Virginia disability board approves $2.03 million FY2027 operational budget and new slate of officers

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities on June 3 approved a $2,030,987 operational budget for state fiscal year 2027 and endorsed a slate of officers for the coming year. The board also confirmed four members’ requests to participate virtually for personal reasons.

Chair Allison Coles-Johnson opened the meeting and noted the Executive Committee had approved electronic participation for Melanie Rice, Jeffrey Katz, Cesar Dulanto and Ginny Conroy; the full board welcomed those members’ participation on the record. Director of Administration Jason Withers presented the fiscal overview, saying the agency’s FY2026 budget totaled $1,901,516, with $1,524,295 already spent and $377,221 remaining. For FY2027, Withers said staff proposed an operational budget of $2,030,987, a 6.8% increase. He told members the board anticipates total revenue of $3,969,250 for FY2027, including a projected Federal FFY 2027 grant award of $1,734,502 and a state general-fund appropriation of $285,410.

After questions about program and training budgets, the Board voted to approve the FY2027 operational budget on a motion by Matthew Shapiro and a second by Thomas Leach; the motion carried unanimously. Earlier in the meeting the Board also unanimously approved the SFY 2027 slate of officers proposed by the Nominations Committee: Allison Coles-Johnson, Chair; Shay Ruff, Vice Chair; Lindsay Pearse, Secretary; and at-large members Conner Cummings, Erika Rogers and Cesar Dulanto.

The board approved the March 4, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. The board adjourned after routine and committee business and a tribute to outgoing members.