Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Adopts FY27 Budget and Sets Tax Rates on April 22, 2026

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on April 22, 2026, to take final action on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and related items. Following presentations and discussion, the board approved six resolutions: setting calendar year 2026 tax rates (real estate at $0.894 per $100 assessed valuation, personal property at $4.28 per $100), adopting amendments to the county fee schedule (Chapter 1, Article 5), adopting the revised FY27 operating and capital budget totaling $727.7 million (general fund $512 million), adopting the annual appropriation resolution, adopting the resolution of official intent to reimburse expenditures with bond proceeds, and adopting the FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) totaling $362.1 million over five years. The FY27 capital appropriations are $95.7 million. The budget was balanced with adjustments based on board direction from April 15, including shifting $313,000 from ongoing reserve for contingencies, $1.15 million from the planned general fund transfer to the economic development fund, and using remaining balances from one-time reserves ($510,000) and the CIP advancing strategic priorities reserve ($394,000) to fund priorities: $2 million added to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF), $117,000 to the Albemarle County Emergency Relief Program (ACERP), and $250,000 distributed among other agencies (OAR therapeutic docket, Foothills Child Advocacy Center, Charlottesville Band, Charlottesville Ballet, and Dogwood Vietnam Memorial Foundation). The school division also requested use of fund balance ($3.15 million) for security, instructional resources, and technology, which was included.

Discussion Items

• Caitlin Malcolm, Chief of Budget, presented final adjustments and staff recommendations, noting the board's direction from April 15. She highlighted the funding sources and allocations, and explained that ongoing vs. one-time funding considerations were applied: ACERP and the four human services/arts agencies received ongoing funding; $1.95 million of the AHIF addition was one-time and $82,000 ongoing; the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial Foundation received $136,004 in one-time funding.
• Supervisor Pruitt expressed discomfort with the Dogwood Memorial funding due to unclear plans and lack of city participation, and frustration that only a small fraction of AHIF funding was recurring despite board emphasis on recurring support. He also questioned the need for board approval of the school's use of fund balance.
• Supervisor Duncan praised the budget process and staff organization but criticized the development fee increase, arguing it ultimately falls on new homeowners and renters and should have been discussed in a work session.
• Supervisor Mallek supported the Dogwood Memorial funding, noting its broader community benefit (connections to McIntire Park, botanical garden, etc.) and that the foundation had met design milestones. She also supported the fee increase as a 50% cost recovery approach.
• Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley commended staff and supported the board's direction, preferring one-time funding for AHIF to maintain budget flexibility given uncertain state/federal outlooks. She confirmed the school's fund balance use is their own money.
• Supervisor Missel asked about precedent for school fund balance requests and suggested making Dogwood funding contingent on city participation. He preferred flipping ongoing and one-time funding for AHIF.
• Chair Missel expressed overall support but acknowledged disagreements; he noted the board had thorough discussions and the public is aware of positions.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1 (Tax Rates): Adopt resolution setting calendar year 2026 tax rates as in Attachment A. Passed 6-0.
• Motion 2 (Fee Schedule): Adopt ordinance amending Chapter 1, Article 5 (fee schedule) as in Attachment B. Passed 5-1 (Supervisor Duncan dissenting).
• Motion 3 (FY27 Budget): Adopt revised FY27 operating and capital budget resolution as in Attachment C. Passed 6-0.
• Motion 4 (Appropriations): Adopt annual resolution of appropriations as in Attachment D. Passed 6-0.
• Motion 5 (Borrowing Intent): Adopt resolution of official intent to reimburse expenditures with bond proceeds as in Attachment E. Passed 6-0.
• Motion 6 (CIP): Adopt resolution adopting FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan as in Attachment F. Passed 6-0.
• County Executive Richardson reported that the county issued over $130 million in bonds earlier that day at a low interest rate of 3.62%, with strong market interest (nine bids). Approximately $11 million of that was for refunding, saving about $250,000 over 10 years.
• Richardson noted that six budget town halls attracted about 200 attendees, an increase year over year.
• Staff from the budget department were introduced and thanked.

From the Board

• Supervisor Missel reported on meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (highlighting Community Connect platform and CERT training), the Albemarle County Broadband Authority (VATI projects nearing completion, with Firefly issues in Ragged Mountain/Sherwood Farms), and the 5th & Avon CAC (a new footpath from Timberland Apartments to Azalea, and broadband update).
• Supervisor Duncan attended an open house at Foothills Child Advocacy Center's new location, sharing space with SARA.
• Supervisor Mallek reported on the Crozet Community Advisory Committee meeting, which discussed naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAHs), the Crozet water study postponed to October, and prescription drug take-back events. She also raised concerns about plastic erosion matting used in parks.
• Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley attended the 60th rededication of the Dogwood Memorial and commended the budget town hall setup.
• The board adjourned to May 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM.