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 when the budget was advertised and possible federal funding changes — that could prompt amendments before adoption.

In the public comment period, Tammy Riggs, principal at Colonial Elementary, urged the board to "strongly advocate for full funding of the Botetourt County Schools ask for the 2526 school year, as well as capital improvement needs." Riggs described classroom and facility shortages at Colonial Elementary, saying the school serves 464 students and that reconfigurations have reduced instructional spaces: "Our teachers lounge is now a music room shrinking down from 900 square feet of instructional space to 221 square feet of instructional space." She told the board adding permanent classroom capacity that previously would have cost about $800,000 now estimates at $1.7 million.

Other speakers made related points about school funding and county spending. Danny Goad, a Valley District resident, asked the board to examine long-term spending trends and to consider reducing the real estate tax rate, noting recent increases in real-estate-derived revenue. Nicole Tilley, of the Amsterdam District, described the impact of cuts on vulnerable students and said, "If a decision is made to continue to cut funding from the schools, our most vulnerable students will suffer." Lee Martel, a resident who followed the county and school budgets, urged the school division to streamline given a declining student population. Jenny McConaughey, a Lord Botetourt High School staff member and PTSO president, described building-condition and safety concerns at the high school, listing issues including intermittent hot water, visible mold, and rodent activity.

On budget details, Davis said highlights include: a proposed 3% employee compensation increase and a one-time 1.5% bonus to align with amounts in the state budget; continued county support for the public safety radio project and completion funds for a treasurer tax system upgrade; a capital improvement plan of about $3.0 million that includes tower work for radios, jail camera completion, voting equipment and waste-compactor replacement; and a planned $32.4 million county transfer to schools that includes roughly $3.6 million in county-paid school debt service, maintenance and security costs. She also described department-level changes such as a new network engineer position, conversion of a part-time fire administrative assistant to full time and a new assistant chief of EMS position; the budget would also increase support for the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection by agreement.

Board members reiterated that no formal action would be taken at the hearing. Chair Amy White opened the meeting and noted the advertised hearing dates and publication in the Fincastle Herald. Supervisor Clinton (a member of the budget subcommittee) thanked staff for the systematic process and described the proposed budget as a compromise: "You often hear...a compromise defined as nobody's happy with the outcome, but everybody's at least comfortable," he said. Multiple supervisors and staff noted the county may need to amend the budget after final state figures or if federal funding shifts.

The board opened and closed two advertised public hearings and then adjourned; no votes on the budget or tax rates were taken at the April 9 meeting. The supervisors are scheduled to consider budget and tax adoption at a meeting set for April 22. County budget documents and the advertised materials are posted on the county website at the finance/budget page referenced by staff.