Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Smyth County approves multiple budget amendments as officials warn of tight FY27 outlook
Loading...
Summary
The board approved a trio of committee-recommended budget items — rolling $38,930.98 for the Rich Valley Fairground into FY27, $26,000 in opioid-abatement funds to expand Communities‑In‑Schools’ Brighter Paths program, and Budget Amendment #5 (total $349,972) — while administrators warned of state-driven school funding increases and other cost pressures.
Smyth County supervisors on March 12 approved several budget committee recommendations as county staff warned of significant FY27 fiscal pressures.
Director of Community & Economic Development Kendra Hayden asked the board to roll over $38,930.98 remaining from an earlier Rich Valley Fairground loan/grant into FY27 to cover potential maintenance and upgrades; the board approved the rollover unanimously. County staff described the rollover as a continuation of previously authorized funding.
County Administrator Shawn Utt presented an opioid-abatement funding request to increase Communities‑In‑Schools of Appalachian Highlands funding from $12,000 to $26,000 for FY27 to expand the Brighter Paths substance‑use prevention program to all Smyth County schools except the Career Center. "These funds are from the county’s Opioid Abatement ‘Direct Distribution’ and are a way to invest back into the community," Utt said. The board adopted the recommendation.
Utt also described a Department of Social Services request for a budget amendment totaling $906,464 and said that CSA currently supports 46 children at an average cost of about $5,700 per child per month. He recommended extending CSA funding by $200,000 and asked CSA to submit additional requests by April 1 for Board review. Utt additionally noted the inclusion of $149,972 in grant funding related to the Behavioral Health Court established by Commonwealth Attorney Bucky Blevins. The committee recommended and the board approved Budget Amendment #5 (total $349,972) as presented.
Utt warned that the final state budget decisions and rising local costs make FY27 uncertain. He cited a near-$1,000,000 likely increase in required school funding, nearly $700,000 tied to the Anthem insurance increase, and proposed 2–3% local salary increases. To respond, the county has frozen discretionary spending and hiring of vacant positions and will consider expenditure cuts and revenue increases such as real estate, utility and solid waste charges.
"We need to be conservative on revenues and prepare for the requirements being pushed down from the General Assembly," Utt told the board.
The board directed staff to continue consolidating Treasurer accountability details on uncollected taxes and to report back during budget work sessions beginning March 19.