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Deputy Gilbert honored for fraud sting; sheriff reports agency activity as county budget manager previews FY27 forecast
Summary
The board recognized Deputy Boyce Gilbert for coordinating a sting that recovered $21,000 from a scam targeting a senior citizen; Sheriff Smith reviewed agency activity and recent grants while budget manager Scott Johnson presented a FY27 revenue forecast showing modest growth and a proposed budget calendar.
The board presented a certificate of recognition to Deputy Boyce Gilbert for his work on a multi‑agency operation that targeted a predatory scam. According to the statement read into the record, a senior citizen reported being contacted by impersonators claiming to be from Microsoft and was persuaded to withdraw $21,000; Gilbert coordinated a sting with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigations unit, the triad unit and the Virginia State Police that led to the arrest and conviction of the courier and recovery of the funds.
Sheriff Smith delivered a comprehensive departmental report. He summarized year‑to‑date activity through November — including roughly 17,200 calls for service, hundreds of warrants served, more than 8,000 civil papers executed, nearly 3,800 traffic stops and a range of community programs. He highlighted recent grant awards including an $2,025,000 grant to replace the agency drone, an $85,000 FARO grant for 3‑D mapping equipment, and smaller grants for tasers, ballistic helmets and other equipment. The sheriff also described school safety initiatives, a safe-exchange zone at the Public Safety Building, body‑camera review technology pilots, and the agency’s volunteer and training programs.
Shortly after the sheriff’s report, Scott Johnson, the county’s new budget manager, presented a preliminary FY27 revenue forecast. Johnson projected general fund revenues of $79,483,299 — about $1.5 million more than FY26 — and noted a $2.3 million increase in the general property tax category though some other categories are expected to decline. Under current assumptions the equalized property-tax rate would move from $0.62 to $0.56 per $100 of assessed value (a 42¢ general /14¢ fire split). He asked the board for guidance as staff prepares the FY27 budget calendar.
Board members thanked the sheriff and staff. Supervisors also noted the tight revenue outlook and the need for careful budget work in the coming weeks.
Next steps: staff will publish the FY27 budget calendar and return with detailed line‑item proposals through the standard budget review process.
