Vienna council approves FY2027 budget, lowers real‑estate rate to $0.19 per $100

The Vienna Town Council voted May 18 to adopt a balanced FY2027 operating budget and set the town's real‑estate tax rate at $0.19 per $100 of assessed value, a half‑cent reduction the council framed as modest tax relief for homeowners.

Director of Finance Steve Barlow told the council the budget process began in February and that staff recommended options to preserve services while accommodating pay adjustments. The adopted budget, $58,285,400 in total operating appropriations, funds 3% compensation increases for general staff and 4.5% for police and maintains headcount, Barlow said.

Why it matters: Council members debated whether the town should use reserves to enable a lower rate or keep revenue buffers for rising costs. Council member Francis warned of higher medical premiums and other inflationary pressures; Council member Anderson and others said reserves and attrition savings made a modest cut feasible.

Council member Romakes moved the motion to adopt the budget and the lower tax rate; Council member Nash seconded. The roll call vote on the tax rate was 6–1 in favor, with Council member Baldwin opposed. The mayor cast the deciding aye to meet the supermajority threshold required for the tax change.

The council approved a package of offsets to make the budget balance on the lower rate, Barlow explained: increase planning and zoning fee revenue by $50,000; transfer $50,000 of IT server costs to the capital improvement plan; increase the budgeted use of prior‑year surplus by $200,000; reduce overtime by $50,000; and assume additional attrition savings. Officials said the budget also retains funding for essential services and special event support.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the real‑estate tax rate at $0.19 per $100 (6–1), adopted the FY2027 operating budget as proposed (unanimous), and approved water and sewer rates (see separate article). The council also unanimously reappointed Patricia Eswine to the Conservation & Sustainability Commission and approved a design contract for Southside Park (see separate items).

The council scheduled further oversight and asked staff to monitor turnover and overtime to avoid drawing down reserves. The council also agreed to revisit parts of the budget if conditions change during the year.

The town clerk recorded the final votes; the new tax rate and budget take effect July 1, 2026, when the fiscal year begins.