As Stanly County Manager Andy Lucas presented the annual proposed county budget to the Stanly County Commissioners Monday night, he mentioned that for the 13th consecutive year, the tax rate is projected to remain at 67 cents per $100 valuation.

“One of our advantages we have right now over other counties in our region is the fact that our tax rate and our tax burden is relatively low,” Lucas said.

A 2018-2019 property tax rate map of all 100 counties in the state, compiled by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, illustrates Lucas’ claim.

Stanly’s 67 cent tax rate for 2018-2019 is lower than the tax rate of many nearby counties, including Mecklenburg (82 cents), Cabarrus (72), Union (73), Anson (78) and Richmond (83) counties.

Only Rowan (66 cents), Davidson (54) and Montgomery (62) have a lower tax rate.

While Stanly’s tax rate has remained the same, that’s not the case with some of its neighbors. Cabarrus’ tax rate increased from 70 cents to 72 cents from 2017-2018 to 2018-2019. Mecklenburg and Richmond also increased taxes. Montgomery, Davidson and Rowan maintained the same tax rate.

Stanly’s tax rate doesn’t compare favorably, however, to its four peer counties (ones with similar demographics) in the state: Carteret has the lowest tax rate in N.C. (31 cents) while Moore has the eighth lowest (46.5); Chatham (63) and Haywood (58.5) also have lower tax rates than Stanly.

When compared to the 100 counties in N.C., Stanly’s tax rate is average.

Under the tax rate map, 26 counties — including Stanly — fall into the tax rate ranging from 65.25 cents to 74.5 cents.

Forty-five counties have a lower tax rate, two other counties (Nash and Wilkes) have the same tax rate and 52 counties have a higher tax rate. Scotland has the highest tax rate at $1.