GUEST COMMENTARY: Troubling Issues Loom over Williamsburg Budget

Concerns include water supply & rising rates, expensive capital improvements, unresolved school contract, massive rezoning & development

(Editor’s Note: This piece contains guest commentary. The opinions expressed below are the authors and not necessarily those of the Williamsburg Independent.)

PART 2 in a series about Williamsburg’s Budget & Finances

The City faces several significant challenges regarding the upcoming FY26 budget and beyond. These include issues with water supply and potential increases in water rates. Other concerns include the City’s increased spending, investment in questionable and expensive infrastructure and aggressive rezoning meant to transform our City with the amorphous goal of “vibrancy,” whatever that means. For too long, secretive officials and special interests have forced their vision of the City on the rest of us. The more we know, the more we can push back on the plans that only serve some in our community.

Costs to live in City keep rising

Real estate taxes, sales taxes and water rates are regressive taxes in that they are assessed irrespective of the income level of residential housing …