King George Board adopts $146.7 million FY2026–27 budget and appropriates funds for schools and one-time bonuses

The King George County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the fiscal year 2026–27 operating budget and to appropriate the funding necessary to implement that budget, including the school operating allocation and a locally funded portion of a state-mandated one-time salary bonus.

The board adopted the budget in the total amount of $146,683,998 after the statutory seven-day wait following the public hearing. Roll call recorded "Aye" votes from Mr. Metz, Mr. Straub, Ms. Bender, Mr. Davis and the Chair.

Separately, the board appropriated the school operating budget by major classification in the total amount of $69,821,608. The appropriation motion was seconded and carried by roll call.

Implementation details and one-time bonus: Staff briefed the board on a General Assembly-authorized, one-time 2% salary bonus for state-supported local positions (social services staff, general registrars and members of the electoral board). The county is responsible only for the employer payroll-tax (FICA) share of the bonus; staff recommended appropriating $38,000 from the general‑fund balance to cover that cost. The board approved the appropriation and set the bonus payout date for July 24, 2026.

Why it matters: County and school budgets direct local service levels for schools, public safety, infrastructure and social services. Board members noted the budget process used one-time funds ($2.5 million) and some savings ($800,000) to smooth tax impacts and that staff will continue to watch inflationary pressures and service demands.

What's next: Staff will implement the appropriations and move forward with contracted projects, ARPA reimbursement submittals and the rate-study schedule presented to the Service Authority earlier in the meeting. The board thanked finance and administrative staff for completing the multi-month budget effort.