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Wythe County authorizes May 26 public hearings after FY27 draft shows $3.8M reserve use
Summary
County Administrator Stephen D. Bear presented a FY27 draft showing a significant deficit and reliance on $3.8 million from unassigned reserves to balance the budget; the Board authorized public hearings on the FY27 county and school budgets and Calendar Year 2026 tax rates for May 26.
County Administrator Stephen D. Bear told the Wythe County Board on May 12 that the draft FY27 expenditure plan shows a significant revenue-to-expenditure gap. To avoid a local tax increase in the draft, the proposal uses $3.8 million from the county’s unassigned reserves and relies on an additional $2.5 million for school operations, a primary driver of the shortfall.
"To balance the budget without a local tax increase, the proposal utilizes $3.8 million from the County’s unassigned reserve funds," Bear said as he outlined reductions to requested capital projects and personnel to limit additional spending. He said retained capital items include $343,000 for emergency services equipment and $250,000 for the scheduled property reassessment.
The Board unanimously authorized a public hearing for May 26, 2026, on the Fiscal Year 2027 county and school expenditure and revenue budgets. The Board also authorized a May 26 hearing on Calendar Year 2026 tax rates, with no proposed changes advertised.
Supervisors pressed staff on transparency and post-hearing adjustments: Bear confirmed the Board retains authority to reduce or reallocate appropriations after public hearings and to withhold or restrict quarterly appropriations regardless of advertised totals. Supervisor Rolland R. Cook observed the county reduced the JIDA allocation to prior levels and asked that the JIDA’s Special Project Fund be returned to the county general fund; staff said discussions with town representatives and counsel had occurred.
Bear also confirmed the Sheriff was notified that requested full-time positions are not included in the draft and may address that at the public hearing.
Next steps: the Board will hold the authorized public hearings on May 26; subsequent budget revisions or appropriation decisions can be made by the Board after public comment and as final state revenue figures are confirmed.
