New Kent’s proposed budget settles in at $137 million, includes three-cent tax increase

After a couple of months of discussion and projection revenues, New Kent County has settled on a figure for its proposed FY2025-26 budget.

County administrator Rodney Hathaway revealed a proposed budget of $137,625,196 at Tuesday night’s budget public hearing and regular board meeting of the county supervisors. The amount is $5,616,038 decrease, but only because money received from Colonial Downs will be factored in through another line item.

The new budget number comes after discussion of a possible tax-increase is now becoming more of a reality. Hathaway proposed a three-cent tax increase, with the county’s real estate value going from 59 cents per $100 of assessed value to 62 cents per $100 of assessed value. With each penny equaling $551,635, the increase will generate approximately $1.6 million.

The proposal for the tax increase is to address construction projects that are being proposed. In March, Hathaway spoke about the use of each penny, reiterating it Tuesday night. One penny will be used to fund a public safety plan for the county to make them more competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. The remaining two pennies will be applied to future debt service funds as the county is looking to build a new courthouse and new elementary school. Both construction projects total $130 million, which means the annual debt service to the county would be $8.7 million.

New Kent County Public School’s is pegged to receive $53,068,296. Personnel actions will cost the county $2,560,545. Capital project funding is tabbed at $24,987,260. The county will receive $5,959,408 from Colonial Downs revenue.

In the public utility fund, which is self-sustaining and paid for by the users, has proposed a budget of $17,513,643. That amount is a $200,000 increase from FY25. The fund includes a four-percent water and sewer rate increase that will be used to cover capital projects, which total $9,043,600. Connection and availability fees will see no change.

During the public comment period, New Kent Sheriff’s Office Captain Brandon Jenkins spoke about the need to plan for the construction of a new courthouse.

“The courthouse was built in 1985 and has suited our needs over the past 40 years,” he commented. “In 2008, New Kent Sheriff’s Office moved a majority of the staff to the law enforcement building.

“As New Kent County continues to grow, so do the needs of the courts in the county,” Jenkins continued. “In 2008, the court section consisted of full-time deputies and six part-time deputies. Now, there are 10 full-time deputies and one part-time deputy.

“The county’s growth will require more space and personnel to meet the needs of the citizens of New Kent County.”

New Kent County Sheriff Lee Bailey and New Kent County Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick echoed the sentiments of needing more space for operations. Renick added that when the courthouse was originally built, it was to handle four to six dates a month.

“Now, we are looking at have court four to five times a week,” Renick said, pointing to the courthouse hosting general district, circuit court, and juvenile and domestic relations court. “For JDR (juvenile and domestic relations court), people stand in a small hallway outside my office. My office is small, as I have myself, my assistant, and a law library within a 10-by-10 foot space.”

County leaders could not take action on the budget as by law they will have to wait 10 days. Supervisors will discuss and consider adopting their budget at their May 27 work session, which is slated to start at 3 p.m.