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Wythe County adopts unified code, FY27 budget and several administrative measures; water-rate hearing set
Summary
The board adopted a consolidated county code with a separate fee schedule, approved the FY27 county and school budgets and the 2026 tax levy with no tax increase, and approved routine conveyances, grant acceptances and equipment purchases. A July 14 public hearing was set to consider a 5% water-rate increase and a higher connection fee.
Wythe County supervisors on June 9 adopted a consolidated county code and fee schedule and approved the county and school budgets for fiscal 2027 as well as the 2026 tax levy, all after staff presentations and roll-call votes.
County staff said the new code packages existing ordinances into an online, searchable format (via CivicPlus/Municode) and recommended keeping fees in a separate schedule to allow annual adjustments without ordinance changes. The board voted to adopt the code and set the effective date for July 1.
On the budget, staff said the county must adopt a FY27 budget in advance of a final state budget; supervisors approved the county and school budgets and the CY26 tax levy with no tax increases. Staff said they will adjust appropriations at the June 30 meeting if the state budget is adopted thereafter.
Other actions included approval of an administrative estoppel for Progress Park (see separate article), authorization to convey a former jail parcel consistent with an emergency services agreement with the town, payment of an invoice packet (including repayment of $4.5 million in interim financing after closing with Rural Development), and several year-end grant amendments and awards.
The board also approved acceptance of a VJCA (Virginia juvenile program) memorandum of agreement and authorized grant appropriations, adopted routine appointments to regional commissions, and approved a budget amendment and purchase for a replacement Animal Control vehicle after an insurance total loss.
Separately, the board accepted water- and wastewater-committee recommendations including final change orders on the Barrett Mill Road water project and set a public hearing on July 14 to consider a 5% water-rate increase and a water-connection fee increase to $2,300. The board approved committee recommendations and the schedule for public hearings.
Votes at a glance
- Employee bonus ordinance: approved (motion by Mr. Bernett; roll-call vote). - Former jail property conveyance: approved (motion by Mr. Cook; roll-call vote). - Progress Park estoppel statement: approved (motion by Mr. Cook; roll-call vote). - County code and fee schedule: adopted, effective July 1 (motion by Mr. Morgan; roll-call vote). - FY27 county and school budgets and CY26 tax levy: adopted with no tax increase (motion by Mr. Martin; roll-call vote). - Water-rate public hearing: set for July 14 (committee recommendation approved).
The board recessed for a brief break and later entered and certified a closed session to discuss prospective business/industry projects under the Code of Virginia.
