So we're gonna try to give them a little five minutes and I hear that point.

Well, good evening, supervisors.

Good evening, Loudon, and a special good evening to all the staff that's in the room tonight.

We'll have a couple conversations later.

Welcome to the boardroom again.

I'd like to call the order the February 11th, 2026, Louding Cayenne Board of Supervisors Business Meeting.

This room has a hearing loop.

If you need hearing assistance, please switch your hearing aid to the telecom mode.

If you need a headset, we have those available as well.

Please see the clerk to my left to request one.

Excuse me.

I've requested to participate in this m in this meeting by electronic communication.

A fiscal physical forum of the board of supervisors is present in the boardroom, and the board has made arrangements for the voice of Supervisor Laterno to be heard by all persons in the boardroom.

Yes, I can, I'm sure.

Very good.

I'm sorry you don't feel well.

We join you in that hope, Supervisor Latin.

Yeah, I know.

Supervisor Sainz is uh making his way in from DC.

He had traffic is heavy today, so he will be here uh very shortly.

Um loudin tonight is the county administrator Tim Hemp Street's um budget presentation to the board of supervisors.

Following the board following the present presentation.

Um I will have some things I'm gonna read and then we will have an opportunity to ask uh Mr.

Hemp Street questions.

We will then take about a ten minute break to uh change the equipment around to come back to the day as for the public hearing, which we hope starts um at six or very closely closely after six.

Um but first we're going to hear the budget presentation, Mr.

Pimp Street.

Um thank you, as always for all that you do.

Um you are a phenomenal county administrator, and the staff is I I say all the time, I think we have the best staff in the country, and I don't just say that they are they are they are just we get a chance to be at Bacon and Naco and Cog and see other staffs, and there's just no staff that comes up to ours.

And so um thank you for being here, and we are ready when you are.

Uh I could not do anything without the folks behind me and the people that support them.

I mean, every organization is only as good as its people, and we have outstanding people that choose to work here, and I thank every one of them for not only coming here but making a conscious decision every day to decide to come back and to come in and work their shift.

So with that, uh good evening, Madam Chair and members of the board.

I am pleased to present to you and the residents of Loudoun County my proposed budget for fiscal year 2027.

As required by the Code of Virginia, this document sets forth a plan for funding county government services, the Loudoun County Public Schools, and debt service for county and school capital projects for the upcoming fiscal year.

In January, the board provided me with guidance to prepare the FY27 proposed budget with a focus on constraining operating budget growth while keeping tax rates relatively unchanged.

The guidance also directed me to increase the amount of paygo funding in the capital improvement program and in the housing fund.

My budget proposals consistent with the board's guidance.

Uh, specifically operating budget growth for the county and school division is 9% and 8% respectively.

Uh the budget is balanced with a real property tax rate of 80 and a half cents, a general personal property tax rate of $4.15, and a vehicle tax rate of $309 in tax year 26 and $3 in tax year 27.

Uh, as you know, it has become my custom to begin the proposed budget presentation each year by highlighting a few of the county's accomplishments from the current fiscal year.

I believe our a review of our successes serves as a good reminder of how the resources that are provided by the board through the annual budget process make a difference in our community.

Over the past year, the county's economic development efforts have continued to deliver strong, measurable results.

The Department of Economic Development's efforts translated into 178 business accomplishments this past year, representing more than 8.4 billion dollars in investment and the creation of over 4,500 jobs.

These numbers put Loudoun in a strong national peer group.

Through the Loudon Resilience Initiative, the county connected workers and employers affected by federal government layoffs with resources while continuing to support our small and rural businesses.

In addition, using federal ARPA funds, the department launched a new technical services pilot program to further support small businesses by connecting them with targeted expertise and professional services.

Together, these efforts reflect a disciplined strategic approach to economic development that prioritizes diversification, resilience, and opportunity for businesses and residents across Loudoun County.

Loudon's strong economic position has enabled the board to make meaningful investments in attainable housing initiatives in alignment with the county's unmet housing needs strategic plan.

Loudoun County is one of the leaders in the commonwealth who are addressing this need through the use of local tax dollars and collaboration with developers.

The board's budgets over the past few years have included funding equivalent to one half cent on the real property tax rate and one full cent in FY26.

The FY27 proposed budget continues this priority through proportions of local taxes, including the addition of the county cigarette tax.

The current year its local fund allocation is 29 million dollars.

Additionally, the board has supported a number of programs through the allocation of ARPA funds, such as the Attainable Housing Loan Program, down payment and closing cost programs, and rent and eviction assistance programs.

In addition to supporting housing programs, the board's annual budget supports many important programs and services across all county departments, uh, too many to mention.

But I'll highlight just a few examples, starting with the board's investments in technology modernization.

We are undertaking a significant upgrade to the Oracle platform, the county's financial and human resources management system, which includes a new cloud-based budget system that has already been launched and helped prepare the budget I am presenting to you today.

We have also rolled out new AI tools to improve efficiency for both the public and our staff.

And we've deployed new systems for the public to pay taxes for our departments and community partners to manage grants and for residents and businesses to explore our zoning ordinance online.

Throughout the county, we continue to deliver outstanding and innovative programs and services to the public, which include everything from the county's invasive plant species management program that launched with great interest late last year, to affordable and flexible transit options through the Transit on Demand program, from integrated services and supports across health and human services departments, such as the Revive and Behavioral Health Trainings and Foster Care Inform Sessions, to comprehensive customer care for anyone seeking a building permit, and we continue to offer quality recreational and educational programs for all ages through departments like the Loudoun County Public Library and Parks Recreation and Community Services.