Williamsburg council reviews FY27 budget as residents press for a new, fully funded library

City staff presented updates to the proposed FY27 budget at a May 11 Williamsburg City Council work session and outlined savings and reallocation options as residents repeatedly urged the council to fund a new library.

The staff presentation said the real estate tax rate would remain at 62¢ per $100 of assessed value and outlined changes since the April 9 draft, including a reduction in proposed general‑fund full‑time equivalents from 13 to 7.5 (a $346,000 expenditure reduction) and about $370,000 in operational efficiencies, producing roughly $716,000 in identified savings. Staff proposed moving some of those savings into capital priorities including completion of the African American Heritage Trail, HVAC work at the Quarterpath emergency shelter and repairs to the Prince George parking garage. The packet also flagged two outstanding commercial assessment appeals with potential revenue exposure of about $232,000; staff said those appeals will not be resolved before adoption.

“Those changes stem from your discussion, also from members of the public and input during the past month,” the staff presenter said, describing the approach and next procedural steps. Staff noted a special council meeting on May 27 to provide more time for public input before the charter deadline to adopt a budget on June 1.

Public commenters focused heavily on the library. Amy Quirk, a resident and leader of the Navigators, told council the current building has accessibility problems and insufficient flexible program space and urged the city to pursue a new library that "thinks about where our community is going to go." Ten‑year‑old Aldo Culp described a child‑led ADA review that found a too‑small elevator, narrow aisles and ramps that were “too steep,” saying a new facility would create space and programming for 8‑ to 12‑year‑olds. Dr. John Whitley asked council to provide "full funding for the complete new library complex — nothing piecemeal, the complete package, the full monty." Several other speakers from differing perspectives urged caution about new debt but acknowledged library limitations.

Budget skeptics pressed financial and process questions. Resident Cole Fairbanks recommended adding transparent fiscal metrics (for example, debt per taxable parcel and per‑parcel tax burden) to show taxpayer impacts; Robert Wilson reviewed Davenport report numbers and argued tax‑supported debt and related obligations could rise sharply if planned projects proceed. Davenport consultant Jimmy Sanderson told council the firm has incorporated potential library debt into prior analyses and that the city remains in compliance with its debt policies; he emphasized the difference between tax‑supported and self‑supporting utility debt and urged use of the city’s policy metrics when assessing affordability.

Council members and staff discussed how the updated budget documents would be posted online: staff said the main budget document would not be rewritten page‑by‑page but that an amendment document will identify the specific lines and pages changed and that all updates would be posted publicly. Councilors thanked staff for identifying operational efficiencies and agreed to continue discussion at the May 27 special meeting.

The work session closed with council moving into closed session for personnel and legal consultation; the body certified the closed session and adjourned afterward. The council is scheduled to consider the budget and related items at its May 14 regular meeting and at a special session on May 27 before the June 1 adoption deadline.