The Buckingham County Board of Supervisors presented its Fiscal Year 2019 budget Monday during its regular meeting and held a public hearing for the proposed budget.

County Administrator Rebecca Carter said the total operating budget would be $50,156,587.

Local revenue, Carter said, comes to $17,511,200 while state revenue comes to $1,612,914 for non-categorical expenses, expenses Carter said the state does not tell the county how to spend. Categorical aid from the state comes to $1,646,274.

Carter noted the general fund balance grew by $800,000 for the proposed budget. She said the growth was a result of conservative spending and one-time revenue the county received.

Carter noted that 11.94 percent of the total expenditures was in a reserve fund.

Increases of expenditures total $524,088, with the majority going to Buckingham County Public Schools to fund three school buses, to hire drivers for special education students, and for a sixth-grade mathematics or English teacher.

Total reductions to expenditures comes to approximately $428,000. These include reductions to solid waste of $62,771 due to the county’s new solid waste plan, Carter said, noting gradual reductions to that expense will continue over the next few years.

Other reductions include $10,000 to the regional juvenile detention center due to the number of students currently enrolled and $4,500 to Virginia CrossRoads retreat.

Four people spoke during the public hearing. John Staten expressed concern about the allocation received by the county’s rescue squad, believing the squad had issues with personnel and service and asking that the board reduce its allocation.

David Ball expressed concern about the lack of economic development measures in the budget, saying that the county was losing young people as young people were going to surrounding areas for jobs.

Magi Van Eps urged the board to allocate $4,500 to Virginia’s Crossroads, an organization that provides marketing to counties.

Carl Smith asked the board why the allocation for the Commonwealth’s Attorney was as high as it was. Carter explained that a portion of the allocation came from state funds, and asked to meet with Smith to look at the budget.

Tax rates for the county include 55 cents for real estate, 55 cents for public service corporation, $4.05 for State Corporation Commission (SCC) personal property, $4.05 personal property, $2.90 for machinery and tools, $1 for merchants capital and 55 cents for aircraft. 

Members of the board noted that they could not take actions or make alterations during the hearing, but would have seven days to consider the budget before the board reconvenes to vote for the budget during its Monday, April 23 meeting.

“I thank you for your interest in learning how your taxes are being spent,” Carter said after the presentation. “I think it’s much better to find out the facts.”