Rockbridge supervisors adopt FY2026 budget, raise real‑property rate 3 cents and restore preschool funding

The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating budget and the FY2026–2030 capital improvement plan during a May 5 budget meeting, approving a 3‑cent increase in the county’s real‑property tax rate and restoring county funding for a preschool off‑the‑bus program.

County staff presented the budget package to the board; the presentation showed a balanced general fund budget of $65,676,650, a capital construction fund budget of $2,215,225, a capital purchases fund of $873,019, and an ARPA fund of $883,879. County staff also proposed raising the real‑property tax rate from $0.61 to $0.64 and increasing personal property tax relief from 27% to 30%. Personal property tax rates, business personal property and machinery and tools rates were reported as…