INFOGRAPHICS: Interactive Budget Data for Historic Triangle Communities
Primers for Williamsburg, James City and York, just in time for budget season
As budget season around the Historic Triangle ramps up for FY26, we thought it might be helpful to put together a few numbers as a bit of a refresher. First up in our review is a broad look at tax rates and adopted budgets across our region. Then, we dive into details about each of the jurisdictions that make up the Historic Triangle — Williamsburg, James City County and York County. We cover both what could happen in FY26, as well as a look back at what has happened since FY21.
Many of the maps and graphics below are interactive. So click on them to dive into some of the budget numbers that help shape our local communities.
Focus: regional tax and budget comparisons
In order to gain a broader perspective on the taxes and budgets being considered locally, we take a brief look at different jurisdictions that surround the Historic Triangle. Our analysis stretched all the way from rural Charles City County, all the way to Virginia Beach, and included just about everything in between.
Real estate tax rates around the region
During the review of other local jurisdictions, we found that Portsmouth has the highest adopted FY25 real estate tax rate of $1.30/$100 assessed value, while Gloucester has the lowest at $.583/$100 assessed value.
As for the Historic Triangle, the real estate tax rates for FY25 were:
Williamsburg $.62/$100
York County’s is $.74/$100
James City County $.78/$100 (enacted a temporary 5 cent discount last year).
Adopted FY25 budgets around the region
The size of various communities and jurisdictions in our region varies widely. Of those we reviewed, Virginia Beach (population: 460K) has the highest adopted FY25 budget at $2.6B, while Charles City has the lowest at $22.5M (population: 6600).
The locally adopted FY25 budgets were:
Williamsburg (pop:16K) - $94.5M
York (pop: 71K) - $265.4M
James City County (pop: 84K) - $283.2M
Focus: Historic Triangle
Comparing regional spending on key services like schools, public safety, and infrastructure allows for benchmarking performance, which we can be used to assess the success and efficiency of local programs. Additionally, understanding regional spending trends informs policy decisions and budget priorities, ensuring resource allocation aligns with community needs and regional standards. Furthermore, these comparisons can support requests for state and federal funding.
School spending typically tops General Fund expenditures
The biggest line item in the General Fund for both James City County and York County is public schools. Though Williamsburg’s total spending percentage on education is lower than surround jurisdictions, the City ultimately spend around the same per student as James City County in support of the joint school system. Future costs for each jurisdiction remain unknown as new joint operating contract is currently being negotiated.
Public Safety expenditures up across the region
Across the Historic Triangle, there has been a noticeable increasing trend in public safety spending from each jurisdiction’s General Fund. Several factors contributed to increased public safety costs such as additional personnel, changes in pay and benefits, and vehicle fuel and maintenance increases. Williamsburg has made significant capital investments in public safety, including a recently completed $16M fire station and ongoing construction of a new $20M police station.
Focus: Williamsburg
Williamsburg's budget from FY21 to FY25 reveals that total adopted budget increased at a faster rate than the general fund overall. The allocation indicates a focus on public safety and administration, as well as capital projects and public works.
Increasing debt load
Though this highlights a commitment to city services and development, it appears that debt is funding much of these initiatives. Between FY21 and FY25, the City of Williamsburg's outstanding debt increased by 128.09%. A portion of this debt was allocated to refinancing obligations, while the remainder facilitated new financing for public projects such as fire and police stations and municipal buildings. Debt service increased from $1.5 million in FY22 to $3.3 million by FY25.
Looking Forward: FY26 Budget Plan & beyond
The preliminary budget for Williamsburg's Fiscal Year 2026 is $110 million, with $39.6 million allocated to Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Key FY26 revenue sources include:
$28.6M from local taxes
$25.9M from property taxes
$26.4M from miscellaneous sources
General Fund revenues are projected at $51 million. Other funds include Utility Fund ($10.7M), Tourism Development Fund ($6.1M), Public Assistance Fund ($2.3M), and Quarterpath CDA ($0.4M).
FY26 Preliminary Budget
FY26 revenue forecast
Williamsburg's revenue sources include property taxes, other local taxes, licenses and permits, charges for services, use of money and property, and funds from state and federal government. Recently, meals and lodging taxes have begun to demonstrate slower growth or even a negative trend.
Potential water supply rate increases
To ensure the financial health of Williamsburg's water and sewer services, several factors point to the potential need for rate adjustments. Rate increases are anticipated to maintain the Utility Fund's viability due to rising operational and capital expenses, regulatory demands, infrastructure age, and economic factors [from our conversation history]. Capital improvement projects and securing long-term water supplies are significant investments impacting rates. While specific rate increases for FY25-FY26 are not yet determined, the documents indicate they are likely needed soon.
Williamsburg Budget History: FY21-FY25
Increasing gap between adopted budget & General Fund expenditures
From FY21 to FY25, the difference between general fund expenditures and total adopted expenditures generally increased. This shift suggests an increasing allocation of resources to specific projects and funds outside of the general fund, such as capital improvements, tourism, and utilities.
For example, data indicates that the Tourism Fund is utilized, not only for marketing and grant programs, but also for managing debt related to significant regional tourism infrastructure. Specifically, though the Tourism Fund relies on revenue from the General Fund, a special 1% sales tax, and a lodging tax, a significant portion was allocated to debt service for the regional indoor sports complex: $2.3M in FY23 and $1.2M in FY24.
Rising property assessments, slowing
Williamsburg's real estate assessments, while showing significant growth from FY21 to FY25, are projected to level off, impacting financial planning. A 3.5% increase is expected for FY26, considerably less than previous years. This slower growth affects revenue generation, potentially limiting the city's capacity to meet rising expenses without adjusting the tax rate and/or future funding and spending.
General Fund spending priorities
From FY21 to FY25, the City of Williamsburg's expenditures show notable increases in General Government Administration, Public Safety, Public Works, Public Utilities, and Debt Service. While schools saw a moderate increase in total funding, their percentage of General Fund expenditures decreased from 28% to 22%.
Rising expenditures and expenses across the budget
Overall, while school funding demonstrated consistent growth in the later years, other categories like Public Safety and General Government Administration experienced more substantial and varied increases based on specific needs and economic factors.
According to City documents, Williamsburg's expenditure increases were driven by specific factors. For example, General Government Administration rose due to insurance, election costs, IT contracts, and personnel adjustments. Public Safety increases stemmed from additional personnel, pay and benefit changes, rising service costs, and regional jail expenses.
Focus: James City County
Looking Forward: FY26 Budget Plan
James City County employs a two-year budget process, which allows for changes in the second year. The FY2025 adopted budget includes budget projections for FY26. According to projections, the FY26 proposed budget totals $385.7M across all funds after interfund transfers, with $259.4M allocated to the General Fund.
In 2025, the County issued a temporary 5 cent discount on their residential real estate tax rate of $0.83 per $100 of assessed value. Whether a discount also happens in FY26 remains to be seen.
Government Center impact on debt
A large portion of the budget is capital expense for a new County Administration facility. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $96.7M specifically earmarked for the County Administration facility. Factoring in the $103M bond issuance in FY26 is likely to reverse the decreasing trend and cause a significant increase in the county's overall debt. The County has planned to spend approximately $242M from 2026 through 2030 to build the County Government Center.
JCC Budget History: FY21-FY25
Between FY2021 and FY2025, James City County experienced notable shifts in its budgetary priorities and allocations. The Capital Projects Fund saw substantial increases in spending focused on capital maintenance and stormwater projects. Public Safety saw a significant percentage increase in funding. The General Fund also played a crucial role, often serving as a primary source for interfund transfers
Adopted Budget & General Fund Expenditures (FY21-FY25)
FY24 saw a large increase in capital expenditures, including funds for a General Services building, a new preschool space and design costs for the new County Administration HQ.
General Fund spending priorities
From FY2021 to FY2026, budget trends reveal a decline in education spending from 48.9% to 43.2%. Public safety shows a general increase, peaking at 15.5% in FY2024. These shifts indicate changing priorities and increased focus on public safety and other operations, while general services remains consistent.
Rising expenditures in General Fund
Though spending on schools decreased as a percentage of the General Fund expenditures, overall funding for both the WJCC School Division and Public Safety increase. The WJCC School Division saw a rise in funding from $103.5M in FY2021 to $110.5M in FY2025, representing an increase of almost 7%. Meanwhile, Public Safety experienced a more significant boost, with funding climbing from $27.7M in FY2021 to $38.98M in FY2025, an approximate increase of 41%.
Focus: York County
Looking Forward: FY26 Budget Plan
York County will release a proposed budget for FY26 around a scheduled presentation on March 18. But earlier this year, the County released a preview of requested Capital Improvement Projects, totaling $47.1M.
Potential FY26 Capital Improvement Projects
York Budget History: FY21-FY25
York County's budget data from FY21 to FY25 reveals key trends across different funds. The General Fund shows consistent investment in Education & Educational Services, alongside a significant rise in Public Safety expenditures. Capital Outlay & Fund Transfers fluctuate, reflecting specific project needs. Special Revenue Funds, particularly Social Services and Tourism, demonstrate steady growth. Debt Service Funds for both the County and Schools remain substantial. Enterprise Funds, notably the Sewer Utility Fund, indicate ongoing infrastructure demands.
Adopted Budget & General Fund Expenditures
York County's budget data from FY21 to FY25 reveals trends between the total adopted budget and the general fund. The ratio of the General Fund to the Total Budget has been relatively stable, fluctuating between 64% and 72%. A higher ratio indicates that a larger share of the county's resources is managed through the General Fund, whereas FY23 saw a dip to 64% as more resources were directed to other funds, possibly due to the Law Enforcement Building construction. The increase in capital spending in FY23 was primarily due to the construction of the Law Enforcement Building
Expenditures by Category
York County's budget from FY21-FY25 shows a consistent focus on Education and Public Safety, with the General Fund as the largest component. Education consistently represents the largest expenditure within the General Fund. Capital spending fluctuates based on infrastructure needs and specific projects like the Law Enforcement Building in FY23. Expenditures on personnel services have also generally increased. The General Fund increased from $143.66M in FY21 to $188.97M in FY25.
Editor’s Note: This content was produced with the help of NotebookLM, a Google AI service. AI was used (though not exclusively relied upon) to find, sort and organize data, fact check, as well as analyze and summarize trends, some of which appears in the piece. Let us know if you see any errors.
Want to support the Williamsburg Independent without subscribing? You could buy me a cup of coffee instead.