Rockbridge County adopts $68.19 million FY2027 budget; tax rates unchanged for now

The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2027 general fund budget of $68,190,604 and a capital improvement plan of $2,055,423 during its May 11 meeting.

Mister Harrison, the countys finance representative, outlined the budgets and noted an EPA grant fund of $3,000,000 that will be treated as a pass-through to the MSA for a pump project. "The general fund annual budget is at $68,190,604," Harrison told the board as he summarized the primary figures and funding designations.

The board voted to adopt the budget resolution. The motion passed with recorded votes by the five supervisors present. Board members also voted to adopt the CIP resolution for FY2027 through FY2031.

Officials left tax rates unchanged at the May meeting but deferred final action on tax rates to June 18 to allow additional time to account for the still-unfinished state budget. Harrison told the board the county is preparing to issue tax bills on its schedule and noted the county's reserves provide flexibility if later amendments are required.

The adopted rate schedule presented at the meeting shows real estate taxes at $0.64 per $100 of assessed value, mobile homes at $0.64, machinery and tools at $2.55, and personal property at $4.25 with a 30% tax relief provision on personal property. Board members were told the county will continue monitoring interest rates and bond counsel advice regarding a possible partial refunding of the 2026 courthouse bond to lower payments without extending the payment term.

Next steps: the county will publish the adopted budget and the finance staff will prepare any follow-up materials requested by the board; final tax-rate action is scheduled for a June meeting.

(Reporting note: budget and tax figures provided by Mister Harrison during the May 11 meeting.)