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County presents $48.9 million FY2027 draft budget; staff weigh advertising higher tax rate to boost reserves
Summary
County Administrator Tadlock presented a $48,878,924 draft FY2027 budget and a proposed tax rate of $0.51; staff discussed the possibility of advertising a 57-cent rate to increase contingency and reserves per Davenport recommendations, but asked the administrator to confirm numbers before any formal advertising.
County Administrator Tadlock presented the county’s draft FY2027 budget at the May 7 special meeting, totaling $48,878,924 and proposing an adjusted tax rate of $0.51. Tadlock said the equalized tax rate following reassessment is $0.4721, and the county’s undesignated fund balance is approximately $7.7 million.
Tadlock described budgeted salary and benefit changes, including a 2% proposed salary increase on the county side, an anticipated about 2% rise in health insurance, and changes to the Virginia Retirement System multipliers for hazardous duty that would raise employer rates. Commissioner of Revenue Todd Thomas said he left the land-use program unchanged to support farmers and compared county practice to neighboring Westmoreland.
Dr. Pica urged caution about dipping further into reserves and relayed Davenport’s recommendation to add 2% of the budget to reserves and 2% of expenses to contingency funds. Tadlock said advertising at a 57-cent rate would be necessary to reach the higher reserve level but would confirm his on-the-spot numbers before the board advertises a rate. The board requested a resolution to be presented at the May 14 regular meeting and planned a budget work session for May 12, 2026.
