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Board schedules March 26 budget workshop after FY26 presentation; supervisors press for school-capital details
Summary
Hanover County finance staff presented the proposed FY26 general fund and five-year CIP. Supervisors asked for more information about school replacement priorities and boundary adjustments and scheduled a March 26 workshop to continue budget deliberations.
Hanover County staff presented highlights of the proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund, revenue projections and the capital improvements program at the Board of Supervisors’ March 12 meeting, and supervisors directed staff to return for a focused budget workshop on March 26.
Shelley Wright, budget division director, told the board the FY26 general fund is proposed at $413.1 million, a 6.9% increase from the current year, driven largely by personnel costs and school funding. Wright said local revenue would total about $393.7 million in ongoing revenue and that state and federal sources represent roughly 11% of ongoing funding on average. She described expected increases in the school operating fund tied to merit increases, teacher pay scale adjustments and health insurance, and noted capital spending to cover debt service and prior commitments.
Wright also presented the proposed five-year capital improvements program (CIP), which includes significant roadway projects partly funded by Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) receipts, investments in parks and restrooms, continued funding for planned school replacements and an East Side taxiway project at the airport. She said about 84% of anticipated revenue for airport capital projects could come from federal sources.
After the presentation, several supervisors asked for more time to review the plan and directed staff to prepare for a March 26 work session focused on school capital planning and related boundary adjustments. Supervisor Floyd specifically asked how the order of school replacements was determined and sought greater clarity on capacity figures and timing. Supervisor Davis requested staff and school-division representatives be prepared for a deeper workshop discussion; several members also urged a possible tour of Mechanicsville Elementary School to better understand facility conditions cited in planning documents.
Why it matters: The county’s budget and CIP determine funding for schools, public safety buildings, roads and other county services. Supervisors sought answers about school capacity figures, the sequencing of school replacements (including a Mechanicsville Elementary replacement noted in the plan) and how boundary adjustments might affect student assignments and timelines.
Next steps: The board kept a budget work session on its calendar for 2 p.m. March 26 and asked the superintendent and school staff to be ready to participate. The board will hold a public hearing on April 2 and aim to adopt the budget on April 9.
