York County adopts FY 2026 budget, raises real-estate tax rate; board approves CIP and related measures

The York County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the county's fiscal year 2026 budget, adopted the 2025 tax levies and a five-year capital improvements program after a multi-month budget process that county staff said began in December.

County Administrator Mister Bellamy told the board the adopted FY26 spending plan totals roughly $291,000,000, excluding transfers, and described the package as the product of five months of public meetings that refined revenue estimates and budget priorities. Bellamy said the budget adds five sheriff's deputy positions, reduces sheriff overtime in lieu of those positions, removes a drone replacement, moves a permanent stage to the tourism fund, and shifts some school capital funding from the revenue stabilization fund into the school CIP. He also said staff has added a contingency for school funding but emailed the board this week saying that contingency may not be needed.

The board voted to raise the real-estate tax rate from $0.74 per $100 of assessed value to $0.78 per $100. Bellamy said there will also be an increase in solid-waste fees and new planning-and-development service fees; the transcript did not specify the new personal-property rate in full. Bellamy said the general fund budget drivers include employee compensation, increased school contributions, public-safety enhancements, operational costs and external agency funding such as WADA and the Williamsburg Regional Library. He said the county maintains a strong bond rating and continued recognition for budgeting and financial reporting.

Why it matters: The budget provides the county's legally adopted spending plan and tax levies for FY26 and sets the county's financial obligation for the coming fiscal year, while the CIP adoption establishes a long-range plan for capital projects through FY31. Some elements approved are immediate financial commitments for FY26; others in the FY26'FY31 CIP are for planning and future consideration.

Board discussion and context: Supervisors commended staff for outreach and noted the multi-meeting process provided greater public engagement compared with past years. Supervisor comments acknowledged rising costs and described the adopted package as narrow but necessary to maintain services, schools and public safety. One supervisor, Mister Drury, registered a recorded no vote on the budget and on the tax levy ordinance.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution R-25-68: Adopt FY2026 budget and appropriate funds for the County of York and the York County School Division (motion maker recorded as Mister Rohn). Roll call: Holroy: yes; Drury: no; Roan: yes; Sheppard: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25-2 R-1: Impose tax levies for calendar year 2025 (motion maker recorded as Mister Holroyd). Roll call: Drury: no; Roe/Roan: yes; Shepherd: yes; Holroyd: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution R-25-69: Adopt FY2026 through FY2031 Capital Improvements Program as a long-range planning document (motion maker recorded as Mister Sheppard). Roll call: Roan: yes; Sheppard: yes; Holroy: yes; Drury: no; Knoll: yes. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution R-25-70: Designate a portion of the real-property tax for school purposes (board discussion noted the 37% figure is set by federal requirement). Roll call: Sheppard: yes; Holroy: yes; Drury: yes; Roan: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 25-8: Amend Chapter 19 (Solid Waste, Garbage, and Weeds) to change solid-waste and recycling fees. Roll call: Holroy: yes; Drury: yes; Roe: yes; Sheppard: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: adopted; effective date discussed as July 1. - Ordinance 25-9 R: Amend and establish certain fees in Chapter 7.1 (Building Regulations), Chapter 20.5 (Subdivisions), and Chapter 24.1 (Zoning). Roll call: Drury: yes; Roe: yes; Sheppard: yes; Holroy: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: adopted; effective date added as July 1. - Consent calendar approval (includes item 9: roofing at the transfer station and authority for the county administrator to contract for roofing and glazing work): Motion made by Mister Sheppard; roll call: Roan: yes; Sheppard: yes; Holroy: yes; Drury: yes; Knoll: yes. Outcome: approved.

Discussion versus decisions: Several items described by staff (for example, refined revenue estimates and program-level CIP planning through FY31) were presented as background and planning context; the formal actions before the board were the adoption votes listed above. Bellamy emphasized that the board's FY26 financial commitments are limited to that year; the FY26'FY31 CIP otherwise serves as a long-range plan.

What the budget buys: Bellamy and staff called out funding support for the school division, five new deputies for the sheriff's office, a pharmacy management program, a new emergency communications software, increased library digital e-book subscriptions, investments in public spaces (including median mowing) and continued external agency funding. The board and staff noted that some spending decisions reflect requests from supervisors during the five-month process.

Next steps and timeline: The adopted FY26 budget takes effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025.