Williamsburg Independent’s George Arbogust discusses the York County Board of Supervisors’ 2025, in which they adopted a $291.6 million FY2026 budget aimed at maintaining services amid rising costs and slower revenue growth, addressing an $11 million gap through an increase in the real estate tax rate to 78 cents per $100 of assessed value, restoration of the personal property tax rate to $4.00 per $100, and higher solid waste and development-related fees, while noting that declining vehicle values would offset some impacts for taxpayers.
The budget funded employee pay raises, increased school operating support, five new sheriff’s deputy positions, and continued services such as library e-books and median mowing, alongside approval of a $219 million FY2026–2031 Capital Improvements Program with $40.4 million in first-year funding and a $3 million transfer for school capital needs.
Over the year, the five-member Board held or participated in 27 meetings and two town halls, conducted 13 closed sessions, cast 126 votes, held 59 public hearings, heard 66 presentations, and received public comment from 67 speakers, with debate largely focused on taxes, budgets, land use, and infrastructure.
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