[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6287953,"mediaKeyId","2545614-53878d0fb023b13b3cb2e0c781029db9","parentId",2545614,"title","Rockbridge County presents FY 2026 draft budget; board approves bills and routine items","audioSeconds",314,"startMs",450000,"endMs",764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2545614-53878d0fb023b13b3cb2e0c781029db9&start=450&end=764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2545614-53878d0fb023b13b3cb2e0c781029db9/thumbnail_450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287953/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Rockbridge-County-presents-FY-2026-draft-budget-board-approves-bills-and-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287953-ebb061b82ce4d217d3ef94505289daf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159295&Signature=lS0bNkZSXMop7dKcDk5zKa8xkO22wsEwCG2Z3AWAhbC9YrMt~wx7UVskFYg~qrxs-3zslgWiSuN9xWSEiep67HDKvVIYZg99pqNFjXEMd9Yu~BLsasUpfAuVwPjfZR~bemW5IMsKIuhhfr00PIsGc~yqJE5ubjMkEUR-p3lgXUqNlA1IG~1ngB6wSHd0ejp52cIuf4Vo9cF~sKHsbHI8q1zykSIG8i299pRraLRhxzs50FKCTIW0kQh724c54xuuicHRmaqtyEBeYwImaDu3dlqUmWtzkHFMX~Cni6dKFpoz19rVEatcKj9AJWB2DolR9iAhLiTVwYLpePTjpLzL3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockbridge County, VA","date","2025-03-11T10:09:47Z","article","County staff presented the first draft of Rockbridge County's fiscal year 2026 budget at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 10, saying the draft shows total revenues of $63,707,213 and proposed expenses of $64,606,516.

Finance staff emphasized that the draft includes $3,862,697 for capital projects and noted several near-term capital requests: four school buses ($560,000), $40,000 to expand the fleet services parking lot, about $34,282 for library restroom and catalog upgrades at the Lexington branch, and $231,274 for central dispatch capital needs. The presenter said the draft keeps the real property tax rate unchanged and retains current personal property assessments (examples cited: $425 for vehicles and $425 for other personal property). \"Total revenues amount to $63,707,213; expenditures $64,606,516,\" the presenter said.

Why it matters: the draft sets out options to close a budget gap, fund capital projects and absorb personnel cost changes including a 3% across-the-board raise and a proposed additional 10% raise for fire and rescue personnel; the board must decide whether to alter rates, use reserves, or reduce expenditures in coming meetings.

Other points raised in the presentation included:
- Implementation of a new Tyler municipal software system will create an overlap in systems this year and next, delaying full-year savings until the transition is complete.
- Sales and meals tax estimates are flat; lodging taxes are projected lower based on current trends.
- A contribution of about $239,000 was proposed for new debt service on a social services building; revenue sharing with the City of Lexington was shown as up about $202,425 based on FY 2024 audited numbers.
- The presenter provided an updated estimate for the school division local funding need of $17,284,708 based on a 3% raise assumption; the board scheduled a joint meeting with the school board for March 20.

Board discussion focused on narrowing the budget gap and reviewing department-level requests. Finance committee meetings were scheduled to continue work on closing the gap.

Votes at a glance: several routine and fiscal items were approved by roll call during the meeting.

- Resolution authorizing additional appropriations and payment of bills (total bills presented $924,763.42). Additional appropriations included $500 from the Circuit Court Clerk Technology Trust Fund and $101,716 for tax refunds from pending court settlements. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Supervisor Lyons Yes; Supervisor Day Yes; Supervisor McDaniel Yes; Supervisor Lewis Yes; Chair Ayers Yes.

- Approval of the January 30 interjurisdictional meeting minutes. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Lyons Yes; Day Yes; McDaniel Yes; Lewis Yes; Ayers Yes.

- Approval of the February 24 work session and regular meeting minutes. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Lyons Yes; McDaniel Yes; Lyons (duplicate in transcript acknowledged) Yes; Day Yes; Lewis Yes; Ayers Yes.

- Reappointment of Boyd Brown and Stacy Stevens to the Economic Development Authority. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Lyons Yes; Day Yes; McDaniel Yes; Lewis Yes; Ayers Yes.

- Motion to accept monthly staff reports. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Lyons Yes; McDaniel Yes; Day Yes; Lewis Yes; Ayers Yes.

No contested motions or failed votes were recorded on the items presented.

Next steps: finance staff and the finance committee will continue to pursue options to close the draft budget gap; the board expects further committee meetings this week and a joint meeting with the school board on March 20 to refine school funding requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County staff presented a first draft of the FY 2026 budget showing revenues of $63,707,213 and proposed expenses of $64,606,516; the board approved a resolution to pay bills totaling $924,763.42 and passed a set of routine motions including minutes approvals and reappointments to the Economic Development Authority.","taxTitle","Rockbridge County, Virginia","taxId",38117,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287957,"Resident urges Rockbridge County to reconsider \"fence-out\" livestock rule",1690,155000,1845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2545614-53878d0fb023b13b3cb2e0c781029db9&start=155&end=1845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2545614-53878d0fb023b13b3cb2e0c781029db9/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6287957/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Resident-urges-Rockbridge-County-to-reconsider-fence-out-livestock-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287957-c99f50f6a3c1c9fb12e5867fef22be75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159295&Signature=LgaJOzk59BApwiIt59zV-JrMWMTnjeb4nwX7KCv7hJ5uy0rRMK5UhGitCgizK7FzCbLaP8lnV7cg-5Kqi3FcLpkI50S9PNBrxQwoujqNsP-VIm30q-c2j7Q4iEJdL2inMP9ke1y05orJfwX~TrSTS3I8lFSCOt6WJqX5xqF9J75zUFamxVqqJiZuytdAQL-YP~MXrx3H6ZrFER6QEyitqBqQcndIzUQ5VrRCYREBTy1AGRuX-KmZoIEYSrronkQzFdKWEmDqA58J4ZFUaLTVNgQ4spgtv9sGAg19WU92ZZgUGkUPsjtQjKPPE1p5ZajR04hwOpGoGqs4Acu26Smp8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anne Russick of the Buffalo magisterial district told the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on March 10 that recurring livestock breakouts on to her property have caused property damage and safety concerns and urged the board to consider abandoning the county's current \"fence-out\" ordinance.

Russick told the board she and her husband have kept horses on a 30-acre parcel for 30 years and described an incident on March 6 when about 12 to 15 Angus cattle wandered onto her driveway, entered an open hay shed and damaged equipment and feed. \"Because of the fence out ordinance, there is no time frame that obligates an owner to retrieve his animals,\" Russick said. She said a deputy contacted the owner, who told the sheriff's office he would not retrieve the animals until the next day, and the cattle moved off her property of their own accord more than 12 hours after first entering it.

Why it matters: the county's fence-out policy assigns responsibility for fencing to landowners who want to keep others' animals off their property. Residents who oppose that approach say it leaves property owners exposed to repeated damage and provides little immediate recourse against animal owners who do not promptly retrieve roaming livestock.

Board reaction and follow-up: Chair Ayers acknowledged Russick's concerns and asked staff to review how neighboring jurisdictions handle livestock trespass. \"I would like to take a minute on Miss Russick's comment ... ask that we do a little bit of look on what Augusta and Rockingham County are doing,\" Ayers said, directing staff to collect information.

A county staff member summarized options available under state law without citing a specific code section, saying that some localities adopt an ordinance treating property lines as lawful fences (commonly called a \"fence-in\" ordinance). Under that approach, the staff member explained, owners could impound animals that cross a lawful fence and pursue damages or a court lien for fence repair costs. The staff member cautioned that the process is \"not simple\" and may require court action to recover costs.

Board members asked staff to prepare more information and consult local stakeholders. One supervisor suggested reaching out to the Farm Bureau for guidance; another board member offered to provide a memo outlining what Augusta and Rockingham counties have adopted. No formal vote or ordinance change was proposed or adopted at the meeting.

Next steps: The board directed staff to gather written information and legal options about switching from a fence-out to a fence-in approach, consult local agricultural stakeholders, and return to the board at a future meeting. Russick said she was willing to answer questions and provided firsthand detail to inform the research.","At the March 10 Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors meeting, a resident described repeated livestock trespass and urged the board to research switching from a \"fence-out\" policy to a \"fence-in\" ordinance like Augusta and Rockingham counties; the board asked staff to gather information but took no formal vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Rockbridge County presents FY 2026 draft budget; board approves bills and routine items

Resident urges Rockbridge County to reconsider "fence-out" livestock rule