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Spotsylvania board approves doubling courthouse security fee to $20
Summary
The board voted 7‑0 Oct. 28 to amend county code section 1‑18 to increase the courthouse security assessment from $10 to $20 per conviction, a change enabled by a 2020 state amendment authorizing the higher amount; staff said FY25 collections at $10 totaled about $112,758.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 28 to amend county code section 1‑18 and raise the courthouse security assessment from $10 to $20, the maximum amount authorized by a 2020 change in state law. Captain Breiner of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office explained that fees collected under the county ordinance must be used to fund courthouse security personnel and, if requested, equipment and personal property used for courthouse security per state statute cited in the presentation.
Staff reported FY25 revenue from the $10 assessment totaled $112,757.60; staff estimated raising the fee to $20 would roughly double collections and help offset court‑related security expenses such as metal‑detector replacements and overtime. Board members questioned how the fee revenue appears in the sheriff’s budget and whether judges can reduce or waive the fee in individual cases; staff and the county attorney said the code requires the assessment and it must be used for courthouse security operations.
The board approved the code amendment and asked staff and the sheriff’s office to track and report on use of the added revenue as part of the sheriff’s budget process.
