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Smyth County leaders present tight FY27 budgets; board weighs cuts, consolidation and possible tax increases
Summary
School and county leaders told the Board of Supervisors on May 14 that both the School Board and county face constrained FY27 budgets. Proposals include personnel reductions, consolidation of EMS services, and potential increases to real estate and utility fees to balance county finances.
Chair Charlie Atkins presided as School Superintendent Dr. Brad Haga and County Administrator Shawn Utt presented competing budget pressures facing Smyth County in FY27.
Dr. Haga told the board the School Board’s proposed FY27 budget is balanced at $70,960,572. He said state funding for schools is projected at $47,687,680, an increase of $581,891 over FY26, while federal funding would fall to $6,031,506, down $566,427. Dr. Haga said salary costs for school employees were budgeted at $39,971,299 to cover a 2% cost-of-living increase, and he warned the total could rise to 3–3.5% depending on the governor’s final budget. He also said 23% of Smyth County students are identified as having special needs and announced the School Board’s planned adoption of the STAR academy and forthcoming facility reviews, noting some school buildings had not had a facilities review since about 2008.
County Administrator Shawn Utt outlined the county’s more constrained outlook. Utt said FY26 revenues declined and FY27 planning is conservative. To help balance the county budget staff proposed eliminating eight full-time positions (staff said the change reflects employee relocation rather than layoffs), suspending the capital improvements plan, and consolidating EMS services by closing the Atkins EMS station and combining operations with Saltville. Utt said staff also prepared budget scenarios that would include increases to real estate tax rates, solid waste fees and utility fees if further reductions did not close the gap.
Board members pressed staff on personnel and public-safety impacts. Park District Supervisor Kris Ratliff and Chair Atkins both said they wanted to avoid layoffs where possible; Atkins recommended delaying proposed deputy salary increases until after officers complete certification. Sheriff’s Office requests were discussed separately: the Sheriff’s Office had asked for a $5,000 salary increase for full-time deputies to improve recruitment, which Utt estimated would add about $255,000 to the county budget if adopted.
The board did not adopt any final budget decisions at the May 14 meeting. Utt said staff would continue refining numbers and bring further details to upcoming meetings. The School Board’s facility reviews and the potential adjustment to employee pay remain active items for follow-up.
