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Bath County School Board adopts 4% tax increase; sets real/property rate at 63.4¢ and motor vehicle rate at 46.4¢
Summary
The Bath County Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 25 to adopt a 63.4¢ tax rate on real and personal property (a 4% increase over the compensating rate) and to keep the motor vehicle tax rate at 46.4¢. Board members and staff debated budget pressures including lost federal funding and program cuts.
The Bath County Board of Education voted Aug. 25 to adopt the 2025–26 tax rates that set the real and personal property rate at 63.4¢ per $100 of assessed value (a 4% increase) and the motor vehicle rate at 46.4¢. Both motions carried on voice votes.
Finance staff presented several options, including the compensating rate (61¢) and a 4% increase (63.4¢). The presenter said the district’s current property tax rate is 60.7¢ and showed estimated revenue for each option and the likely effect on an average property assessment. The staff presentation noted that increasing the rate by 4% would generate roughly an additional $151,000 for general district purposes above the compensating rate.
During discussion board members and staff described tight district finances, noting recent losses and uncertainty in federal and program funding. The presenter said Bath County had absorbed multiple funding hits this year including a loss of CTE funding (about $100,000) and expected reductions in Title II and Title IV next year. One board member urged caution about raising taxes, saying the community had previously voted down similar proposals; other members said raising the rate was one of the few immediate ways the board could increase revenue and avoid program cuts.
The board approved the tax-rate motions following standard motion/second procedure. The motion to adopt the real and personal property rate of 63.4¢ was made by Carla and seconded by Eric; the motor vehicle rate motion was made by Carla and seconded by Eric. Both motions carried on voice votes.
Why it matters: the adopted rates will appear on tax bills next year and affect district revenue available for payroll, instructional programs and capital needs. Board members said the district’s fund balance and continuing reductions in federal funding made additional local revenue necessary to avoid cutting instructional support.
What the record shows: the transcript records revenue examples for an assessed value of $50,000 and staff statements about a roughly $13.50 annual increase for a $50,000 property at the 4% option. The transcript also records discussion that some previously proposed local options (nickel tax) had been turned down by voters in past years.
Next steps: district staff will publish the adopted rates and follow state advertising requirements as required for rates above the compensating threshold.
