JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County residents packed the county government center board room on Tuesday to speak out against county spending and rising taxes. Despite the opposition, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its $390 million Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which goes into effect on July 1.
Highlights include:
Raising water rates, no discounts for property tax, the Williamsburg-James City County Schools contribution and continuing to move forward with development for a new central government center.
Rising Water Rates
As reported on April 4 — James City Service Authority Proposes Rate Hikes — the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of higher water rates for James City Service Authority.
The rate change for fixed water will add an additional $1.50 per month from $7.52 in fiscal 2025 to $9.02 in fiscal 2026. A similar rate increase is proposed for each year through fiscal 2030.
Based on a tier system, an increase in the water volume usage per household will increase incrementally through fiscal 2030. The increase for fiscal 2026 for a tier 1 household will change from $4.20 to $4.45.
JCC Property Tax Rate
The Board made no change or discount to the property tax rate of $0.83 per $100 of assessment.
During public comments, citizens bemoaned the escalating tax rate, citing a 21% tax increase.
County Administrator Scott Stevens clarified the 21% increase was over a two-year period — 15% in fiscal 2025 and 6% in fiscal 2026, stating, “We have heard from a number of speakers and have heard from residents over the last several weeks, where it appeared that residents felt they were having a 21% tax increase and possibly a property tax rate increase this year. Those things are just not correct.”
It is a Virginia code requirement to reassess property values, JCC does assessments every two years, explained Stevens, “Properties are assessed at market value — it is not an appraisal — it is mass assessment, based on sales that occur in or near the property. We have pushed our assessors to get the properties up to market value because if they are not then somebody in another home is not paying their share of the property tax.”
“While sales have slowed down, prices have not,” he added.
Jamestown District Supervisor and Board Chair Jim Icenhour asked fellow board members their thoughts on providing a one-time 2-cent discount to citizens in fiscal 2026. An unofficial vote of 2 to 3 shot down the proposal.
WJCC Schools Contribution
A total of $3.9 million of the budget is allotted to Williamsburg-James City County Schools. An additional $10 million in requests from the school division were not funded.
The appropriation for education includes $100,303,140 as a local contribution to the WJCC Schools operations, of which $100,253,400 represents the county’s contribution directly to the schools and $49,740 represents the county’s payment of compensation to the school board.
JCC Consolidated Government Center
“We have heard comments that we should not build a government center. We don’t have to build the center, but, we have to do something. We are out of space for county staff. We simply do not have room and space for more people to work to serve this community. And, as our population grows that will continue to be a challenge. Our facilities either need significant renovations or we need to build new,” said Stevens.
Stevens presented a timeline of information regarding the new consolidated government center, noting the project began in 2020 when the county began a space needs assessment, and that by 2022, a building consolidation study had been completed. Now, an interim agreement for building design has been signed. Several public meetings and comment sessions have been held to involve and update residents over the ongoing, lengthy process, he added.
“This building will be extremely visible. We want it not to be a gold-plated structure, but something the community can be proud of.” Stevens continued, “I do think we are wisely spending the community’s money. We see a lot of benefit to the project and I still think this project makes good sense.”
Berkeley District Supervisor Ruth Larson asked Stevens at what point, as costs rise, should the board “say uncle” and walk away.
Stevens noted that approval of the budget does not mean the Government Center project is approved. Currently, the county is in the process of finalizing a design, and “in October/November with 100% design … they will give us a price. And, that will be the price. Under the design/build they are at risk as much as we are for what happens in the future. So, in three months — if things are way out of wack and it doesn’t make sense — I think they and us will come to you and say it (a new build) doesn’t make sense.”
Board Reaction
“I am just like anybody else, if I didn’t have to pay taxes I’d be happy. But we all have to pay for the things we want,” Powhatan District Supervisor Mike Hipple stated before adding, “Out of 8o-plus thousand people we had 21 here tonight. 21 out of 80-some thousand. I look at the odds on that. We had everything from, ‘Are you listening?’ Of course we are listening! I wouldn’t be doing this job if I wasn’t listening. ‘Have you ever run a business?” Yes, I have run a business for 37 years!”
“I appreciate all the citizens coming up. I always want to hear from citizens. I wish there were 50 thousand citizens here — complaining or praising or whatever they want to do — giving us guidance. We can always use guidance. It is always important to hear from citizens,” Hipple continued.
Hipple also suggested that the county add a budget session class next year to help residents better understand the budget process and how decisions are made.
Larson spent time clarifying a comment she made at a previous meeting regarding residents that move to JCC from other areas. Feeling that the words she said were not clear in identifying what she meant to say, “If anyone took offense, I am very sorry and I apologize for that,” explained Larson.
“I meant no disrespect and it got terribly misreported,” she said.
Larson said she remains committed to her oath of office and the citizens of James City County, and encouraged citizens to reach out and talk to herself as well as other members of the board.
“My fellow board members and I take our task of being fiscally responsible with taxpayers dollars very seriously. But, I know that in very challenging economic times any increase in real estate assessment taxes can be difficult for families already struggling,” she said. “At the same time, I know we are tasked with providing excellent and extensive services to our community. I remain committed to ensuring that every decision we make takes the welfare of our residents into consideration.”
“A great deal of our budget goes to police, fire and schools,” Larson added.
Icenhour stated, “When we look at our budget priorities, number one is public safety. Number two is public education and number three is everything else.”
Pointing out consistency, steady population growth and overall low tax rates relative to the Tidewater region, Icenhour added, “People come here and live here for a reason. They like the quality of our schools. They like the quality of our community and they probably also like the fact that we pay less taxes than if we were located any other place in the Tidewater area.”
Watch the May 13 Board of Supervisors meeting here.
