Dinwiddie supervisors hear proposed FY2026 budget, plan new pay scale and public-safety hires

County Administrator Kevin Massengill presented the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors with a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and a FY2026–2035 capital improvements plan during a public hearing Thursday, outlining a roughly $66 million operating budget, a new class-and-compensation plan and targeted investments in law enforcement, fire/EMS and school capital needs.

Massengill said the proposed budget is built around a 64¢ real-estate tax rate adopted earlier in 2025 and reflects local revenues of about $57.7 million, state revenues of about $8.2 million and roughly $93,000 in federal funds. He said the county's total revenue package and one-time capital items produce a larger expense number, but when one-time items are removed the recurring budget balances at about $66 million.

The proposal would create a two-track pay structure separating general government and public-safety scales, raise the minimum full‑time starting wage to $15 an hour, and guarantee every existing employee at least a 3% adjustment. Massengill said Autosolv, Inc. completed the compensation study and that constitutional officers may opt in or out of the new pay plan.

The budget includes several targeted staffing and program investments: a five-deputy traffic enforcement unit with personnel, vehicles and equipment (Massengill cited salaries of about $279,000 and a total package approaching $741,000), a full-time fire marshal position (nearly $200,000 total), a captain-level EMS position to manage the pharmaceutical drug-box program and EMS-only staff (nearly $200,000), an animal-control attendant (about $31,000), and a human-resources position with a starting salary cited at $51,800 and a total first‑year cost of about $72,000.

Massengill also proposed a two-year reassessment program to shorten the time between reassessments; he said FY2026 would include $86,400 of the reassessment cost, FY2027 the remaining $201,600, and a total project cost of $288,000, with a January 1, 2027, effective date if the board proceeds.

On schools, the county would transfer about $19.1 million from the general fund, a roughly $500,000 operating increase in the school operating fund, $2.1 million for school debt and additional school operating capital to support buses and building maintenance. Massengill said $150,000 historically funded a school operating capital line and the administration proposes doubling that to help replace buses and address painting schedules; he also noted school security upgrades were not fully funded in the proposal but could be revisited after the courthouse study is completed.

The board and administration also proposed creating a recurring operating capital or “replacement” fund to pay annually for vehicles, apparatus and IT equipment (Massengill said the county would set aside roughly $1.8 million annually into the fund, and estimated long-term replacement needs of $1.8–$2.2 million per year).

Chairman Daniel D. Lee and several board members thanked finance staff, especially Anne Howerton, and administration staff for work on a multi-iteration budget. Massengill reminded the board that under the Code of Virginia the board may only receive public comment at the hearing and cannot act tonight; adoption is scheduled for a special meeting on May 6 at 4 p.m.

During the public comment portion a resident who identified herself as Miss Tipton urged the board to examine school operating costs, noting Dinwiddie School enrollment and graduation statistics as part of her questioning of school spending and facility upkeep.

No action was taken on the budget at the hearing; the board will consider final adoption at the May 6 special meeting.

The presentation and discussion also covered the planning process for the CIP. Massengill said the planning commission unanimously recommended the CIP on April 9. He described a prioritization framework (urgent for year 1, high for years 2–3, medium for years 4–5, and low for years 6–10) and highlighted near-term projects including an annex roof at the historic Southside High School, a parking-lot repair at McKenney Volunteer Fire Department, engine replacements, an E-911/CAD/RMS upgrade, and roof repair at Dinwiddie Elementary; he said the county would likely borrow for courthouse and some school roof work while paying cash for other items from the general fund.

Massengill and members of the board asked supervisors to raise questions before the May 6 vote and to coordinate with school-system leadership on outstanding items.

Ending: The board closed the public hearings after hearing no additional speakers and set a May 6 special meeting for final action on both the FY2026 budget and the CIP.