Board holds budget hearing, advances budget items and sets tax rate at $0.60

The Washington County Board of Supervisors on March 26 held a public hearing on the recommended county operating budget for fiscal year 2024'25, heard a series of funding requests from local organizations and institutions, gave tentative approval to most line items, and adopted the real property tax rate at 60 cents per $100 of assessed value.

During the public hearing nonprofit and institutional presenters described local needs. Adam Hutchison, president of Virginia Highlands Community College, said the college's request follows a long-standing county formula and asked the county to consider the full formula amount of "$96,225" for the college plus "$30,000" for the Small Business Development Center, a combined request he characterized as essential to student support and workforce training. Mickey Hines, manager at Virginia Highlands Airport, presented a total request of "$540,315" that includes local matches for FAA and state grants and a $225,000 local match tied to a tobacco-fund Westside Development project.

After discussion, the board gave tentative approval to most budget items in grouped packets, tabled the school budget item and a mowing contract (moved earlier to April 9), and agreed to revisit the Abingdon fire department line item at the April 23 meeting. Board materials noted the tentative budget includes $300,000 in new funding for all fire and EMS agencies with just over $33,000 identified for one department.

Tax action: The board adopted a resolution setting the county real property tax rate at $0.60 per $100 of assessed value (no increase for tax year 2024). The motion to set the rate was seconded and recorded as a seven-zero vote in favor.

Why it matters: Setting the tax rate finalizes a key parameter for tax bills while the tentative budget allocations guide department and agency funding for the coming year. Several local service providers said county support enables programs such as Head Start, college dual-enrollment, airport matching projects, and youth sports.

What comes next: The board will return to remaining items on future agendas (school budget and pulled items) before final adoption. County staff indicated reassessments and appeals later in the year could inform future tax-rate decisions.