Southampton County unveils $93.8 million FY2027 draft budget; no tax-rate increase
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Summary
Acting county administrator Lynette Lowe presented a $93,786,279 draft FY2027 budget on April 8 that includes a 3% COLA, new positions and a proposed $3.86 million financing plan for two DEQ-mandated wells; the board moved the budget public hearing to May 20.
Acting County Administrator Lynette Lowe presented the Southampton County Board of Supervisors with the FY2027 draft consolidated budget of $93,786,279 at the board’s April 8 meeting, saying the proposal represents a 6.71% increase from the prior year while keeping tax rates and water and sewer rates unchanged. "Please note there are no increases in tax rates and no increase of water and sewer rates," Lowe said.
Lowe said the draft sets general fund expenditures (excluding transfers) at $28,648,488, a 1.63% increase, and incorporates a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. The draft proposes two new county positions — an inspector in community development and a maintenance worker in buildings and grants — and consolidates funds in county administration to phase in compensation-study recommendations when the board decides on timing.
The school fund in the draft shows total expenditures of $41,570,425, an 8.01% increase from the prior year, with the required local effort rising from $9,115,046 in FY2026 to $10,508,319 in FY2027 (an increase Lowe attributed to a change in Virginia’s local composite index). Lowe said the school budget includes a 2% COLA and proposes purchase of five new school buses.
Lowe flagged a major capital need in the enterprise (water and sewer) fund: DEQ has required the county to construct two new wells drawing from the Potomac Aquifer for portions of the county that currently draw from the Virginia Beach aquifer. She said construction deadlines are Oct. 19, 2031, for the first well and Oct. 19, 2033, for the second. The draft shows enterprise-fund expenditures at $8,513,679 and identifies a potential project cost and loan proceeds of $3,860,000 pending board approval and financing. "Timmons Group is under contract as of 03/20/2026 to provide assistance with permitting and constructing the new wells," Lowe said, and added that the county would seek a reimbursement resolution and work with financial advisers if the board approves drilling.
The capital projects (building) fund is proposed at $9,838,976, down 13.47% from the prior year, a change Lowe attributed to completion of courthouse construction and progress on the public-safety radio project. Fire and rescue departments are slated to receive an increase in capital funding of $610,500, she said, to address rising equipment costs.
Lowe described the draft as a starting point: "I have respectfully submitted this 04/08/2026 draft budget as a starting point for discussion," she said, inviting board questions. Following her presentation, the board approved a calendar change to move the budget public hearing from May 13 to May 20 to meet required timing for adoption and review.
Next steps: the board will continue budget work at scheduled meetings the week of April 15 and April 22, with a public hearing on May 20 before any final adoption vote.
