Surry County manager unveils $111.8 million recommended budget; tax rate unchanged

County Manager Chris Knopf presented the Surry County recommended FY 2026‑27 budget on May 18, proposing a $111,841,573 general fund budget (a 3.7% increase) while recommending the property tax rate remain at 51.3¢.

Knopf told commissioners the budget balances core state‑mandated services and local priorities. He highlighted significant near‑term pressures from changes to Medicaid reimbursement that he said would increase the county's required local allocation for the Department of Social Services by “about 42% next year, just over $2,800,000,” and would also drive an 8.8% increase for EMS and a 4.7% increase for the sheriff’s office. Knopf said the county is projecting roughly $4.3 million in additional property and sales tax revenue but warned that decreased EMS revenue and other pressures will consume much of that growth.

Knopf explained that the recommended budget keeps the tax rate unchanged; the revenue‑neutral rate from last year’s revaluation is 49.6¢. He also reviewed capital requests (including school projects and geothermal work in Mount Airy) and noted the recommended increase in landfill tipping fees to $58 per ton and keeping the landfill fee on the tax bill at $57. Knopf set a public hearing for the budget for June 1, with a budget work session scheduled June 2.

Commissioners thanked staff for the “heavy lifting” of budget preparation and asked for further detail in upcoming budget sessions. Several commissioners underscored the strain of Medicaid changes and the importance of federal or state actions that could alter county obligations.