vehicles are chosen with the greatest emphasis on credit quality and maturity.


DEBT
What is the current County debt?
What are the uses of the debt proceeds?
As of June 30, 2008 the total outstanding debt for Catawba County was approximately $121 million. Of this amount, 81% was borrowed for Education, generally new school construction or renovation, and new technology. The funds borrowed for a new detention facility are 12% of the outstanding debt.


What is the County’s bond rating?
Moody’s Investor Service rates the County’s bond obligations as Aa2 for the 27th consecutive year. Standard and Poor’s Corporation rates the County’s obligations as AA for the 4th consecutive year.


BILLING
Who do I contact about my ambulance bill?
Catawba County contracts with EMS Management for ambulance billing. Most questions can be answered by contacting EMS Management at 1-800-814-5339 or online at http://www.emsbilling.us/. For all other questions, contact our billing department at 828-465-8277.


How do I set up a landfill or other billing account?
Do you accept credit card payments?
Contact our billing department representative at 828-465-8277 to set up an account. The Finance department currently does not accept credit card payments, although this is planned for the future.


OTHER
Does the Finance department offer mortgage or automobile loans?
No. This is not a function of this department. Contact your local bank or credit union for more information.