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The Southampton County Board of Supervisors left the proposed $87.9 million fiscal year 2026 county budget largely unchanged following a Wednesday, May 14, public hearing, but the board did act to increase funding to the Western Tidewater Community Services Board (WTCSB) so it will not lose some state funding.

Both County Administrator Brian S. Thrower and Southeast District Supervisor Robert T. White noted that the potential increased funding for WTCSB, which totaled $16,588, could come from the budget’s contingency line item, avoiding any increase to the budget.

Three members of the public spoke during the public hearing.

BUDGET OVERVIEW

Just prior to the hearing, Thrower gave an overview of the proposed $87,887,099 budget, breaking it down by fund:

• General Fund: $28,189,486;
• Enterprise Water and Sewer Fund: $4,977,323;
• Building Fund: $11,370,568;
• Public Assistance Fund (Social Services): $3,313,525;
• School Services Fund: $1,549,148; and 
• School Fund: $38,487,049.

“There’s no tax increases proposed in the current budget,” he said. “Everything stays the same from the current year to next year in the proposed budget.”

He is proposing increases of $5 in each of the water and sewer categories.

“And again, we’re trying to make that more of an Enterprise Fund function where it’s self-sustainable,” he said. “And the solid waste fee has stayed at $200 per year, which I believe it’s been that same amount since the county instituted that years ago.

“You do also have an ordinance setting the personal property tax relief rate for FY26, and the personal property tax relief shall be granted at a rate of 28% for the first $20,000 of personal use vehicle value and 100% for personal use vehicles valued at $1,000 or less,” he continued. “And also as I mentioned, by state code, there has to be an ordinance adopted when you give bonuses to employees, and this is a bonus that was initiated by the General Assembly and governor. In essence, we’re just the pass through for those funds that authorizes payments for constitutional officers and social services employees.”

Central District Supervisor and Board Chair Dr. Alan W. Edwards said, “I know that, Mr. Thrower, you and (Deputy County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer) Ms. (Lynette C.) Lowe has put a great deal of blood, sweat and tears in this, and we thank you.”

“I appreciate it,” Thrower said.

DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BUDGET CHANGES

Following the public hearing, the board discussed multiple potential changes to the budget, including taking over the monthly funding for a light at a cul-de-sac near the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s land; cutting an administration building study and a salary study; and increasing funding for the WTCSB.

The board was divided on the county funding the light that Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown said had helped prevent drug and other unsavory activity that was routine when the cul-de-sac was unlit. The tribe has been funding the light, but Brown said it could not afford to continue doing so. 

A 3-3 Board of Supervisors vote meant the motion to fund the light with county money failed.

The board did not ultimately act to cut the admin building or salary studies.

While making a case against funding the admin building study, Southwest District Supervisor Lynda T. Updike said, “We have a trash fee to try to get rid of.”

Thrower said, “As we talked about at the last meeting, that trash fee does not cover the cost of the service. If we really wanted to make that an Enterprise Fund-type endeavor, you would double that fee. So in effect — I know folks don’t want to hear this — they’re actually getting a break on that.”

Thrower shared details on the Western Tidewater Community Services Board funding issue, which involved a 10% match opportunity for the county.

“The concern is if a locality doesn’t meet that 10% match, services or whatnot could be affected,” he said. “They had requested $98,016, and in the proposed budget is $81,428, which is, I believe, level funding from last year.”

Lowe said, “So the amount that the organization is lacking from what was requested based on the grant funding they are trying to maintain is $16,588.”

Updike said the WTCSB handles matters including mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse, adding that help is needed in all of those categories.

Thrower said, “I think if you’re going to increase the funding for any of these outside groups, since it’s tied to a local match and the good services they provide, I think this would be one of the ones to bump it up to their request level so they don’t lose any funding on the state side.”

He later added that as White had mentioned, the county does have about $300,000 in the contingency line item within the proposed budget, so some of that could be used for the WTCSB funding increase if the board desired to fund it.

White said, “I think we need to move forward with funding that, so I’ll make a motion that we do that.”

A unanimous 6-0 vote promptly followed.