1 week Ago
JAMES CITY — Community members told the Board of Supervisors that they want to see less spending in the county’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, more than a half dozen residents sounded off on County Administrator Scott Stevens’ proposed $389.5 million budget , which includes $262.
7 million for the general fund (the county’s primary operating fund), with a 2.9% increase in general property taxes. While the budget maintains its tax rate of 83 cents per $100 of assessed value, this year’s 5-cent tax credit is not included, so residents would actually see a tax rate increase next year.
Along with a capital improvement program totaling $125 million, with a five-year period total of $454 million, the budget also includes the proposed new $65.5 million government center and proposed library addition for an additional $16.8 million.
Resident Richard Timberlake said the county is going “way beyond its needs” in wanting a new government center and asked for the county to slow down on spending taxpayers’ money. “It’s not a time to expand on another building next to the rec center, just because this one is getting too old,” Timberlake said. The county wants to build a new government center at 5231 Longhill Road, near the county recreation center, to join together disparate offices.
The project, with an estimated price tag of $80-150 million, is in the planning stages. Dan Roose agreed with Timberlake’s comments on the center and library, noting the library’s price. “I am struggling to understand why we need to pay $50 million for a library,” Roose said.
“I can’t say that I know every intricate piece about the budget here in James City County ...
but I got to believe we can use $50 million a lot more effectively.” Jay Everson, a member of the planning commission, said residents should get to decide on the government center and library through a referendum. “Now, when you are spending $185 million for the county complex, that’s a lot of money,” Everson said.
“It seems to me that this decision to spend these kind of dollars should rest with the citizens of this county. You can get a referendum this year on the gubernatorial election in November.” Further budget discussions are set for the supervisors’ April 22 meeting, with adoption planned for May 13.
Also on Tuesday, supervisors approved a special use permit for the James City County Grove Convenience Center, a solid waste container site and transfer facility, at 8429 and 8415 Pocahontas Trail. The center will address waste disposal needs while providing recycling options for Grove. Also greenlighted was VDOT’s Route 60 improvement project , which would provide a three-lane design on Route 60 in the Grove area with a center turn lane as well as sidewalks, a multi-use path, crosswalks and other improvements.
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.
com.
