Prince Edward supervisors hold public hearing on FY‑26 budget, advertise 39 cents tax rate; no action taken

The Board of Supervisors of Prince Edward County held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 county and school budgets and advertised a 39 cents per $100 equalized real‑estate tax rate after a countywide reassessment, but the board did not take action at the hearing because state code requires separation of the tax‑rate and budget approval in a reassessment year.

Staff member Mr. Stanley opened the meeting by explaining the schedule and the reason for a separate hearing: “Tonight, we're gonna have a public hearing on the FY '26 budget,” and he said the new assessments, effective Jan. 1, are “up, 37% on average,” which required equalizing the rate. He told the board the advertised rate is 39 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared with the current 51 cents and an equalized rate of 37 cents.

Why it matters: The reassessment-driven change in equalized rate changes how the county balances revenue needs while attempting to limit increases in taxpayers’ bills. Mr. Stanley said the advertised budget is roughly $4 million higher than last year, but much of that increase is fund balance and one‑time or earmarked funds rather than new recurring tax receipts.

Key details from staff presentation: Mr. Stanley said the advertised FY‑26 budget includes about $350,000 in hosting‑fee (Avion) revenue earmarked for a new animal shelter, $650,000 for school capital improvements, and roughly $1.5 million in local support toward the school operating budget. He described salary cost pressures: the school division expects about $350,000 in new state revenue but estimates it needs about $1.5 million to provide a 3% increase to all employees. On the county side, Mr. Stanley said a 3% raise plus step increases would cost about $428,000. He also outlined increases in the sheriff’s office budget—overtime from $200,000 to $217,056, fuel from $65,000 to $80,000, and other equipment and maintenance increases—and listed a proposed $350,000 in debt service for radio‑system improvements and nearly $65,000 toward a joint dispatch concept.

Public comment: Three residents spoke in support of the advertised budget and tax rate, urging investments in schools and teacher recruitment and retention. Resident Justin Poole said the proposed rates were “very, very reasonable” and “very, very low by state standards” and urged the board to seize a moment of opportunity for the schools. Chris Cook, who described himself as a longtime Farmville resident, emphasized the role of public education in economic opportunity and called the current moment “a crucial opportunity for Farmville to…make a small push” to improve schools. Jared Tackett said, “Anything we can do to continue supporting the school system, I'm in favor of it,” and urged the board and community to promote the county’s schools.

Process and next steps: Mr. Stanley reminded the board that approval next week would deliver the budget to the school board by the code‑mandated May 1 deadline for contract timing; appropriations (the formal authorization to spend funds) are scheduled for the June 10 meeting and must be completed by July 1 to encumber expenses. Because state code prevents action at this hearing in a reassessment year, the board recessed to a meeting set for next Tuesday at 7 p.m. to consider adoption of the county and school budgets and tax rates.

No formal budget adoption, ordinance, or resolution was passed at this meeting. The public hearing record and the staff presentation will be available for the board’s consideration at the next meeting, when a formal vote on rates and the budget is scheduled.