Albemarle County executive proposes $513.7 million FY27 budget with school and public‑safety increases

Jeff Richardson, Albemarle County executive, outlined the county's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget on an online presentation, saying the recommended general fund totals $513.7 million and is balanced on a real‑estate tax rate of 89.4 cents per $100 of assessed value while recommending a 15‑cent increase to the personal property tax rate.

Richardson said the proposed budget directs the county's largest single expenditure—$218.3 million, or 43% of the general fund—to the local public‑school transfer and provides a $34.9 million operating increase for schools (a 7.3% rise). That additional school funding totals $20.7 million in new support, of which Richardson said $11.7 million is expected from the state and $9 million is the recommended local contribution. He said $4.3 million of the increase is allocated to open and operate two new schools, named Mountain View Upper Elementary and Ace Academy at Lamb's Lane.

On public safety, Richardson said the budget responds to a recent staffing study by adding three police officers and three sheriff's deputies, and by converting positions previously funded by FEMA SAFER grants to local funding. "This budget provides funding for fiscal year 27 for three new police officer positions" and includes about $2.3 million to keep police salaries competitive, he said. Richardson said converting federally funded firefighter positions will cost about $1.7 million next year and that an additional $1.3 million is budgeted to maintain fire‑rescue salary competitiveness.

To smooth near‑term uncertainty, Richardson recommended using half a percent of the county's budget stabilization reserve (about $3 million) in FY27 and another half percent in FY28 as a funding bridge while projecting improved revenue prospects in FY29–31. He also proposed a $6.4 million transfer into a CIP reserve to plan future capital projects and serve as a safety net if state or federal school funding declines.

Richardson highlighted concerns about tax‑base composition: residential and multifamily property now represent about 73.6% of the tax base (up from roughly 65.3% in 2015), while the commercial and industrial share declined from about 15% to 11.3%. He said the county intends to pursue tax‑base diversification—including a $4.15 million one‑time economic development fund—to relieve residential pressure and create more revenue capacity.

The FY27 proposal includes targeted social and environmental investments: $7.5 million for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIFF), a 20% increase to the elderly and disabled tax‑relief program, $360,000 for the county emergency relief program to prevent utility disconnections and eviction, $300,000 for climate action projects and continued water‑resources funding. Richardson said that since FY19 the county has invested $24.5 million in affordable housing initiatives, supporting 173 units of construction or preservation and providing shelter or services to hundreds of residents.

Richardson emphasized the county's fiscal policies and a commitment to maintaining a triple‑A bond rating to keep borrowing costs low. He identified five major capital drivers—courts complex, the Ravana futures property purchase and three new schools—totaling roughly $296 million in projects that together increase the county's long‑term debt service (projected to grow from about $34 million to $55 million annually by FY31).

Richardson closed by urging public participation in upcoming town halls and public hearings on the FY27 budget and said the board of supervisors has been reviewing the recommended budget in public sessions over the prior month. "We need to plan ahead and we will continue to for our significant investments," he said.

Ending: The board of supervisors will consider the recommended FY27 budget and any changes must result in a balanced budget before adoption; Richardson encouraged residents to attend town halls and public hearings for further detail and input.