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Hanover board adopts FY26 budget, new tax rates and approves $1,200 bonuses for full‑time county employees
Summary
On April 11 the Board of Supervisors adopted the county administrator's FY26 budget and related ordinances and tax rates, approved a set of employee bonuses funded from FY25 savings and added three paid holidays for calendar year 2026. The board approved multiple budget motions by voice vote; speakers emphasized public safety and
The Hanover County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and associated ordinances, tax rates and financial plans on April 11 and separately approved one‑time employee payments and additional paid holidays.
What the board approved
During the afternoon meeting the board adopted the county administrator's proposed FY26 budget (presented February 19 and amended April 9), appropriated funds by fund category, and approved the five‑year capital improvement program and the five‑year general fund financial plan. In a separate motion the board adopted a resolution declaring intent to reimburse certain expenditures up to $60 million.
Tax rates and fees
The board approved the property tax and fee schedule for calendar year 2025 as presented in the motions: the real estate rate of 0.81 per $100 of assessed value and a personal property tax rate of 3.57 per $100 of assessed value, among other classifications and special service district charges. The board also adopted several other orders and ordinances tied to the budget, including solid waste disposal fee adjustments, erosion‑and‑sediment control fee changes (Ordinance 25‑03) and water and sewer capacity and user fee changes (Order 25‑04).
Employee bonuses and additional holidays
Vice Chair Davis moved — and the board approved — a directive that county administration issue one‑time bonuses funded from FY25 savings: $1,200 for full‑time eligible employees and $600 for part‑time eligible employees. The board approved the motion by voice vote. Davis also moved and the board approved three additional paid holidays to be added to the county operating schedule in calendar year 2026: the day before Thanksgiving, the day after Christmas Day and the day after New Year's Day. The board asked the administrator to include additional holiday adjustments in future January scheduling as appropriate.
Why the board said it passed the budget
Board members stressed public safety, teacher pay and employee retention during the discussion. Vice Chair Davis emphasized balancing fiscal responsibility with workforce competitiveness and noted the board had previously returned one‑time rebates and made targeted tax changes in recent years. Chairman Herzberg said public safety remains the board's top priority and pointed to investments in school resource deputies and career‑technical education as central elements of the FY26 spending plan. County Administrator John Badescu and Finance/Budget staff presented the budget details during the meeting; Shelley Wright, budget division manager, guided board members through the required motions.
Procedural notes and voting
Board members moved through a set of budget motions individually as required by state law and local ordinance (adopt budget, appropriate funds by fund, set tax rates, adopt CIP, adopt the five‑year general fund plan, reimbursement resolution, and adopt fee/ordinance changes). Each motion was seconded and carried on voice votes; no recorded roll‑call 'no' votes were taken on the motions during the public meeting.
Ending
Board members and county administrators said they will continue committee‑level review of specific line items and capital projects as the county begins implementing the FY26 budget. Supervisors also directed staff to manage and communicate the approved employee bonus program and the new holiday schedule.
