Botetourt holds public hearing on proposed FY26 budget and tax rates; residents press for full school funding

The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing April 9 on the advertised FY2026 general fund budget and proposed tax rates, hearing a presentation from county staff and comments from five residents who urged increased school funding and raised facility and safety concerns.

Katie Davis, the county presenter, told the board the advertised FY26 revenue projection is $96.8 million, with a projected use of fund balance of $2.0 million that brings total proposed sources to $98.8 million. "We are currently at the public review, which a public hearing for April 9, followed by a scheduled budget and tax adoption on April 22," Davis said. She said local revenue remains the primary funding source (84.9% projected for FY26) and that the budget proposal includes a $32.4 million county contribution to Botetourt County Public Schools, a $2.4 million increase over FY25.

Why it matters: the proposed operating and capital plan would direct roughly one-third of county spending to schools and give public safety the next-largest share. County staff outlined personnel changes, capital investments and continuing uncertainties — notably a state budget that was not final…