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Poquoson council adopts FY2026 budget; tax rates unchanged, schools top allocation
Summary
Poquoson City Council adopted the FY2026 annual financial plan and three ordinances establishing tax rates and appropriations. The budget keeps tax rates unchanged and lists the school system and public safety as the largest allocations.
Poquoson City Council voted unanimously to adopt the fiscal year 2026 annual financial plan and enacted three ordinances establishing tax rates and appropriating funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
The council approved an ordinance establishing the real estate tax rate and an ordinance establishing personal property tax levies, followed by an ordinance appropriating funds for FY2026. The measures passed on separate motions and votes; each motion carried by a 7-0 tally.
Mayor Hooks summarized the adopted budget and highlighted the largest allocations. “Our largest budget items are contributions to Poquoson City Public Schools,” the mayor said, citing $12,588,038 in school funding that includes an extra $600,000 the council approved at the schools’ request. He said public safety is the city’s second‑largest outlay at $11,961,743. Mayor Hooks emphasized the council’s continued prioritization of schools and public safety and thanked staff for their work on the budget.
The mayor and staff noted the tax rates remained unchanged between FY2025 and FY2026. Council members commended city finance staff for consistent audit results and a state award for financial reporting; staff cited ongoing clean audit findings and recognition for reporting quality.
The ordinances enacted include: an ordinance establishing the tax rate for real estate, an ordinance establishing the tax rate for personal property and specified categories (as presented to council), and an ordinance appropriating funds to the city’s governmental funds for FY2026. The council did not amend the presented rates and approved the appropriations as presented.
Council directed staff to continue monitoring budget execution and recognized department heads and the superintendent’s finance staff for their contributions to the adopted plan.
