Savannah Ford supervisors adopt $117.7 million FY26 budget and 2026–30 CIP; real estate tax rate held at 0.75

The Savannah Ford Board of Supervisors adopted a $117.7 million fiscal 2026 operations budget, set the advertised real‑estate tax rate at 0.75 and approved the FY26–30 capital improvements plan on April 23, each by 5–0 votes.

The actions set a real estate tax rate that staff said is above the equalized rate of 0.689 and, according to the county’s finance presentation, results in an 8.85% tax increase for the average homeowner. The board voted to appropriate funds for the adopted budget and to include a placeholder appropriation for a streetscape item in the capital improvements plan.

Finance staff member Miss Hill told the board, “The budget totals this year for FY '26 [are] $117.7 million. The real estate tax rate is currently advertised at 0.75, which is an increase above the equalized tax rate of 0.689. This results in a tax increase of 8.85% for the average homeowner.” She also said overall county expenditures rose by about $6.8 million, or 6.1%, from the amended budget. Personal property and business personal property tax rates were left unchanged.

The budget discussion included personnel and school funding details. Miss Hill said the county received 25 requests for new full‑time positions and two up‑tier grade requests; nine positions are included in the FY26 budget. The board approved the resolution to adopt the FY26 operations budget on a motion by Mr. Bridal, seconded by Mr. Sheridan; the vote was recorded as 5–0.

Supervisor Mike Sheridan made a public conflict‑of‑interest disclosure before the vote, stating he has worked for Fluvanna County Public Schools as a physical education teacher and bus driver since 1987 and that, because his salary exceeds $5,000, he had a personal interest in budget matters that affect the school system. Sheridan asked that his statement be included verbatim in the minutes, citing the Code of Virginia. The clerk recorded the disclosure and the board proceeded with the vote; Sheridan participated and voted.

The board also approved the FY26–30 capital improvements plan on a motion by Mr. Bridal, seconded by Mr. Sheridan, by a 5–0 vote. During discussion of projects in the CIP, staff advised that a proposed streetscape project had been “over‑engineered” in initial estimates and that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was re‑evaluating what treatments are allowable and prudent. Staff recommended leaving a placeholder appropriation in the CIP—described in the meeting as roughly $300,000 tied to VDOT work and about $100,000 for county work—so the county can consider scaled or spot improvements after VDOT completes further review. Staff said funds would not be spent unless projects move forward.

Board members also noted the county’s debt obligations to the joint regional water authority would contribute additional cents to the tax rate, a factor reflected in the adopted budget assumptions.

The board adopted the budget and CIP and moved them into implementation; staff will return with any required follow‑up approvals for specific capital projects, including the streetscape design adjustments currently under review with VDOT.

Ending: The adopted FY26 budget, tax rates and capital improvements plan were recorded in the meeting minutes and become the county’s financial plan until amended or superseded by future board action.