Powhatan leaders discuss budget, propose slight real estate tax rate increase

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Powhatan Board of Supervisors and School Board held a joint meeting to discuss the county’s budget for fiscal year 2026 on Thursday, March 6. The proposed budget showed the cost of some things could go up a bit.   

For the first time in more than a decade, county leaders are proposing a real estate tax rate increase. Right now, the tax rate is 69 cents per $100. But leaders are looking to raise that by 3 cents, to make it 72 cents per $100.  

The Board of Supervisors said this would allow them to give more money to the public schools for its budget.

Secondly, a majority of the budget is going to public safety and health and welfare, and you can see that where they proposed new job positions. For example, two new full-time firefighters, a sheriff patrol deputy and a full-time EMS captain is proposed.   

They also have nearly a million dollars for capitol improvement projects (CIP), which are improvements to public facilities to improve the quality of the community.  

When it comes to education, Powhatan County Public Schools is about $2 million short on its desired revenue amount. Even though the Board of Supervisors found some wiggle room to give them more money, they’re hoping proposed amendments in the Virginia General Assembly will increase the state revenue to help fill some of that gap.  

The school board has put their goals into four categories: academic excellence, leveraging talent, family and community engagement and safe schools. 

The proposed spending budget is nearly $67 million, with over half going toward teachers and other staff pay.  

They proposed spending around $1.5 million on attendance, but according to the school board, they already have a great graduation rate. Nearly 97% graduated last school year.  

They also want to put money toward some miscellaneous areas like cyber security upgrades, adding a psychologist intern program and getting a girl's soccer team at Powhatan Middle School.  

County officials will vote on this budget on April 28.