Smyth County approves $1.12 million budget amendment and a business tax‑recovery contract

The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on April 23 approved Budget Amendment #6, a package of budget adjustments totaling $1,120,029 that includes a $334,000 DCR Flood Resiliency Grant, salary and benefits for a new director at the Appalachian Center for Hope (to be reimbursed to the county), and a request from the county’s CSA program for $749,572.

County Administrator Shawn Utt told the Board CSA had been approximately $749,000 over the FY26 budget and that staff training and administrative changes could help transition appropriate cases to Medicaid to reduce county costs. The Board approved the amendment in a unanimous vote.

Utt also outlined projected FY27 revenue pressures that could leave an estimated $1.4 million deficit, noting possible options such as a real estate tax increase (up to $0.10), a 5% increase in water fees, a 10% increase in sewer fees, and a 5% increase in solid‑waste tipping fees. Utt said final local impacts may depend on the state budget and ongoing debates about tax treatment of data centers.

Commissioner of Revenue Bradley Powers told the Board that a Business Taxation Software solution would not increase his office’s workload and would help identify unreported businesses to grow local business, personal property, meals and sales tax revenues. The Board approved a three‑year contract for $10,500 per year, with the contract to be coordinated through the county IT department.

The Board asked staff to continue developing options for FY27 and to present more detailed revenue projections as state actions become clearer.