County staff outline $22M of deferred capital, position reductions and possible tax increase to close budget gap

County staff said revenues have lagged and proposed a mix of cuts and revenue options to balance the FY27 budget. The presentation described a hiring freeze and spending restrictions already in place, a plan to eliminate at least eight full‑time positions through attrition (no layoffs), potential consolidation of EMS station operations to save approximately $100,000, and suspension of capital improvements amounting to roughly $22 million in deferred work.

“I’m proposing to eliminate at least 8 full time positions. There are no layoffs. This is through attrition,” the county presenter said, while laying out options that also include increasing the real‑estate tax by up to 10¢ (each penny raises about $2.2 million in revenue) and a 5% solid waste disposal fee. Staff emphasized that every penny of the real‑estate tax generates material local revenue and that many numbers remain fluid while the General Assembly and governor finalize state actions.

Officials also told supervisors that the county’s largest expenditure category is personnel and that rising insurance and compensation pressures mean the county will consider step increases for staff (a 2% baseline was mentioned, with the possibility of 3–3.5% depending on state decisions). The budget presentation outlined next steps: public hearings on utility rates, solid waste fee and the county budget with a target to adopt a budget in early June if state actions stabilize revenues.

The board did not vote on the full county budget at the meeting; staff scheduled public hearings for the coming week and noted potential need for a second June meeting for final adoption.