Gloucester County adopts FY2027 budget, raises meals and cigarette taxes and withholds final school appropriation pending state action

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors approved the county—s fiscal year 2027 budget and several tax changes at a meeting on April 30, 2026, after hours of public comment and internal debate.

Board members voted to adopt the budget as amended, with staff noting the appropriation would withhold the final percentage point for school compensation until the Commonwealth clarifies its contribution. Miss Callaway, the county—s budget staff, told the board the appropriation language would allow the county to budget for a 3% school compensation increase while only appropriating the amount actually funded by the state.

Why it matters: The package changes the county—s revenue mix and modestly increases the immediate tax burden for some residents and businesses while preserving flexibility on school raises. The actions fund three school resource officers, a community engagement coordinator, and a grants-writer position and maintain a $9.7 million school construction fund for Gloucester High School and a related project.

The board also reduced planned civic contributions relative to an earlier draft: it agreed by consensus to level-fund existing civic recipients except for Bay Transit and the Gloucester Matthews Humane Society, which received their requested increases, producing roughly $86,052 in savings from the earlier spreadsheet.

Public input and debate: Dozens of residents urged caution on new taxes and highlighted the economic importance of the boat and marina industry during public comment. Several marina owners and related business operators warned that a new boat tax would drive boats and related spending out of Gloucester, while other speakers urged prioritizing basic services such as police, fire and water over discretionary spending.

Votes at a glance - Fiscal year 2027 budget resolution: Approved (motion carried; roll call recorded several yeas and nos; appropriation language adjusted to withhold the final school appropriation pending state action). The board moved and seconded the resolution and a roll call was read; the motion passed. - Ordinance setting tax levies (calendar year 2026): Approved; the taxable real estate rate was shown as 0.583 in the presentation. - Ordinance amending the meals tax to the maximum permitted by state code (6%): Approved. Roll-call votes recorded two "no" votes (Mr. Krisco and Miss Hansen) and a majority "yes." - Ordinance instituting a cigarette tax and companion ordinance to join the cigarette tax board: Both ordinances passed on roll call. - Resolution appropriating funds for fiscal year 2027: Approved as amended (with the appropriation adjusted per earlier discussion to withhold the last school increment until state confirmation). - Resolution establishing personal property tax relief rates: Approved.

What the board said: "We are moving forward with the number; we are not going to appropriate the last percentage point to go from 2% to 3% until we find out exactly what the state is going to fund," said Mr. Krisco during the budget discussion. Miss Callaway explained the budget adjustments made during a recess and confirmed the civic contributions line had been changed to $553,605 to reflect level funding with the two exceptions.

Next steps: The county will finalize appropriation details when the state communicates its school compensation decision; staff will execute the transfers and ordinance updates approved by the board.

Sources: Board discussion and roll-call votes recorded at the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 30, 2026.