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Staunton Council adopts FY2026 budget and five-year CIP, raises real-estate tax to $0.91; debate over a smaller 1¢ alternative fails
Summary
After a lengthy debate, Staunton City Council on April 24 adopted a $164.5 million FY2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan and approved a real-estate tax rate of $0.91 per $100 assessed value; an alternate motion to set the rate at $0.90 failed in a separate vote.
Staunton City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan (FY2026–FY2030) on April 24 after extended discussion about infrastructure needs and the tax burden on residents. The total all‑funds budget approved for FY2026 is $164,535,789; the city operating budget is $112,846,002.85 and the school budget is $51,689,504. The council set the real-estate tax rate at $0.91 per $100 of assessed value.
Finance and budget staff presented the proposed budget summary to council. Key items included a proposed transfer to schools of $18.9 million (a 9.55% increase), annual debt-service transfer of roughly $6.5 million, and a recommended 3% cost-of-living…
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