Prince George County Adopts FY2026 Budget; Board Sets Real‑Estate Rate at 82 Cents After Heated Public Hearings

The Prince George County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and set the real property and manufactured‑home tax rate at 82 cents per $100 of assessed value during its May 27 meeting.

Why it matters: Although the rate itself matched the current year, staff and the board said an “effective tax increase” will occur for many property owners because Vision’s reassessments raised assessed values in the county. The adoption followed extensive public comment urging lower rates or postponement while reassessment corrections continue.

The vote: The board voted to set the tax rate at $0.82. The roll call on that motion recorded supervisors Webb, Brown and Vice Chair Waymack voting yes; Supervisors Cox and Pugh voted no. Later, the board adopted and appropriated the FY2026 budget by the same margin: Supervisor Webb moved to adopt and Supervisor Waymack seconded; the budget passed 3–2 (Webb, Brown, Waymack yes; Cox and Pugh no).

Budget highlights and why residents protested: Finance Director Laura Drury told the board the introduced general fund budget was adjusted downward by $673,202 from initial projections because updated assessment data reduced expected real‑property revenue. The advertised all‑fund budget for adoption totaled $172,048,035; the general fund portion for adoption is $79,469,891. The board made consensus reductions in recent workshops — including cutting four proposed county positions and trimming one school transfer amount — but still approved pay‑and‑market increases for county employees and several new or partially state‑funded positions.

During public comment, several residents urged postponing a tax‑rate decision until reassessments are corrected. William Steele, a County Line Road resident, said the proposed 82‑cent rate would “further strain the already overtaxed community” and called on the board to reduce administrative costs. James Keller urged starting at the equalization rate Vision reported (74 cents) and “work your way up” if more revenue is necessary; he said the board should defend any increase publicly.

Board rationale and process notes: Chairman Floyd Brown and other supervisors said the county faces inflationary and infrastructure needs, public safety equipment shortfalls and state‑mandated costs that make cuts difficult. Ms. Drury explained the county does not budget at 100% of assessed value because allowances for tax relief, uncollectible accounts and other adjustments are customary; she also noted the board retains the ability to alter budget figures later if assessment corrections change revenue projections.

Legal and timing details: The board held multiple advertised public hearings on the rates and budgets as required by the Code of Virginia. Drury noted the county must complete the land book work and finalize tax‑bill calculations later in the summer; the land‑book deadline under state law is Sept. 1, and actual tax bills are usually issued in October to November with a December payment due date.

Ending: The board adopted the budget and set the tax rate after extensive public comment and internal adjustments; supervisors said they expect continued corrections to assessment data and left open the possibility of later budget amendments if revenues shift.