County Administrator Bryan J. Hill released his proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 financial plan for James City County on April 1. The proposed plan for FY2017 is 3.3% over the FY2016 budget to $193,475,000 with no tax rate increases. The FY2018 budget plan increases to $196,675,000 or 1.7%.
The proposed FY2017-2018 budget continues to support the five strategic initiatives established in FY2016 – road and infrastructure improvements; water; stormwater; schools; and fiscal strength. In addition, the strategic planning process has highlighted the need to continue working towards economic development and preventative maintenance.
- In FY2017, $1.5 million will be allocated as a transfer to the Special Projects Fund for investments into the area road system.
- The second year of incremental rate changes for the James City Service Authority (JCSA) is proposed to begin July 1. Water rates would increase from $7.22 to $8.19 and sewer rates would increase from $5.66 to $5.77 per 1,000 gallons.
- Funding for the Neighborhood Drainage Program is included in both FY2017 and FY2018.
- The overall County budget is projected to increase 3.3% to $193,475,000. Slightly over 50% of this increase is allocated to the WJCC School Division for operations. This is a 3.8% increase in James City County funding over FY2016. The County is funding 78.3% of the schools' requested increase and 95.4% of the total local funding requested.
- The bulk of the capital maintenance project spending focuses on projects that improve and extend the useful life of County or School buildings and to replace major pieces of equipment, such as fire pumpers.
- A pay-for-performance merit increase for County staff ranging from 0%-4% will recognize performance in alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Investment in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office with one new position and a replacement case management system.
The proposed budget including information on revenue is available for review on the County’s website.
After a series of work sessions and community meetings, the Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposed FY2017-2018 County budget and JCSA budget at the May 10 regular meeting. Once adopted, the budget will cover July 1, 2016-June 30, 2018. Opportunities for citizen input are as follows:
Community meetings by voting districts, each at 6:30 p.m.
- April 5 – Roberts District - Government Center Board Room, 101 Mounts Bay Road, Building F
- April 7 – Powhatan District – Lois S. Hornsby Middle School, 850 Jolly Pond Road
- April 13 – Jamestown District – Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Avenue
- April 19 – Berkeley District – Jamestown High School Auditorium, 3751 John Tyler Highway
- April 21 – Stonehouse District – James City County Library, 7770 Croaker Road
- April 26 – Public hearing on proposed County budget and JCSA budget, 6:30 p.m. Board of Supervisors regular meeting.
The Board of Supervisors will hold budget work sessions at 4 p.m. on April 28, 2 and 4 in the Board’s work session room at 101 Mounts Bay Road, Building F. Although there are no opportunities for public comment during work sessions, they can be viewed on JCC TV Cox Cable channel 48, and streamed live and on demand at jamescitycountyva.gov. The proposed FY2017-2018 budget can be viewed and downloaded at jamescitycountyva.gov/budget and copies are available for reading at public libraries and the County’s Satellite Services Office, 3127 Forge Rd., Toano.
Media Contact: Jody Puckett, Communications Director
757-259-6605; jody.puckett@jamescitycountyva.gov