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County staff report budget finalization, festival funding and school funding shortfall
Summary
Officials said the Board finalized the county budget based on state numbers, set aside funding for next year's Liberty At The Lake festival, and the county covered a $750,000 shortfall for schools after state funding declined due to reduced enrollment.
Ex‑Officio Jesse Burnett told the commission the Board finalized the County budget using the state‑provided numbers; he noted he did not attend a recently held joint meeting with the Towns of Wytheville and Rural Retreat but heard it went well.
Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins reported the Board has set aside funding for the 2027 Liberty At The Lake festival and said staff will hold a debrief to plan improvements and address issues raised this year. "The Board has set aside funding for the festival next year. We will have a meeting to debrief and figure out what we need to do or what could be changed. I encouraged input from anyone that would help us next year," Hankins said.
On school funding, Burnett said that a loss of students reduced state aid; to balance the budget the County funded the schools an additional $750,000. He added the schools did not overspend last year and therefore had a carryover. The Cannery's opening was also discussed: Mr. Burnett stated it is scheduled to open July 17, pending inspection.
