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Waynesboro public hearing on proposed 5¢ tax increase draws strong school-funding debate
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Summary
City staff proposed a FY2027 general-fund budget of $77.3M with a recommended $0.05 real-estate tax increase (to 87¢) to help fund the high-school project and other needs, and proposed 5% water/sewer and $2 refuse increases; public commenters urged council to honor the longstanding school funding formula and questioned utility rate impacts.
City staff introduced the FY2027 budget proposal and opened a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and related ordinances; council then heard more than a dozen citizens who emphasized school funding, affordability and service outcomes.
Finance director Mr. Ham told council the recommended general-fund budget is $77,300,000 — about $4.9 million (7%) higher than the current year — and that the proposal relies on a $0.05 increase in the real-estate tax rate (to 87¢). He said $0.03 of the 5¢ increase is intended to fund debt service for the Waynesboro High School project and that enterprise funds would see proposed 5% water and sewer increases and a $2 monthly refuse increase.
During the public hearing, Mary McDermott (senior citizen) asked the council to “honor that formula” for school funding and said she would support the 87¢ rate only if the council keeps the funding formula intact. Laura Bridal, a local teacher and property owner, told council the increase is worth it if it funds schools and other services and warned against capping school funding as previously proposed.
Several residents opposed higher taxes and utility increases on affordability grounds. A constituent raised concerns about pedestrian-safety issues (crosswalks, lights) and asked that new revenue be paired with visible public-safety improvements.
Other public speakers — including parents and business owners — urged the council not to change the city’s longstanding school-funding formula and asked the council to make its financial data public and hold promised joint meetings with the school board.
After public comment council closed the hearing and moved to introduce the ordinances related to tax rates, utility fees and the budget. Each ordinance was introduced and scheduled for final consideration at the May 11 regular meeting. No final votes on rates or budget appropriations were taken on Monday.
Next steps: council will consider final ordinances at the May 11 meeting after additional budget work sessions.
