King and Queen supervisors hear public concerns over proposed tax increase and $17.6 million FY2025 budget

King and Queen County Board of Supervisors opened public hearings April 8 on proposed 2024 tax rates and the county’s FY2025 budget, which the County Administrator described as a $17,597,691 General Fund proposal. Chairman J.L. Simpkins presided; the board did not take any votes on the tax rate that night and noted votes must wait at least seven days.

Multiple residents used the public-comment period and the budget hearing to press the board on cost and priority questions. Cynthia Johnston (St. Stephens Church District) said the county’s recent withdrawal from the Pamunkey Regional Library system could deny residents use of the West Point branch after June 30 and urged the board to consider tax exceptions for the elderly and disabled. Patricia Case (St. Stephens Church District) told supervisors that rising costs and personal property taxes are forcing some older residents to consider leaving their homes; she also asked why private roads in her subdivision receive no county maintenance and said past sheriff guidance limited county action on some neighborhood disturbances.

Several commenters questioned personnel and program spending in the proposed budget. Cynthia Johnston and others asked why the proposed Zoning Administrator position would be full time at an annual salary of $74,000 when a neighboring locality (King William) has advertised a comparable position at $54,000; Johnston asked whether the zoning role could be part-time. Commenters also questioned an increase in the Economic Development budget from $25,000 to $75,000 and expressed concern that the County Administrator and County Attorney roles are currently held by the same person, which one speaker described as a potential conflict of interest. Ann Marie Voight (Stevensville District) and Lisa Chandler (Buena Vista District) offered counterpoints, saying some investments—particularly for emergency services—warrant support; Chandler, a former volunteer fire and EMS provider, urged funding for training and equipment.

Other specific items raised included a $5.5 million estimate for a proposed fire station and an assertion during public comment that the EMS budget request exceeded the sheriff’s request by about $1 million. The board did not act on any budgetary items that evening; Simpkins reminded the public that formal action on the tax rate must wait the statutorily required period.

Votes at a glance: the board approved several routine motions earlier in the meeting, including approval of minutes (Feb. 20, Feb. 26, March 11), April warrants and payroll (subject to audit), and appropriations to the School Fund for January ($758,678.57) and February ($769,786.83). The board also approved a Juneteenth parade permit for June 22 and made two appointments to advisory bodies (Social Services Advisory Board: Kim Sadler; Planning Commission: Ed Wilson). All recorded motions noted in the minutes passed by recorded AYES; abstentions on the minutes approvals were recorded for J.L. Simpkins on those items.

What happens next: the Board must wait at least seven days before voting on the proposed tax rates; the FY2025 budget will remain subject to further review and possible amendment before final adoption. The county plans to place an election ordinance item on the May agenda to reflect relocation of a polling place from the Marriott School auditorium into the library area.