Williamsburg council adopts FY2027 budget after public concerns about reserves and staffing

The Williamsburg City Council adopted Resolution 26-09 on May 27, approving the fiscal year 2027 budget that begins July 1, 2026.

In public comment, resident Carolyn Murphy questioned Schedule C of Resolution 26-09, saying she found what she described as a $20,000,000 discrepancy and reporting her own column total of $18,118,973. Murphy also pressed council on the status of a $5,000,000 CIP carry-forward tied to a live performance venue and asked whether a $361,555 reappropriation of tourism development funds would “close out” that project. She raised concerns about drawing down reserves — noting a reduction from $1,600,000 to $1,435,000 — and asked whether repeatedly using reserves to balance the budget is sustainable.

Sabrina Fairbanks, another resident, urged the council to control head count and discretionary departmental spending. She noted about $1,000,000 in raises included in the plan and a $250,000 line item described in the presentation as the cost of implementing a pay-plan study.

A staff presenter summarized the changes since the council’s May 14 meeting, including additional reductions to the CIP and general fund, FTE reductions and updated real estate assessment appeals. Staff said the $5,000,000 carry-forward previously transferred to an HDRFA account had been returned and relabeled in the budget to its original designation as the live performance venue; staff also said design work has been completed but the project is not yet fully determined to move forward.

Council members and the vice mayor defended the budget process and staff integrity after some public statements suggested improper financial handling. A council member rejected accusations of “cooking the books,” calling such claims “unacceptable” without evidence. Council discussion acknowledged that while some positions were reduced, certain operational and public-safety positions remain in the budget; staff said purchases or projects above $100,000 will return to council for approval while items under $100,000 may be processed by staff.

A motion to adopt Resolution 26-09 carried on a roll call vote. The clerk recorded the following votes in favor: Miss Williams, Miss Ramsey, Mayor Ponds, Vice Mayor Dent and Miss Kernsher. No ‘no’ votes or abstentions were recorded in the transcript. The council approved the spending plan and appropriated funds as presented; the adoption authorizes staff to execute the budget’s spending plan, subject to future council approval for individual expenditures exceeding the council’s $100,000 threshold.

Councilmembers and staff said adoption does not automatically trigger project spending; projects that exceed the council’s procurement/approval thresholds will still require separate approvals. Several councilmembers and staff emphasized ongoing public engagement, including future town halls, and said the budget remains amendable by council action if priorities shift.

The meeting closed the unfinished-business item after the vote and moved on to appointments.