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Public split at Montgomery County hearing over 1¢ property tax to close school budget gap
Summary
At public hearings April 10, residents and educators sharply divided over a proposed 1¢ increase in the property tax rate (to 0.76 per $100) to help close shortfalls in the advertised FY 2025‑26 Montgomery County Public Schools budget; the Board did not vote on the tax rate and set a final vote for April 21.
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — On Thursday, April 10, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held public hearings on the advertised property tax rate (advertised at $0.76 per $100 of assessed value) and the county’s advertised fiscal year 2025‑26 budget of $270,810,181, drawing sharply divided public comment about a proposed 1‑cent increase intended to support Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
Supporters told supervisors the 1¢ increase is a modest way to shore up teacher pay, special‑education staffing and student services. Opponents said the county should find cuts before raising taxes, and warned the increase would hurt seniors and households on fixed incomes.
Montgomery County resident and parent Anna Vijayan said the increase would offset a projected $2,750,000 shortfall if the board declines to raise the rate; she told the board that even if supervisors approve the 1¢ increase, she understands the district would still face a roughly $1,500,000 gap. “Please approve this 1¢ tax increase so…
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