County Administrator Scott Stevens released his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget for James City County on March 26. This is the second year of the biennial FY2021-2022 budget. The FY2022 Proposed Budget is 7.5% above the FY2021 budget at $224.4 million, with the General Fund portion of the budget increasing 3.1% over FY2021 to $202.2 million. Beginning in FY2022, the James City Service Authority (JCSA) budget will be presented in a separate document that will address JCSA’s water and sewer operations and capital projects.
The budget process for FY2022 included considerations to adjust for the impacts of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on our local community. In an effort to be fiscally responsible during uncertain times while still providing exceptional public services, the FY2021 Adopted Budget addressed anticipated revenue shortfalls related to COVID-19 through reductions to expenditures as well as measures to conserve resources. The FY2022 Plan that was released last year assumed that there would be economic recovery and a normalization of revenues and expenditures in FY2022. Entering FY2021, the intent was to monitor these assumptions and adjust the FY2022 Proposed Budget accordingly based on actual experience.
The County shares resources between County operations and WJCC Schools, and a measured approach was taken to ensure a fair allocation of resources that would benefit as many community needs as possible. During this upcoming fiscal year, the budget incorporates many of the operational initiatives from the County’s Strategic Plan.
Highlights include:
- State Sales Tax for Education previously went to the County and was then remitted to WJCC Schools; starting in FY2022, this amount will go directly to WJCC Schools.
- Funding to provide a 3% cost of living adjustment, effective Oct. 1, 2021.
- Health insurance costs have increased by 3%, and additional funds have been provided by the County and employees to pay for this increased cost.
- Funding for 7 new full-time positions: 1 principal planner, 1 convenience center attendant and 1 budget specialist in General Services, 1 capital projects coordinator, 1 sureties coordinator, 1 administrative coordinator for Police, and 1 voting infrastructure coordinator. Funding for 1 part-time position, a Police crime analyst and the conversion of 2 part-time positions to full-time: animal control officer and satellite services assistant.
- A proposed cigarette tax of $0.40 per pack beginning July 1, 2021 to help fund planned Capital Improvements Program (CIP) expenditures.
- The Historic Triangle 1% additional sales tax continues and the projected revenue is $4.1 million. This funding is proposed to be used for capital expenditures only.
After a budget work session and a budget community meeting, the Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the County’s FY2022 Proposed Budget and JCSA budget at the May 11 meeting at 5 p.m. Once adopted, the FY2022 budget will cover July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.
Opportunities for citizen input are as follows:
- March 30 – 2 p.m., Budget Community Meeting, streamed live on Facebook, Cox Cable channels 48 and 1048 and at jamescitycountyva.gov.
- April 13 – 5 p.m., Public hearing on proposed County budget and JCSA budget during the Board of Supervisors meeting. (101 Mounts Bay Road, Building F)
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, limited seating is available during public budget input sessions. Residents can also send their input to board@jamescitycountyva.gov or call 757-253-6605 and leave a message.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a budget work session at 1 p.m. on April 27 in the Board Room at 101 Mounts Bay Road, Building F. Although there are no opportunities for public comments during work sessions, they can be viewed on JCC TV Cox Cable channel 48 and 1048, and streamed live and on demand at jamescitycountyva.gov.
The proposed FY2022 budget can be viewed and downloaded at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/598..
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-253-6605; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov