Board approves 2025 tax rate of $0.4343, adopts budgets and ratifies county burn ban

Washington County’s Board of Supervisors approved a real property tax rate of $0.4343 per $100 of assessed value and adopted several operating budgets and emergency measures during its March 25 meeting, voting unanimously on each formal action.

The board’s actions included a $278,270 addition to the school operating budget, approval of the sheriff’s office budget as presented, approval of emergency management funding that includes swift-water rescue team training (with equipment to be requested separately), adoption of the countywide fire and emergency medical services operating budget, and ratification of an emergency burn ban declared the prior Saturday at 9:29 p.m. All recorded formal votes were 7-0.

Why this matters: The tax rate and budget votes set county spending levels for fiscal year 2026 and determine local funding for schools, public safety and emergency response. Ratifying the burn ban responds to current drought and windy conditions and gives emergency managers authority to restrict outdoor burning until conditions improve.

The board approved the school system’s operating budget item (Tab 13) with an added $278,270. A motion to approve the item as presented with that addition passed by voice vote, recorded 7-0.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office appeared and asked the board to adopt the recommended budget “with no additions on our part,” and the board approved the sheriff’s budget 7-0.

On emergency management, staff and the board discussed funding set aside for swift-water team training while delaying equipment purchases until after training and team formation. Theresa, an emergency management staff member, told supervisors the budget included training funds and that equipment would be requested later; the board approved the emergency management budget, 7-0.

Countywide fire and EMS operating budgets were discussed as both county-level and individual agency funding; the board approved the operating budgets, 7-0.

On the real property tax rate, the board considered a resolution to set the 2025 rate. Miss Berry (county staff) told the board the proposed budget before them was calculated at $0.44 and said, “if it's the board's desire to do 43¢, I think we can make it.” A motion to adopt the resolution with the blank filled at $0.4343 carried 7-0.

The board ratified a burn ban by resolution (identified in the meeting as resolution 2025-009) that the chairman had declared effective at 9:29 p.m. the previous Saturday; the motion to ratify the declaration was made by Mr. Rush and seconded by Mr. Stevens and carried 7-0.

Votes at a glance (formal items recorded in the transcript): - Tab 13, School operating budget: approved as presented with addition of $278,270; recorded vote 7-0. - Washington County Sheriff’s Office budget: approved as recommended; recorded vote 7-0. - Emergency Management operating budget (includes swift-water team training funds; equipment to be requested later): approved; recorded vote 7-0. - Fire and EMS countywide operating budgets: approved; recorded vote 7-0. - Resolution to set FY2025 real property tax rate at $0.4343 per $100: approved; recorded vote 7-0. - Resolution 2025-009, ratifying the burn ban declared at 9:29 p.m. Saturday: approved; recorded vote 7-0.

Board members and county staff framed the votes as responses to a difficult budget year, reassessments, and community needs for emergency response. Several supervisors and staff thanked local law enforcement, teachers and emergency responders for work during recent floods and rescues.

Looking ahead, emergency management staff said they expect to return with equipment requests after completing swift-water team training; the burn ban will remain in effect until weather conditions allow the board or staff to lift it.