WAKE COUNTY, N.C. -- Wake County property owners can expect a tax hike as commissioners approve a $1.47 billion budget.

• The vote will cause an almost seven cent hike.
• $45 million of increased appropriation will go to the school system. Other property tax money will go to voter approved bonds and operating costs for the county.
• Commissioner Sig Hutchinson was the only board member to vote against the budget.

The vote will cause an almost seven cent hike.

“Taxes, taxes, taxes. I am tired of paying so much taxes and I’m totally against paying increased taxes on my property,” said resident Curtis Leary.

“As a taxpayer I would like to have more transparency. They have raised our taxes year after year after year for five consecutive years, well where does the tax money go?” asked Emanuela Prister, a Cary resident.

$45 million of increased appropriation will go to the school system. Other property tax money will go to voter approved bonds and operating costs for the county.

While many were on different sides of the argument, county commissioners got the final say.

“I am incredibly cognizant of the tax rate and quite frankly as a single woman who works for a living I struggle with the tax rate as many of you do. I get that money doesn’t grow on trees because there are no money trees in my back yard. But that said I’m very proud of the budget we’re putting forth,” said Commissioner Jessica Holmes.

Commissioner Sig Hutchinson was the only board member to vote against the budget.