The Henry County Board of Supervisors had a first glimpse of the proposed $207,741,852 fiscal year 24-25 budget at a special meeting Tuesday. The proposal represents an increase over last year’s proposal, but includes no tax increase.
Under the plan, county employees would receive a 3 percent pay hike starting July 1. The proposal also includes a 10 percent reduction in the cost of health insurance for employees with dependents.
The county anticipates several increases in revenue, with an estimated $200,000 from recreation fees and concessions at the Smith River Sports Complex. Revenue from the current business license tax is expected to increase by 8.33 percent, and the transient occupancy tax is expected to increase by 166 percent. Permits, fees, and licenses are expected to bring in 28 percent more revenue. Housing federal inmates is estimated to provide an additional $380,000 in revenue, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fees are expected to bring in an additional $250,000. A small increase will come from the recordation fee, which would increase from $2 to $4 to maintain the law library.
When presenting the proposal, County Administrator Dale Wagoner said the expenses are closely aligned “with our three core pillars,” which are education, public safety/law enforcement and economic development.
“More than 60 percent of the budget has been allocated to education,” Wagoner said in the proposal. Additionally, “we have taken action by dedicating significant resources to public safety and law enforcement.”
He added that “our commitment to fostering growth and prosperity is unwavering. By supporting economic development initiatives, we aim to create a vibrant and thriving community for all residents.”
The school year budget is expected to be $107 million, a 4.2 percent increase from the current fiscal year. The local portion of the funding will be $21.6 million, which is nearly a $2.3 million increase from last year. The total local contribution also is a 10 percent increase in discretionary funds.
“The local share of the increase is more than the state’s increase,” Wagoner said. “This is somewhat counterintuitive, considering that Virginia is constitutionally required to fund education.”
The proposed total doesn’t include the one percent sales tax for school construction and renovation projects.
The Sheriff’s Office is the second largest expense, with a proposed budget of $24.2 million, or a 9.5 percent increase from last year.
Two additional officer positions are included in the proposed budget for the Sheriff’s Office drug interdiction team. A significant portion of this increase is for inmate health care for those incarcerated in the Adult Detention Center. This expense is projected to increase by 65 percent this year.
Currently, there are 208 sworn officers and 24 civilian positions, with an additional eight part-time officers who work in the Henry County Public School system. The department’s Animal Control division will change its name to Animal Services.
“This better reflects the services and essence of all that department does in the community,” Wagoner said of the name change.
The proposed budget also calls for additional investments in public safety, with allocations to volunteer fire and rescue to increase 14.1 percent, with $80,000 for each volunteer fire department to cover expenses, and $562,1999 allocated to cover the operation costs of all eight volunteer departments.
Four new paramedic/firefighter positions are included for the Department of Public Safety to improve response times for emergency medical services calls, at a total cost of about $250,000.
“Currently, the county provides 100 percent of the fire program money,” Wagoner said of the purchase of a new fire apparatus, which accounts for part of the department’s increase. This will allow for one more worker on each shift and will help to improve emergency response times.
Other services and programs that are funded by the county also would receive increased funding, including a $29,141 increase for the Department of Social Services and $313,250 to the Child Services Act, as well as an inter-fund transfer to the IDA of $1.1 million.
Another large increase is from the newly acquired Smith River Sports Complex, which will cost $546,813 to run, and represents a 47 percent increase.
Some outside organizations also would receive an increase, such as Piedmont Community Services with an additional $5,700.
The final part of the meeting presented some changes to the FY 2024 budget, with the largest adjustments going towards purchasing a new garbage truck for $350,000 and a master plan for the public safety complex estimated to cost $750,000.
There were several projects not included in the budget that could be funded by a possible one cent increase to real estate, personal property, and machinery and tools taxes. If the board decides to grant the increase, an extra $418,000 of revenue could be added to the budget.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for April 15 at 7 p.m., in the Summerlin Room of the Administration Building.
To view a copy of the entire proposed FY25 budget, visit https://tinyurl.com/3rjxxju8.
