Prince George County finance staff updates board on FY27 budget; contingency increases and school funding timing affirmed

Prince George County finance staff gave the Board of Supervisors a multi-topic FY2027 budget update Monday, reporting repairs, contingency movement and the county’s approach to pending state revenue changes.

Betsy Drury, finance staff, said the garage air compressor motor needs a second rebuild and electrical repairs with an estimated cost of $3,000; a current-year transfer was executed so the compressor purchase can be removed from the FY27 appropriation. Drury said taking that purchase out of the draft increases contingency at adoption to roughly $186,273, and that the $32,000 public safety IT reclassification request could be funded from contingency if the board so directed.

Drury also reviewed the personal property book, noting machinery and tools values fell due to the loss of one industry while business furniture and fixtures grew; motor vehicle values are within about 1% of last year but collection rates remain below 100 percent (about 82% collection noted). She said the General Assembly had not completed a final budget and that some state revenues (including DCJS House Bill 599 allocations and bonus language in a caboose bill) typically become clearer in late May or June; any additional state money would be added to the budget by amendment.

On school funding, Drury relayed a school‑division request for assurance that local funding would not be lower than the advertised budget so it could issue employment contracts. Supervisors said maintaining advertised local funding to remain competitive with neighboring localities was important; the board provided consensus to keep local school funding at least at advertised levels so the school division can proceed with contracts.

Drury flagged two procedural notes: the county administrator has authority to approve minor appropriations up to $5,000 (staff agreed to produce quarterly reporting of transactions under that threshold at the board’s request), and contract signature authority in procurement remains at $50,000. Staff asked board members to submit any additional budget changes promptly so staff can prepare the final adoption packet for the May 26 meeting.