Washington County board reviews FY25-26 revenue estimates, approves multiple budget tabs

The Washington County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday reviewed county FY25-26 operating budget revenue estimates, heard a presentation from county finance staff and Washington County Public Schools leadership, and approved multiple budget tabs by unanimous voice votes.

County finance staff presented conservative revenue estimates tied to this year’s reassessment, saying the county’s total taxable value rose from about $4.69 billion in 2024 to about $7.03 billion in 2025. The staff presentation noted an average assessed increase for residential property that dropped from an early 67% advertised number to a 49.91% net increase after assessor hearings. The presenter said one penny on the tax rate would bring roughly $655,000 in revenue.

The nut of the matter for supervisors was how much of the reassessment-driven growth to use in next year’s spending plan. County staff said roughly $13 million of new revenue would materialize if the board left the current 60¢ tax rate unchanged; the proposed budget before the board uses about $2.6 million of that growth (about four cents, at roughly $650,000 per penny) for new obligations and priorities.

Major near-term cost drivers outlined by county presenters included debt service on recent capital projects and a $17 million contract for a…