Prince George County board votes to advertise FY2027 real estate tax rate at 82¢

The Prince George County board voted to advertise the FY2027 real estate tax rate at 82¢ per $100 of assessed value, directing staff to run the required public notices for an April 28 public hearing and to return for final adoption on May 26.

In the budget work session, county finance staff presented the introduced FY27 budget, noting the introduced real estate rate had been set at 81¢ by consensus but that the board could advertise a lower rate and not increase it later. Staff said one penny of the real estate tax is worth about $416,000 in county revenue and gave example homeowner impacts: a $335,000 assessment would see roughly a $34 annual reduction; $40 at $400,000; $50 at $500,000. Staff also reviewed calendar-year levies: personal property at $3.90, machinery and tools at $1.50 per $100, and manufactured homes billed at 82¢ (manufactured-home bills due June 5 would be calculated on the calendar-year rate).

Why it matters: advertising a rate at 81¢ would lock the advertised maximum and prevent later advertising at a higher number; several members urged caution because state revenue figures remain uncertain and unrealized revenue estimates (including rebates and reclaim) may not materialize. Chairman Cox said he agreed with advertising at 82¢ as a conservative approach, and Philip Pugh moved to advertise at 82¢.

Staff provided revenue context: the introduced budget projected real estate revenue at $33,949,000 compared with the current adopted $34,365,000 (a penny reduction reflected in those totals). The board discussed possible offsets including Fort Lee administrative recoveries and a proposed position-control change in emergency communications that staff estimates would save roughly $28,223 in FY27; the net effect of known changes left a small remaining shortfall that staff expected to cover as state numbers and intergovernmental reimbursements became clearer.

Direct quotes from the meeting included the finance presenter: "By consensus, the real estate tax rate included in the FY27 introduced budget was 81¢, reduced 1p from the current tax rate of 82." Philip Pugh said during the motion: "I will make a motion to advertise at 82¢ for the tax rate." Chairman Cox said, "I am in agreement 82¢," noting concern about relying on unrealized revenues.

The board voted by roll call; the transcript records 'Yes' votes from Hamill, Ford Pugh, Webb, Cox and Philip Pugh. The board directed staff to publish the advertisement for the April 28 tax-rate public hearing and to return with the matter for formal adoption at the scheduled May meeting.

Next steps: staff will place the advertisement in the local paper on the board's direction and prepare materials for the April 28 public hearing and the final adoption vote currently scheduled for May 26. The advertised calendar-year rates for personal property, machinery and tools, and manufactured homes will also be published as required by local code.