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Supervisors set public hearings on FY26 CIP and VPSA debt after narrow vote to advertise county administrator's budget
Summary
The board voted to advertise public hearings for the fiscal-year 2026 capital plan, VPSA school debt and the county's proposed budget after a substitute motion passed 4—3; the decision sets dates for public comment and triggers detailed hearings on tax rates.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted March 18 to advertise public hearings for the county administrator's proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget, the 10-year capital improvement program and potential Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) bond issuance after a substitute motion passed 4—3.
Andrea Light, the county's chief financial officer, told the board that advertising the hearings does not bind the board to adopt a tax rate higher than advertised; it only sets the maximum that can be adopted without re-advertisement. Light presented the administrator's budget materials, including a proposed 5-cent increase in the real-estate tax rate in the initial staff package and a VPSA bond scenario staff said could cost roughly $11.7 million in additional debt service if $180 million in bonds were issued.
The substitute motion that passed instructed staff to advertise the county administrator's package rather than simply advertising the current real-estate rate; the substitute passed 4—3. After that substitute passed, the board voted to advertise the remaining R25-29 package (CIP, VPSA public hearings and related documents) and to post the budget materials for public review. Light said the public hearing schedule and the FY26 CIP documentation would be posted to the county website and that the VPSA hearing does not commit the county to issue the full amount listed in the advertisement.
Residents urged caution. More than a dozen citizens spoke at the meeting's public comment period. Topics ranged from requests to hold the real-estate tax rate flat for seniors and residents on fixed incomes to calls for a line-by-line review of school spending before any tax increase. Several speakers asked the board to seek budget efficiencies rather than higher taxes; others urged full funding for public schools.
What's next: Staff will publish the notices for the advertised public hearings and post the proposed FY26 CIP and VPSA information on the county website. The board scheduled subsequent hearings for late March and April for citizen comment, including a March 25 budget hearing and an April 15 hearing on the CIP and related items.
Key details - Advertising does not obligate the board to adopt the advertised maximum tax rate; the board may adopt a lower rate at final vote. - Staff estimated that a $180 million VPSA issuance could add about $11.7 million in debt service in an outer fiscal year. - The board relied on a substitute motion to advertise the county administrator's proposed package; that substitute passed 4—3.
A wide public turnout is likely for the hearings; the board and staff said they will publish guidance and a packet of materials ahead of the hearings so residents can review line-item details.
