Northumberland supervisors agree to advertise FY27 budget hearing and a 57¢ tax rate, set May public hearings

County staff presented the Board of Supervisors with preliminary FY27 budget figures on May 12, outlining tax‑rate scenarios and cost pressures and asking the board how it wished to advertise upcoming public hearings.

“Last meeting, we presented some initial information to you all,” a staff member told the board, noting an equalized rate of 0.4721 and a draft planning rate of 51¢. Staff said a range of 47¢ to 57¢ had been modeled and that a 55¢ rate—based on then‑identified cuts—would produce roughly a 22% change that could cover the county’s 20% unassigned fund balance target plus a 2% budget stabilization fund.

The staff presentation flagged several budget pressures: increasing Virginia Retirement System (VRS) multipliers for hazardous‑duty positions, an added County Admin position, higher IT maintenance costs, greater overtime in emergency services and supplemental illness coverage, and a $289,000 increase in the waste management line that includes household hazardous waste day costs.

Board members discussed scheduling a focused work session to review department budgets and outside agencies. They agreed to meet May 19 to examine departments including the sheriff’s office, EMS and social services. The board also set a budget public hearing for May 28 at 6 p.m. and a separate tax‑rate adjustment hearing for June 4 at 6 p.m.—a requirement staff said is necessary if advertising above the equalized rate.

When staff moved to advertise a 57¢ real‑estate tax rate to “get that advertised” and to also advertise the June 4 tax‑rate hearing, a supervisor said he preferred advertising high to preserve flexibility. “I’d rather advertise it high than… That way, we can at least advertise, start that process,” the supervisor said. The board agreed to proceed with advertising and scheduling as proposed.

Staff cautioned the figures are preliminary and could change as the board identifies cuts or adjustments. The board recessed into a closed session later in the agenda under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss personnel matters and procurement/negotiation topics, then returned and certified the closed meeting by roll call before adjourning.