Fiscal Responsibility with Proven Experience: My Commitment to Oak Ridge
- Adrian Eckenrod
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
When we talk about taxes in Oak Ridge, the conversation shouldn’t be about slogans — it should be about results.
I’ve spent over two decades managing budgets for non‑profits, small businesses, and large organizations with budgets exceeding that of our town. I know what it takes to plan 5–10 years into the future, how to optimize systems, and deliver better services while keeping costs down.
📊 Understanding Where Your Tax Dollars Go
Property taxes are just one piece of Oak Ridge’s revenue picture — but they’re the part most residents feel directly.
The Oak Ridge portion of a $500,000 home’s property tax bill is about $400 a year. As the August financial statements show, that’s only 8–8.5% of your total property tax bill, yet it funds:
Two signature parks that define Oak Ridge's character and charm
Vibrant dog park offering space for dogs to play and exercise
Year-round park maintenance, landscaping, and facility repairs
Park lighting, security, and free Wi-Fi across the entire parks
Well-kept public restrooms
Funding for ORYA programs and youth athletics
Extensive trails and sidewalks connecting our community and parks
Community events such as Light Up the Night, Canine Capers, Heritage Day, and Music in the Park
📈 What the August Financials Tell Us
With two months of the fiscal year now on record:
Property taxes remain the largest revenue source (~50%), meaning decisions here have a direct impact on budget stability.
County sales tax receipts (~17%), utility and related taxes (~12.5%), and ABC store revenues (~9.5%) continue to be significant contributors — areas where operational efficiency can stretch dollars further.
Park rentals (~6%) and other smaller sources (~5%) show that non‑tax revenue plays a role, and can be grown with smart planning.
Early spending trends should align with long‑term priorities — this is where 5–10 year future budget forecasting ensures we meet needs without sudden tax spikes.
📅 Looking Ahead: 2026 County Property Revaluation
In January 2026, Guilford County will update property values. Current projections show an average increase of around 48%, with many homes closer to 50%.
Higher values don’t automatically mean higher tax bills — local governments can lower rates to offset the change. But in 2022, Guilford kept the same rate after a 25% increase, which meant larger bills for many residents.
That’s why planning ahead matters. My approach uses 5–10 year future budget forecasting to anticipate changes like this, so we can:
Protect residents from unnecessary tax burdens
Keep Oak Ridge financially stable
Ensure every dollar is tied to clear community benefits
🛠 My Approach: Planning, Efficiency, and Value
I don’t make blanket promises about cutting or holding taxes — I make commitments to:
1. 5–10 year future budget forecasting – Anticipating needs well ahead of time so we can plan responsibly and avoid sudden tax hikes.
2. System and workflow optimization – Streamlining processes to improve services and reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
3. Data‑driven decision making – Every dollar should deliver measurable value to residents.
4. Community‑led review – Partnering with our citizen finance committee and listening to resident feedback before making tax decisions.
📌 My Commitment to You
When the time comes to set our tax rate, I will:
Be transparent about the impact on your bill
Show exactly how the revenue will be used
Apply my decades of budgeting and operational experience to keep Oak Ridge financially stable and efficient
Oak Ridge deserves leadership that combines honesty with proven expertise.
I’ve built my career on delivering results — and I’m ready to put that experience to work for our town.
Comments