Wythe County supervisors move to adopt $118.2 million FY2026 budget; library, schools see funding increases

Wythe County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday considered adopting a $118,206,259 budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and entertained a motion to set tax rates and approve related appropriations, county staff said.

The action was presented by Mister Barry, county staff, who told the board: “The total budget here is ... $118,206,259,” and that the proposal would levy the same tax rates as the previous year: $0.51 per $100 of assessed real estate, $2.22 per $100 for personal property, $0.50 per $100 for machinery and tools, and $0.56 per $100 for merchantsf9 capital, according to the resolution text on the meeting packet. The resolution shown to the board was identified in the meeting as Resolution 2025-21.

The proposed budget includes a $77,799 increase for the county library system, part of which staff said is intended to support operations at the Fort Chiswell Library if the Friends group completes building preparations in time for a July 1 opening. Mister Barry also told the board the county will provide roughly $1,400,000 in additional local funds to the Wythe County School Division for teacher pay and other needs.

Why it matters: the budget sets county spending priorities and the tax levy for the year beginning July 1, 2025. Residents and speakers at the meeting repeatedly tied the library funding level to local debate over materials available to patrons and to ongoing community services.

Board action and process Mister Smith moved to adopt Resolution 2025-21 to set the FY2026 budget and tax rates; Mister Cook seconded the motion. Miss Adams, identified in the meeting as library staff, described an operating agreement the county and the Friends of the Fort Chiswell Library have negotiated and said the Friends need the signed agreement to refinance the building before the group can convey the property and the library can open.

Mister Smith later moved and Mister Toyman seconded a separate motion to authorize the county administrator to execute the Fort Chiswell Library operating agreement presented to the board. The transcript records the motions and seconds but does not contain a clear roll-call result for either motion; the outcome of those specific motions is not specified in the meeting record provided.

Details the board discussed - Budget total: $118,206,259 (presented by county staff). - Library increase: $77,799, described as funding to start and operate the Fort Chiswell Library and to reflect changes in agreements with partner organizations. - School local funding increase: approximately $1,400,000 in additional local funds for the Wythe County School Division, described in the meeting as targeted to teacher pay and related needs. - Tax rates: presented as unchanged from the prior year: $0.51 per $100 real estate; $2.22 per $100 personal property; $0.50 per $100 machinery and tools; $0.56 per $100 merchants capital.

What board members asked and clarified Board members asked for and received confirmation that the Fort Chiswell Friends group and library board had both approved the operating agreement and that the Friends were awaiting the signed agreement to refinance the building and transfer it into the groupf9s name (a 501(c)(3)), which would reduce their property tax burden, according to Miss Adams.

Next steps The meeting packet and remarks indicate the budget would be effective beginning July 1, 2025. County staff announced the next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 30, at 10 a.m. The transcript does not include an explicit roll-call result for the FY2026 budget motion or for the operating-agreement authorization; the record provided here therefore does not confirm final adoption.

Ending County staff said they will proceed with administrative steps tied to the proposed budget and bring follow-up items to future meetings as needed. The transcript records staff and board discussion of implementation timing for the Fort Chiswell Library if the Friends finish refinancing and building work.