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Pittsylvania County holds public hearings on water, school and county budgets; resident links tax increases to past data‑center controversy
Summary
Pittsylvania County held public hearings June 4 on proposed water and sewer rate increases, the FY2027 school budget ($132.4 million) and the FY2027 county budget ($264.9 million). No budget votes were taken; one resident tied recent tax and fee increases to the county's prior 'Balco' data‑center dispute.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors held public hearings June 4 on proposed increases to water and sewer rates, the FY2027 school budget and the FY2027 county budget; the board took no votes on those budgets at the meeting.
County staff, identified in the record as Miss Vanderhide, told the board a water and sewer rate study performed about four to five years ago recommended phased rate increases to keep pace with inflation and to provide funding for capital infrastructure. "Water and sewer infrastructure is very expensive," Miss Vanderhide said, and staff noted the proposed rate changes were advertised and posted on the county website for public review.
During the public-hearing period for the water and sewer proposal, no one had preregistered to speak. An attendee who identified himself as Aubrey stepped to the podium and linked recent tax and fee increases to the county's previous handling of what he called the "Balco" controversy over data-center development. Aubrey said, "if we had the Balco money, we would not be facing a tax increase," arguing the county lost potential revenue tied to that matter. The board closed the water-and-sewer public hearing and took no immediate action.
On the school budget, staff told the board the FY2027 school budget totals roughly $132.4 million, which includes both operating and cafeteria budgets. The county staff noted the school board held its own public hearing and provided documentation by category; no members of the public registered to speak during the county's school-budget hearing.
County staff also summarized the broader FY2027 county budget, which the record shows totals $264.9 million and incorporates the school budget. The board opened and closed the county-budget public hearing with no speakers signed up. Staff and the board said the full budget, which includes the school allocation, will be voted on at the board's June 16 meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved the agenda by electronic vote; the motion passed unanimously. Toward the end of the session, a board member (Mr. Sher) stated that Dr. Mayhew had asked to be excused to attend the Dan River baseball regional final in Martinsville. With no further business the chair adjourned the meeting.
No ordinances, resolutions or budget votes were adopted during the June 4 public hearings; the board said it will act on the budget at its scheduled June 16 meeting.
