James City residential assessments jump 11.84%, commercial up 2.28%
Outside agency funding requests jump $8.7 Million, driven by transportation and behavioral health needs
The James City County Board of Supervisors met February 12, 2026, to discuss the two-year budget for fiscal years 2027-2028. While some specifics were discussed, the proposed budget was not provided during the meeting, though the document is scheduled for release in March with final adoption in May. In the meantime, the board is expected to work on a budget that addresses rising personnel costs, higher outside agency funding requests and a $316.6 million capital improvement program.
The presentation given to the board by county staff indicates that the next budget will include requests for 36 new positions totaling approximately $3.2 million, plus $203,000 in salary adjustments. Officials are addressing rising healthcare costs by switching insurance providers, anticipating annual savings of approximately $3.6 million. Other key issues were discussed including rising property assessments as well as outside agency funding requests for FY27.
Property Values Rise 10.31%
Preliminary 2026 reassessment data shows total property values increased 10.31%, with residential properties rising 11.84% and commercial properties increasing only 2.28%. Reassessment notices are scheduled for mailing February 27, 2026.
The current real property tax rate stands at $0.83 per $100 assessed value. Each one-cent change in the tax rate generates approximately $1.8 million in revenue. Officials noted that a one-percentage-point increase to the meals tax, currently at 4% with a 6% statutory cap, could generate approximately $2 million annually. A state moratorium on meals tax increases ended January 1, 2026.
Outside Agency Funding Requests Jumps $8.7 Million
Funding requests from outside agencies increased by $8.7 million compared to the previous year. The largest increase came from Colonial Behavioral Health, which requested $9.2 million—nearly $6.9 million more than its fiscal 2026 allocation of $2.3 million.
The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) requested $1.4 million, an increase of $452,530. At a January 27 meeting, the transit executive director explained the higher request supports “phase one implementation” of a strategic plan to increase service frequency to 30 minutes on major routes. Other significant increases included York County E911 (up $571,760) and the Williamsburg Regional Library (up $200,230).
$316.6 Million Capital Plan Includes Government Center, Fire Stations
The five-year capital improvement program (fiscal 2027-2031) totals $316.6 million across 28 projects, plus $149 million in capital maintenance. The largest request is $124 million for a new 186,000-square-foot Consolidated Government Center, funded with $72 million in fiscal 2027 and $52 million in fiscal 2028.
Other major projects include two fire stations ($49.2 million combined), a Library Addition to the Government Center ($25.1 million), and a sports complex expansion ($15.9 million). The county administrator told supervisors at a January 27 meeting that these are departmental requests, not recommendations, and the board will need to prioritize since providing funding for each project is unlikely.
The writers used AI tools and these sources:
Agenda Packet - James City County Board of Supervisors Retreat - February 12, 2026
Agenda Packet - James City County Board of Supervisors meeting - January 27, 2026
Video - James City County Board of Supervisors meeting - January 27, 2026
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