New Kent supervisors debate using Colonial Downs and photo-enforcement funds to reduce tax increase and add deputies
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Summary
County Administrator Hathaway proposed using Colonial Downs funds and reallocating automated speed-enforcement money to reduce a proposed real-estate tax increase and to fund three deputy positions this fiscal year (three more next year); board approved authorization to hire three deputies but members cautioned about using one-time funds for ongoing personnel.
County Administrator Hathaway presented an updated FY27 budget option at the March work session, saying the proposed general fund increase had been reduced and that allocating additional Colonial Downs funds toward debt service would allow the county to cut the proposed real-estate tax rate by one penny to $0.58 per $100 of assessed value.
"The proposed real estate rate is now 58¢ per 100, which is a reduction of 1¢," Hathaway told the board and detailed a $4.8 million net increase in the general fund under the revised plan. He described reallocations — including moving $1,000,000 from a proposed transfer to the general fund into debt service — that lower the tax impact and preserve funding for capital and personnel priorities.
A major point of discussion centered on automated speed enforcement revenues. Hathaway told the board that the county has just over $6.5 million in automated speed-enforcement funding as of recent collections and proposed using part of those funds for vehicles and equipment for new sheriff positions. The board debated whether to use one-time photo-enforcement proceeds for operating costs such as deputy salaries.
"We can clearly use what we've got now and what we collect in this fiscal year for personnel costs in the next fiscal year," the county attorney advised during the discussion, while other supervisors urged caution about relying on funds that could be limited by state legislation after July 1.
Board members agreed to authorize the sheriff to begin the hiring process for three new patrol deputies this fiscal year, with the plan that three additional deputies would be added next fiscal year (for a total of six), subject to final budget approval. The motion to authorize hiring three deputies passed with the following recorded poll: Stewart Aye; Evelyn No; Moyer Aye; Pearson Aye; Stiers Aye.
Several supervisors also asked staff to produce options for further reducing the tax increase by delaying selected capital projects or allocating additional Colonial Downs funds to debt service.
The budget discussion remains open for final decisions when the formal FY27 budget is presented for approval.
