[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6101839,"mediaKeyId","2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d","parentId",2806513,"title","Chesterfield presents $2.4 billion FY 2026 budget proposal; residents press for tax relief and affordable-housing investment","audioSeconds",867,"startMs",1050015,"endMs",1917905,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d&start=1050&end=1917","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d/thumbnail_1050015.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101839/Chesterfield-County/Virginia/Chesterfield-presents-24-billion-FY-2026-budget-proposal-residents-press-for-tax-relief-and-affordable-housing-investment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101839-61b50fe9c958531e0ac65da2a6a0afa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118057&Signature=Kk7X834A0P3YLDnGO89e-XjRKRIhGxR0wsYcMWCh7VdFY1HS2rsn~8QSWKbT6wK6XjfWHVOWdIY4xcv4kwd5zb1cKd2-s9yjoGM~N0EjGv--Jgw0lgnynaowF~OuV1b8~DMIyiGfQuM07NdsWh1VO6OZsDyqzW1FkoFn8UMss50002u3k21dCyeSgaa2hXmj6U~xCe6DKM1NBwxMiPmYBRgLdw0bvwFqqFPVc9KrXj48vNWM9y5DAiLQpAcJSHl9HZcms4k4xf5W7sbbHWXDESmRpOJ-ursXHO9XlTVwh1LNRaW-4C-e3~IV2duZjt5GeLkbxqq2uFq2GS7wo0HNkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chesterfield County, VA","date","2025-03-27T02:01:08Z","article","Chesterfield County staff presented a consolidated FY 2026 proposed budget totaling about $2.4 billion and answered public testimony that urged more tax relief and greater investment in affordable housing.

The consolidated proposal combines the school fund, general fund operating budget, public safety, parks and recreation, and a combined utilities operating and capital fund. County staff member Mr. Harris said the proposed consolidated total is \"dollars 2,400,000,000.0\" and that schools continue to be the largest focus of the county's spending.

Harris highlighted several budget features: an additional $5,000,000 for senior programs (staff indicated this is an added layer of funding), reductions targeted at small-business taxes, and a proposed 7% increase for first responders. Harris also said the county intends to incorporate the school division's requested items—including a 3% raise for teachers and operating costs tied to opening a new middle school—subject to state-level funding decisions that staff and the school superintendent are monitoring.

Members of the public used the hearing to press the board on tax relief and housing. Fred DeMay (Matoaka District) urged deeper tax cuts, saying Chesterfield has among the highest county tax rates in the region and warning that, despite a proposed 1¢ real-estate-rate reduction and a 5% June tax rebate proposal, assessment increases will still raise many taxpayers' bills. Gustavo Espinosa, a community organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, asked the county to increase investments in affordable housing and in manufactured-home repair and preservation, specifically citing residents' concerns at a manufactured-home community called Shady Hill in the Bermuda District. Dave Stritzinger and other residents criticized the county's outreach and asked for clearer engagement and responsiveness from finance staff.

Chairman Engle closed the consolidated series of public hearings, and staff said the board will continue working on the budget ahead of a planned adoption session on April 9. No budget votes were taken at the hearing; staff indicated the board may amend the proposed budget as final state funding answers and board direction are received.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FY2026 Proposed Budget Public Hearings - BOS Meeting - March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff presented a consolidated FY 2026 budget proposal totaling about $2.4 billion that includes additional senior program funding, a 7% pay increase for first responders and school-related items; public commenters urged deeper tax relief and increased investment in affordable and manufactured-home housing preservation.","taxTitle","Chesterfield County, Virginia","taxId",27598,"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},6101844,"Board hears FY26–30 CIP priorities: transportation, major maintenance, referendum projects",38,1010645,1048755,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d&start=1010&end=1048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d/thumbnail_1010645.jpg","/articles/6101844/Chesterfield-County/Virginia/Board-hears-FY2630-CIP-priorities-transportation-major-maintenance-referendum-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101844-6430f4c16abf7a8920c4a2098984ffb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118057&Signature=Vn6KEppwx3ut-bC5gmGaxRkpg-4mFAeUw4CawHI3GWYt4Htldjf~pja2BpubaP8Dk7lxuaQApTlFZLalR97Vx6cTLg9qCqP-5MCk2B~E2T1Jk3yyouHAQcDSb0ha61mojlb14R57vxl0-7ezi4vDWZ3EkKMpYzMfiF0Wa4F80z5rAas3b0vqsZkd3dEzOJL06C0jA6FZkPHD7j5YQOnCL4uHWWbH7~9TEC~3y1W~8Y89Ei~DGtXBIqrjNuZbJ5NGnROCrkNM~f-poX5QcceyTyl~O33y6pKvkwO6Hg2eDy~E~xFnnnmTBPUvWNFkvz3amVhq3AxQSJaglFVzu0Mc3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chesterfield County staff presented the proposed FY 2026–2030 capital improvement program, highlighting transportation, major maintenance and referendum projects as the largest spending categories; the public hearing closed with no testimony.

County staff member Mr. Harris summarized the CIP and said the three largest categories are transportation, major maintenance and referendum projects approved by voters in November 2022. Harris said the CIP contains nearly $188,000,000 in transportation funding over the five-year term and cited referendum projects totaling approximately $88,600,000.

Harris said the county has projects already underway and noted staff intentionally proposed taking a year off on some new CIP starts to provide breathing room given economic uncertainty; he also referenced initial work on community facilities such as tennis court rehabilitation planned in FY 2026 and a completed facility condition assessment to guide future major maintenance. No members of the public spoke on the CIP during the hearing and the board closed the item. The CIP proceeds through the county's budget adoption and capital funding process.","County staff outlined the FY 2026–2030 capital improvement program with primary investments in transportation (nearly $188M), major maintenance, and previously voter-approved referendum projects (about $88.6M); no public comment was recorded at the hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101848,"Project Homes endorses Chesterfield’s $2.4M CDBG and HOME plan at public hearing",117,878735,996070,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d&start=878&end=996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d/thumbnail_878735.jpg","/articles/6101848/Chesterfield-County/Virginia/Project-Homes-endorses-Chesterfields-24M-CDBG-and-HOME-plan-at-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101848-3d34bf97451496910880e3a0ec40bd47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118057&Signature=AzT84oUru-Hup-YYfcJ7arUU0HBU6M2r9vLFgTf4C9P3LCC6dxwKLICfWOxvHuqMjJ4B4tbOICFPUWZqEcdDn9eT-7-7QQEEHgTqEIO9coGLh7bta7zdOVfzf960pvQuv4FC-OKi6dtKaFHfD20gyGIgKk4E7CjUDujMHdfpDsL97evNMpk4Bc9EfCX5yRw1ey7lczTuwhiXcE--sqvLkola3Hrv9-Jl1tG9RNJ09D-fzl3j9ufr6ipa5EI-iqFF~vVWIObp0ATlibWSHuKewRRJvURDfbAKJ8f2q3T1HoE65wLY8sjaVkp4psBNvOiDf0ZsCaCQhE6vXwdoAbh9Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chesterfield County staff presented a proposed FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships annual plan totaling about $2.4 million; a local nonprofit told the board it supports the plan.

\"The proposed program totals about $2,400,000 and again, focuses majority of those resources in housing and home repair, programs,\" county staff member Mr. Harris told the board as he opened the public hearing on the plan.

Marion Cake, vice president at Project Homes, spoke in support of the CDBG and HOME proposed budget, saying Project Homes has a long partnership with Chesterfield County on affordable housing preservation and development. \"The staff of the Chesterfield County Department of Community Enhancement stand out in their efficiency and effectiveness and creativity. They are problem solvers and reliable partners, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them again,\" Cake said.

No other members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed. The plan will proceed through county adoption procedures and the federal grant application process for CDBG and HOME funds.","County staff presented the FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships plan totaling about $2.4 million; Project Homes praised county staff and voiced support for the proposed allocation focused on housing preservation and repair.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101853,"Board hears public concerns as staff proposes 1¢ real-estate tax-rate cut to $0.89",304,573140,877635,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d&start=573&end=877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d/thumbnail_573140.jpg","/articles/6101853/Chesterfield-County/Virginia/Board-hears-public-concerns-as-staff-proposes-1-real-estate-tax-rate-cut-to-089","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101853-b2b0648158c98f0fe159e840069edeb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118057&Signature=KF07Gb3XhaUunz0Lo7-mQc7OPghJ5kd6R~TFVXiLUdW0MGeOhgS3SvXsYOKZ5J8m3pNv7hqtQK~Plx10nAMka3~5b93ZmVY7bKl2F9~n7YynN-vUmsTy6ByJoulbEi7S5drui2CMvQ9pqI6dBsu2B~2qr9nH5IGOk08o6sx9vtss7zyWYP5nLaC8bcwDTamngbNYEKRxie7D7zVlgnqkR0LQFtY7nnFlBCaYSlWojsa59QoKgyIFqv54pa6VAV2ZFpeXsH0cAri3vtI9iwciNfMG1w6HsDPxwggjFQhHTv35XmD5xG88Sdrd3WzjWXa7eFlKM0GbWsMAmj0SmzT9~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chesterfield County staff told the Board of Supervisors the proposed tax-rate table for tax year 2025 would reduce the real estate rate by one cent, to $0.89 per $100 of assessed value, and that three smaller rates would \"float down\" with that change; members of the public urged further tax relief.

\"The only significant change to that table on an ongoing basis is [the] real estate rate,\" county staff member Mr. Harris told the board, noting the proposed one-cent reduction would be the fourth consecutive annual decrease.

Residents at the public hearing said assessment increases will likely push many taxpayers' bills higher even with the one-cent cut. Fred DeMay of the Matoaka District told the board Chesterfield has among the highest county tax rates in the region and calculated that, because average assessments rose about 5.1%, \"the effective tax rate increase will be approximately 4.4¢\" and that many taxpayers could face higher bills despite the nominal rate cut. John Kaslow, a Hopkins Road resident, said his Social Security increase of 2.7% does not match the rise in his tax bill and said he would need an effective tax rate near 82–83¢ per $100 \"to break even.\"

Staff also told the board there is no proposed change to the personal property tax rate; Harris reminded supervisors the county cut that rate by 25% last year. The public hearing on tax rates closed after two speakers; no vote was taken at the session. The tax-rate proposal remains part of the FY 2026 budget process and will be finalized through the board's adoption steps.","County staff introduced a proposal to lower the real estate tax rate by one cent to $0.89 per $100 of assessed value; residents said assessment increases will still raise many taxpayers' bills and urged deeper relief.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101858,"Chesterfield staff proposes 4.24% utility fee increase; public hearing closes with no speakers",565,7280,572680,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d&start=7&end=572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806513-453018fb2021c0ab3ab07890cec8fa4d/thumbnail_7280.jpg","/articles/6101858/Chesterfield-County/Virginia/Chesterfield-staff-proposes-424-utility-fee-increase-public-hearing-closes-with-no-speakers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101858-54651eb6921b7317c1d8afe91fd4eb30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118057&Signature=DRLyRlOAo-uz~A82WK-ZMPZyLknk5Q2ZBgm45dIgj3Y6pENwrxOYRnLGIrvFsrmGy3rZzF8cJf0gWF21CjOs~tqLvpGUMHVbGhz2uitokRQPprsjO0MqAQn3FzxEkYHqM6Tg1JkX4YTW5ypIHYBbylnHhhRU~xtDfLgTmvqCsenXhEqkrQYm-rCiquqPIYQ2o58X-IfWNnCVTYlLrbueySoRo2nAolAKhvN9w5rmiJcgRSvtgL6w5MKBKCG3uhovNz4XkDqGBBcvf4TqWS1dfj0lXeANvZqoh6ohnpzYR02am2eaDcC9yNTVTQpT9mJb-TKIDpB3jwcioPF30DCjIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chesterfield County staff presented a proposed 4.24% increase in utility system fees during a public hearing and received no public testimony.

The proposal, introduced by county staff member Mr. Harris at the Board of Supervisors meeting, would raise utility system fees by \"about 4.24%\" and is tied to funding for capital projects, including work related to a fourth water source, Harris said.

The proposal is part of a bundle of five public hearings the board scheduled on the FY 2026 budget and related plans. Harris told the board the utility capital improvement program includes funding for the water treatment work needed for a fourth water source, which staff described as \"vital to our continued water diversification efforts.\" No members of the public came forward to speak on the utility fee proposal, and Chairman Engle closed the hearing.

The public hearing record on this item contains only the staff presentation and the formal closure; no votes or formal board actions on the fee change were taken at the hearing. The fee proposal will remain subject to the board's budget and ordinance amendment process ahead of final adoption.","County staff presented a proposed 4.24% increase in Department of Utilities fees tied to utility capital needs including a fourth water source; the public hearing drew no speakers and was closed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chesterfield presents $2.4 billion FY 2026 budget proposal; residents press for tax relief and affordable-housing investment

Board hears FY26–30 CIP priorities: transportation, major maintenance, referendum projects

Project Homes endorses Chesterfield’s $2.4M CDBG and HOME plan at public hearing

Board hears public concerns as staff proposes 1¢ real-estate tax-rate cut to $0.89

Chesterfield staff proposes 4.24% utility fee increase; public hearing closes with no speakers