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Lancaster County proposes 5-cent real-estate tax increase in FY27 budget; supervisors hear mixed public reaction
Summary
County Administrator Don Gil presented the proposed FY27 budget, which would raise the advertised real-estate tax rate from 55 to 60 cents, fund a 3% staff raise, absorb a 7% health-insurance increase, and add a $232,000 hazardous-duty supplement for EMS; the board held a public hearing with residents debating school funding and local priorities.
County Administrator Don Gil presented Lancaster County’s proposed fiscal-year 2027 budget at the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 23, outlining an advertised real-estate tax rate of 60 cents (a 5‑cent increase from the current 55 cents), a 3% pay raise for all full‑time county staff and a county‑absorbed 7% increase in health‑insurance costs.
Gil also said the proposed budget includes a hazardous‑duty supplement for emergency medical services personnel to bring EMS employees in line with law‑enforcement supplements; the county estimates that adding 15 EMS workers to that supplement would cost about $232,000.
The budget was advertised following six budget work sessions. Gil told the board the code of Virginia requires at least seven days after the public hearing before adoption, and the board has scheduled a proposed adoption date of May 28. The county must adopt a budget by July 1 under state law.
Public hearing comments were mixed. One resident questioned recurrent school‑funding increases and cited a published “fail rate” for reading and math; other residents defended Lancaster County schools and urged continued investment. Several speakers expressed support for parks and capital projects, saying maintenance and operating budgets must follow capital spending.
What the numbers mean: The advertised 60‑cent real‑estate rate is the upper bound the board can adopt without re‑advertising; it does not require that the board ultimately set that exact rate. Don Gil said the personal property tax rate would remain at $24 (no change). The advertised budget includes the 3% employee raise and absorbs higher insurance costs rather than passing them to employees.
Next steps: The board held the public hearing on April 23 and may adopt the budget, with or without modification, at its May 28 meeting. State code requires at least seven days between the public hearing and final adoption.
