Madison County supervisors review FY27 budget requests; allow vice chair to attend remotely

The Madison County Board of Supervisors met Feb. 12 for a fiscal year 2027 budget work session to hear annual funding requests from regional partners and local nonprofits and to review joint-service budgets. The board adopted the meeting agenda and approved a procedural motion allowing Vice Chairman Jewett to attend remotely under a Virginia code provision because he reported illness.

Most of the session was devoted to presentations from organizations that request county contributions or provide services tied to county priorities, including child-protection services, youth programs, public safety, transit and workforce development. County staff also reviewed the Central Virginia Regional Jail and juvenile detention allocations, which together yield a projected FY27 reduction of roughly $139,449 for Madison based on three-year bed‑day averages.

Why it matters: The requests will factor into planned budget decisions this spring. Several agencies warned that federal or state funding changes could force service reductions locally, while nonprofit leaders described rising operating and capital costs that local support helps address.

Highlights and next steps: The board recorded three routine formal actions during the meeting: (1) permitting Vice Chairman Jewett to participate remotely, (2) adopting the meeting agenda, and (3) adjourning following the presentations. The board did not take final appropriation votes at this workshop; department heads and nonprofit representatives will return as staff prepare the FY27 proposed budget for later consideration.