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Buckingham presents $72.4 million FY26 budget with no proposed tax increase; board schedules adoption meeting
Summary
County staff presented a $72,434,585 FY2026 budget that includes a 3% pay increase and a 1.5% bonus for employees, contends the plan requires no tax increase, and schedules a reconvened meeting April 28 to adopt the budget and tax rate.
County staff presented the proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget to the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors and opened a public hearing; the board scheduled a reconvened meeting to adopt the budget and tax rate on Monday, April 28.
The presentation described a total advertised budget of $72,434,585 and projected total expenses of $65,434,585 for FY26. County staff said the proposed budget includes a 3% pay increase and a 1.5% bonus for employees; that bonus is partly funded by the state for compensation‑board positions and partially by the county for non‑compensation board employees. The presentation stated the proposal includes no tax increase and that the budget is presented as balanced without drawing fund balance.
Key numbers and elements presented: the school system was shown as the largest single budget item in the packet (approximately $33 million in local and state/federal funding combined); the budget includes $227,469 to finish a reassessment contract; a small part‑time position for the community center; a 3% routine rate increase planned for county water operations on July 1 per rural development loan covenants; and multiple line items affected by state compensation proposals.
The presenter noted reassessment work is scheduled to complete in 2025 and become effective in 2026, and referenced conversations with neighboring counties that saw assessed values rise 30–40% after recent reassessments. The presenter also outlined expected one‑time signing agreements and revenue from solar projects and a multi‑year debt service profile showing substantial drops in debt payments in coming years.
The board took no final action on the budget tonight; the chairman said the board will recess and reconvene Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. to adopt the budget and set the tax rate. County staff warned the presented numbers may change if state or federal funding commitments change before the adoption meeting.
