Finance committee outlines budget adjustments to address $708K deficit before public hearing

Rockbridge County's Board of Supervisors is gearing up for a crucial budget season, with a significant gap of $708,000 still to be addressed before the upcoming public hearing on April 28. During the meeting on March 31, officials outlined the current budget draft, which totals $64,091,878 in revenues and $64,800,587 in expenses, marking an increase from the previous fiscal year.

The finance committee has been actively working to narrow the budget gap, and the board is expected to receive a formal request to advertise the budget at their next meeting on April 14. The goal is to achieve a balanced budget by the time of adoption in May. However, any delays in this process could necessitate an extension of the tax due date, currently set for early June.

Key highlights from the proposed budget include a 3% raise for all employees and an additional 10% raise for fire and rescue personnel. The budget also allocates funds for various capital projects, including $3,088,244 for provisional projects and $560,000 for school buses. Notably, the personal property tax rates remain unchanged, while the real property tax rate is projected at 61 cents, reflecting increased valuations.

The board is also considering additional funding for broadband projects and courthouse security upgrades, emphasizing the need for community input as they work to close the budget gap. With the finance committee's recommendations and ongoing discussions, the board is poised to make critical decisions that will shape the county's financial landscape in the coming year.