Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smyth County schedules May 21 public hearings after officials say FY27 budget faces $2.5 million shortfall
Summary
County Administrator Shawn Utt told supervisors that proposed tax and utility rate increases still leave a $2.5 million shortfall in the FY27 budget; the Board scheduled public hearings for May 21 and approved several quarter‑end appropriations as staff continue to trim spending.
Smyth County officials said on April 9 that despite proposed revenue changes a $2.5 million gap remains in the fiscal 2026‑27 budget, prompting supervisors to schedule public hearings on May 21.
County Administrator Shawn Utt summarized the county’s fiscal position, saying that an increase to real‑estate taxes, a proposed 5% water‑fee increase, a 10% sewer‑fee increase and a 5% rise in solid‑waste tipping fees still “leaves a $2.5 million deficit in the FY27 budget.” Utt told the Board he is pursuing additional reductions, recommended switching to semiannual real‑estate tax billing to improve cash flow, and said final school funding remains uncertain pending the General Assembly’s budget.
The Board voted unanimously to schedule public hearings on proposed real‑estate tax, water and sewer utility rate increases, and solid‑waste rate increases for 5 p.m. on May 21, 2026. Supervisors said the hearings will give citizens an opportunity to comment before the Board finalizes any changes.
While discussing appropriations for the fourth quarter, the Board approved committee recommendations to fund County Administration requests totalling $13,071,000, the School Board’s fourth‑quarter appropriations request of $17,232,463, and the Department of Social Services’ fourth‑quarter request of $1,773,636. The Budget Committee also recommended and the Board approved an invoice of $16,929.51 for replacement doors at the Adwolfe Fire Department as part of an approved building‑improvements project.
Several supervisors pressed for options to reduce costs and improve collections. Royal Oak District Supervisor Courtney Widener and others supported advertising delinquent real‑estate accounts in the Smyth County News & Messenger as a cost‑saving collection step; the Board approved partnering with Treasurer Tom Burkett to publicize delinquent accounts.
The Board’s next scheduled steps are the May 21 public hearings and additional Budget Committee work on April 16, where Utt said he expects to present further reductions.
