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Franklin County supervisors back 4-cent tax scenario, prioritize fire apparatus and school funding
Summary
At a May 13 work session the Franklin County Board of Supervisors discussed two budget scenarios based on a 4-cent real estate tax; members signaled support for a scenario that funds fire apparatus and school bus replacement while relying on some personnel and non-personnel cuts.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors discussed competing budget scenarios at a May 13 work session and signaled broad support for a 4-cent real estate tax plan that adds funding to public safety equipment and school capital accounts while identifying personnel and program reductions to balance the books.
County Administrator Steven Sandy and finance staff presented two scenarios that both assume a 4-cent real estate tax and no new meals tax. Both scenarios show new revenue of about $337,752 and propose directing funds to fire apparatus (adding $650,000 toward an account with a $1 million target) and school bus replacement ($400,000 toward a $1 million target). The presentations also listed possible cuts and adjustments including vacancy and non-personnel savings, varying treatment of regional jail per diem, and a difference in how additional EMS/fire positions would be phased.
Board members debated trade-offs including restoring family liaison positions in the school division, quarterly allocation of local school funding, and a one-time $30,000 request from Friends of Ferrum Park. Supervisor Tim Tatum reiterated his support for the $30,000 allocation for the park and emphasized local community contributions. Chair Lorie Smith asked staff to provide updated vacancy-savings figures and requested a new draft budget for the Board packet ahead of the May 19 regular meeting.
No formal vote was taken on a single scenario during the work session; staff noted that Scenario 1 had the most support by the end of the discussion but Board members continued to express different priorities. The Board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session (motion by Supervisor Tim Tatum, seconded by Supervisor Mike Meredith; Resolution #04-05-2026) and later adjourned the joint meeting with the Planning Commission at 6:52 p.m. (motion by Supervisor Mike Meredith, seconded by Supervisor Dan Quinn; Resolution #05-05-2026).
What happens next: county staff will produce a new draft budget for distribution before the May 19 meeting and will provide the vacancy-savings figures requested by the Chair. The Board asked staff to allocate local school funding on a quarterly basis pending further discussion.
