Rockingham County adopts FY 2026–27 budget, lowers county tax rate and approves two fire-district tax increases

The Rockingham County Board of County Commissioners on June 1 adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, approving a county property tax rate of 56.9¢ per $100 of assessed valuation and adopting related pay-plan, fee schedule and capital improvement elements.

County manager Lance Messler presented the recommended budget during the public hearing, saying the county faced a roughly $22 million general-fund gap during preparation and proposing a revised general-fund budget of $140,523,568 and a total budget of $192,989,361 across all funds. Messler said the recommended package uses roughly $5.8 million from fund balance to offset the tax-rate reduction and includes targeted position requests and a proposed reinstatement of retiree health coverage for eligible employees.

Sheriff Sam Page, speaking during public comment, framed the budget decision in workforce terms. "Public safety is the first responsibility of government," Page said, urging the board to consider pay and benefits to improve hiring and retention after years in which deputies left for higher pay and hiring bonuses elsewhere.

The board also voted on two fire-district tax-rate requests that arose from district meetings. A motion to raise the Bethany Fire District rate from 12¢ to 15¢ per $100 valuation passed on a voice vote; two commissioners — Hall and Berger/Burger — were recorded in opposition during the roll call. Commissioners debated the adequacy of the district's public-notice process and discussed adding a requirement that districts use the county's emergency/notification system (referred to as Code Red/Local Alert) or other direct-notice tools to reach residents before placing increases on the ballot.

Commissioners subsequently approved an increase for the Monroeton Fire District from 7.1¢ to 11¢ per $100 valuation; the board cited personnel costs as the primary driver and approved that rate by voice vote.

Commissioner Mark Richardson moved to adopt the manager's recommended budget ordinance and associated pay plan and capital-improvement items; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Bethany Fire District tax increase (12¢ → 15¢ per $100): motion carried; Commissioners Hall and Berger/Burger recorded in opposition. - Monroeton Fire District tax increase (7.1¢ → 11¢ per $100): motion carried by voice vote. - FY 2026–27 budget ordinance (county property tax set at 56.9¢ per $100), county pay plan and capital improvement plan: adopted by voice vote.

What happens next The budget ordinance and fire-district rate changes take effect according to the county's usual implementation schedule and any applicable state reporting deadlines. Commissioners asked staff to examine improved resident-notification language to include in county agreements with volunteer fire departments.