At a special meeting on April 3, the Henry County Board of Supervisors reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26, totaling $222,815,547—an increase of $15,073,695, or 7.3 percent, from the previous year, even though the county’s primary revenue sources are projected to decline by 2.1 percent collectively.
This proposed spending plan would support essential county services, including public schools, law enforcement, emergency services, and other core utilities that impact residents daily.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner explained the proposal included no recommendations to increase taxes on residents. Instead, Wagoner proposed balancing the $222,815,547 budget by transferring $1,778,455 from the county’s savings.
“As we navigate through these uncertain economic times, we understand the strain many of our residents are feeling,” Wagoner said. “Costs are rising, and while revenues remain relatively flat, we are committed to easing the burden on our taxpayers. We know that raising taxes is not the solution, especially when so many are already stretched thin. That’s why, instead of increasing taxes, I’m recommending that we tap into our rainy-day fund to ensure we continue delivering the essential services our community relies on, without adding more pressure to those who can afford it the least.”
Primary funding sources include real estate taxes, personal property taxes, and the machinery and tools tax. Costs for services are continuing to rise, yet revenues remain stagnant, forcing the county to make difficult choices about where to allocate its limited resources.
Expected growth from state contributions and revenue from sales taxes are projected to offset some of the anticipated decline.
With additional revenue from the Commonwealth, Wagoner proposed a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for all state-supported positions, such as teacher and deputies, and all county employees.
Additionally, all eligible county and compensation-board funded employees would receive a 1.5 percent stipend. State-supported positions in public education would receive a one-time stipend of $1,000.
The proposed budget for public education is $119,724,257 which is an increase of 11.87 percent compared to the current year’s original budget. The proposed local contribution increased by 8.15 percent for a total of $23,398,263. Of that amount, $2,496,242 is dedicated to paying down the school’s debt service. Another $5.7 million is set aside from the 1 percent sales tax for school facility construction and renovation projects.
Also under the proposal, the Sheriff’s Office would receive funding to support 12 new positions at the Adult Detention Center. This coincides with a decision by the sheriff to terminate the inmate medical services contract with a private provider and manage the services in-house, a step that is anticipated to decrease total expenses for the center by 3.2 percent.
The budget also includes funding for an additional officer for the Animal Services division, 11 new vehicles, a K-9 dog, and associated training and supplies. The total budget for the Sheriff’s Office would increase 1.14 percent.
The proposed budget for public safety would grow 12.19 percent, primarily due to the addition of four new positions to improve the response to fire and emergency medical services (EMS) calls. The cost for these positions is expected to be offset by additional revenue from billing.
As a way of preparing the next generation of emergency responders, the proposed budget also includes funding for an EMS Educator to teach emergency medical technician courses to high school students in the Career Academy.
Wagoner is also recommending the establishment of a District Impact Fund. This fund would allocate resources for each magisterial district and enable board members to fund targeted improvements for their respective districts. Approximately $210,000 from rental vehicle taxes would be used to jumpstart the fund, and an initial distribution of $35,000 per district would be allocated.
A work session was held April 8 to give board members an opportunity to make any changes before a public hearing is scheduled on the proposal.
