Roanoke County supervisors review proposed $285.1 million FY2027 budget; hearings set

County Administrator Richard Kwood presented a proposed $285.1 million Roanoke County fiscal year 2027 budget on March 24, outlining spending priorities, staffing changes and a schedule for public hearings and final adoption.

Kwood said the largest single allocation is a $113.6 million transfer to the public schools, roughly 40% of the total. "The largest proportion, just under 40%, goes to the public schools with a transfer of $113.6 million," he said, and he broke that amount into approximately $97 million for local support, about $13 million for debt service on capital and roughly $3.7 million for the Children’s Services Act. Kwood added that schools will receive an additional $2.6 million from the state, which he said helps offset an estimated $3 million reduction under the county’s revenue-sharing formula with the school division.

The proposed budget would allocate about $83.3 million (roughly 29%) to public safety and about $38 million (around 13%) to support functions such as information technology and administration. Community and human services — including libraries, parks and solid waste — are budgeted at about $33.5 million, or roughly 12%, with capital and debt services and regional programs each representing about 3% of the total.

On personnel, the plan includes a 2% anchor increase within the STEP pay system for public safety employees; Kwood said that produces total raises between about 3.25% and 4.25% depending on step. He also proposed a 3% increase for non-public-safety employees and 11 new positions countywide. Nine of the proposed positions are for the Department of Social Services; Kwood said about 80% of the salary costs for those positions would be reimbursed by the state, and the remaining local share would be split with the city of Salem (the presentation described a 40% local share for the county on the remaining portion).

Under planned capital spending, Kwood proposed using $1.5 million from the capital improvement plan toward the purchase of a fire engine and an ambulance and noted additional fleet needs including police vehicles and light-duty trucks for fire, rescue and solid waste.

"While no immediate fiscal challenges exist, long-term sustainability will require thoughtful planning," Kwood said, describing options such as adjustments to the tax structure, modifications to service levels or changes to school funding arrangements.

The board set a public hearing on tax rates for April 7, a first public hearing on the budget for April 28, a second public hearing on May 12 and adoption of the budget for May 26.

The board approved appointments and the consent agenda without discussion. No members of the public signed up for citizen comment, and reports presented by supervisors were approved without further action. Supervisor Hooker highlighted VOTE's work on the Fort Lewis Bridge replacement; Supervisor Mahoney thanked Mr. Lerman for showing him Old Orchard Farm ahead of a rezoning petition; Vice Chair Radford noted an upcoming state redistricting vote; and Supervisor North reiterated the importance of the budget process. Chair Shepard congratulated Natalie Maxi on being named county police officer of the year and Lieutenant Caitlyn Ward as county first responder of the year.

Full board meetings are available on Roanoke Valley Television’s YouTube page. The next Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 2 p.m.