Public hearing on Montgomery County’s $285.7M FY2027 budget spotlights school funding and staffing debates

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing April 9 on the advertised FY2027 budget of $285,739,377 and a proposed $4.1 million transfer to the school operating fund.

Residents who spoke at the hearing offered contrasting views on whether the advertised 5¢ increase in the real‑estate tax rate and the county's budget priorities are necessary to support public education and county services.

Nick Fisher of Blacksburg urged the supervisors to prioritize education investment and to press state legislators for changes to the state school finance formula, citing examples where court decisions and state reforms shifted funding. “Local communities, in many cases, cannot handle the burden of cost on their own,” Fisher told the board, arguing that a modest per‑household increase supports long‑term returns in community outcomes.

Several speakers offered data‑focused critiques and defenses. Anna Vijayan (District A) said her FOIA review showed the school budget proposes 20.5 new positions while the county proposes 6.5 (excluding the utilities division), and she presented percentage increases in personnel spending that, in her view, justify the school request. Kim Bowman and Bob Barbetti questioned sustainability: Bowman pointed to falling student enrollment over recent years alongside multi‑million‑dollar budget growth; Barbetti warned that rising per‑student costs and declining enrollment create an unsustainable trajectory.

Supporters of the budget, including Kelly Brennan and Laura Brown, said investment in schools and essential county services is appropriate. Brennan described county government as well managed and urged continued focus on affordability and housing equity; Brown said higher school pay is necessary to retain staff and keep the division competitive.

The hearing record contains speaker‑provided calculations and comparisons that the board and budget staff will need to verify against official financial documents. No vote was taken during the April 9 meeting; the Chair closed the hearing and reminded the public of a budget work session on April 13 where the advertised budget and tax rates will be discussed further.

What happens next: the board will consider public testimony and staff materials in upcoming budget sessions before any formal adoption vote on rates or the FY2027 budget.