Governor Signs Property Tax Bill; Johnston County Homeowners Won’t See Changes

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Josh Stein signed legislation into law Friday aimed at providing property tax relief in several North Carolina counties, but the measure is not expected to affect Johnston County homeowners.

Senate Bill 889 temporarily delays the use of newly completed property revaluations in certain counties when calculating 2026 property tax bills. Supporters say the legislation will provide relief to homeowners facing significant increases in property values, while critics argue it could create budget challenges for local governments and school systems.

“The cost of living is too high,” Stein said in a statement after signing the bill. “This law provides tax relief for North Carolinians who are feeling pain in their pocketbooks.”

Johnston County taxpayers, however, have already experienced the effects of a recent property revaluation.

The county completed its most recent countywide revaluation effective Jan. 1, 2025, the first revaluation since 2019. The reassessment resulted in real property values increasing an average of 70.6 percent countywide, reflecting the rapid growth and rising real estate market that has transformed Johnston County in recent years.

The dramatic increase prompted concerns from many homeowners when new values were mailed in late 2024. During public meetings, some residents reported property value increases of more than 200 percent compared to their previous assessments.

Because Johnston County’s revaluation has already been completed and implemented, Senate Bill 889 will have little direct impact locally.

Instead, the law primarily affects counties that recently completed revaluations that were scheduled to be used for 2026 tax bills. Neighboring Harnett County is among the jurisdictions expected to be affected by the legislation.

Stein said while he signed the bill, he believes broader efforts are needed to address affordability concerns facing North Carolina families.

“We must make life more affordable, which is why I’m pushing to cut taxes for working and middle class families and lower housing, electricity, child care, and health care costs,” the governor said.

The legislation comes amid ongoing debates across North Carolina over rapidly increasing property values and the impact those increases can have on homeowners, particularly those living on fixed incomes.

Supporters of the bill argued that delaying implementation of new property values gives taxpayers additional time before potentially higher tax bills take effect.

Opponents, including some county officials around the state, warned that delaying revaluations could affect local government revenues used to fund schools, public safety agencies and other public services.

Stein also expressed concern about the bill’s potential impact on communities in western North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

“I am concerned about this law’s impact on Hurricane Helene recovery in Buncombe County,” Stein said. “Senate Bill 474 would shield Buncombe County and other jurisdictions recovering from the storm, and I urge the Senate to pass it.”

While Senate Bill 889 has become law, Johnston County residents are unlikely to notice any direct effects. Local property owners are already paying taxes based on the county’s 2025 revaluation, which produced one of the largest countywide increases in property values in Johnston County history.