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Rockbridge supervisors agree to advertise FY2026 budget with up to 3¢ real‑estate tax increase for capital; public hearing set
Summary
Board voted to advertise the FY2026 budget and combined CIP with a proposed 3¢ increase to the real‑estate tax (from 61¢ to 64¢) dedicated to capital, and set the public hearing for April 28. Supervisors debated revenues, reserves and whether recurring capital items (buses, vehicles) should be handled differently.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted on April 14 to advertise the proposed FY2026 budget and the combined 2026–2030 capital improvement plan with a proposed 3‑cent increase to the real‑estate tax rate, to be dedicated to capital projects. The board set a public hearing for April 28 on the advertised budget.
County finance staff summarized changes since the March 31 draft and said the finance committee’s revised draft is balanced after updating revenue assumptions. County staff reported the current real property tax rate of 61¢ per $100 of assessed value and said a 3¢ increase would raise an estimated $979,914 to be restricted to capital; the proposed total FY2026 budget would be $65,514,357. Staff also noted adjustments in revenue estimates for sales tax, lodging tax, BPOL and cigarette taxes and listed specific expense and capital changes (four school buses, central dispatch capital purchases, and several CIP projects).
“Mister Harrison” (county staff) told the board: “There is a proposal of the current real property tax rate is 61¢. There is a proposed to raise that to 64¢; the additional 3¢ would generate $979,914 in additional revenue. The finance committee does recommend that that revenue be restricted to capital.”
Supervisors debated whether recurring purchases such as school buses and police vehicles are capital or operational costs and whether designating the 3¢ strictly to capital could unduly restrict future boards. Some members said they prefer a distinct capital fund to accumulate and plan for multi‑year capital needs; others said the board already uses reserves for some recurring capital purchases and cautioned against over‑designating. The board agreed to advertise the budget as presented (which contains the 3¢ for capital) and to allow the board to adjust the allocation later; advertisement does not bind the board to the exact final rate.
The board’s action begins the statutorily required public process. If the board changes the advertised rate after the public hearing, the county must follow state code rules on tax due dates (the county treasurer and commissioner of revenue timeline was discussed). Staff reiterated that adoption cannot occur on the same day as the public hearing and that adoption would be scheduled for May 5 if the process remains on track.
The board approved the advertisement (motion passed by roll-call). The finance committee and staff said they will provide more detail to supervisors and the public before the April 28 hearing.
