Public hearing on Northumberland County FY27 budget draws library funding appeals and worries about tax hikes; board advances school spending and emergency, CIP

Residents and outside agencies told the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors on May 28 that the proposed FY27 budget must protect local services — particularly the public library — and spare fixed‑income households from steep tax increases, while the board took several fiscal actions related to schools and approved emergency finance contracts.

At the start of the public hearing, county staff announced the proposed total county budget as $51,596,284 and explained the advertised 57‑cent 'not to exceed' rate is intended to give the board flexibility during budget work sessions; by code the board could not take final tax‑rate action at the hearing and must wait the seven‑day statutory period.

Library trustees led public comments. "I'm here tonight representing the library," said Susan Rubberry, identifying herself as a member of the board of trustees and asking the board to support the library's $300,000 line item request. She outlined the library's programs for children, computer‑literacy and a mobile library truck, and noted that the pocket park behind the library was funded through grants and fundraising. Other trustees echoed the request and described outreach services for seniors and students.

Several residents urged caution on tax changes. Sam Guthrie, who described decades of budget experience, said he was "shocked" by news headlines saying taxes could rise and criticized what he called a lack of internal accountability: "When I saw the headline... that said my taxes are going to go up 21% I went, you've got to be kidding me," he said, and offered to share his analysis. Retiree AR Campbell said fixed‑income residents struggle to absorb repeated increases and urged stricter spending controls.

Outside agencies also addressed the board. Ann Clark, executive director of Legal Aid Works, requested level funding and described civil legal services for low‑income residents, saying her office secured more than $64,000 in awards or avoided claims for Northumberland residents last year. Linda Hodgeges and Michelle Wells represented Guest, a regional homeless‑services program, and asked the county for $5,000 to help house people at risk of homelessness.

Board business later in the meeting included three formal fiscal actions: the board approved a $9,000 supplemental appropriation from the school CIP to cover a permit invoice for well work and authorized a handwritten check so the permit could proceed; the board moved and approved the fiscal‑year 2027 school division appropriation as presented; and, after a closed session, authorized the county administrator to enter emergency contracts with Jerry Beckard for financial advisory services and with Cordia Recruiting and Staffing LLC for interim finance‑director services, both to be evaluated monthly. The board also discussed identifying prior‑year reimbursement funds (about $322,000 cited by staff) and a booster fundraising effort as potential sources for a proposed playground CIP project.

What’s next: the board will continue work sessions and budget adjustments in the coming weeks before setting a final tax rate; staff will process transfers of identified prior‑year reimbursements so the board can act on CIP allocations for playgrounds and buses at the next meeting.