HENRY COUNTY, Va. (Romero Report) — The Henry County Board of Supervisors voted on June 25 to balance its fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget through the use of the county’s general fund reserves, avoiding an increase in real estate taxes.

The decision followed a public hearing that considered a proposed 6.5-cent real estate tax rate increase to provide additional funding for education.

In April, the board adopted a budget that increased school funding by $4.3 million, bringing the total school budget to $107,018,865.

The budget projected $72.6 million in state funds and $21.6 million in local funds.

However, the state later finalized a budget that increased its portion to $80.1 million, requiring the county to provide an additional $3.8 million in matching funds, according to a news release.

Three options were presented to the board to address the new budget deficit: decreasing expenditures, using the unassigned fund balance, or increasing taxes.

The supervisors chose to transfer $975,845 from its reserves to provide the additional funding for education, the release said.

The county said the revised school budget now totals $115,462,105, a $12.9 million increase from FY24, constituting a 12.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Local required funding increased by 23.41 percent, with the county’s total contribution rising to $22.6 million for FY25.

In addition to the annual budget, the schools are supported through a separate fund generated by an additional one percent sales tax, according to the county.

That fund currently has a balance of $10.2 million and accrues approximately $5.5 million per year.

Also during the meeting, the board recognized the Patrick & Henry Community College Head Coach Robbi Campbell and his softball team on winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championship.

In other matters, the board:

• Approved performance agreements for the Press Glass expansion project
• Received an update from Tiffany Hairston, the Commissioner of the Revenue, on the 2024 real estate assessment
• Received an update from Lee Clark, Director of Planning, Zoning, and Inspections, on the Villa Heights Community Housing Project
• Awarded a contract to J.L. Culpepper & Company, Inc., to provide food at the Adult Detention Center

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