WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg’s proposed budget saw further cuts for fiscal year 2026 at Monday’s city council work session.
The original proposal saw a budget of $112.3 million, however, between its April 7 meeting and the meeting held on April 10, several changes to the original budget proposal had been addressed with expenditure reductions totaling $1.9 million. After the meeting on April 10, an additional total of almost $1.4 million was cut from the proposed budget putting the current proposed budget at $103.3 million.
The cuts were made by reducing the police vehicle purchase, restructuring the police station demo, postponing the Kiwanis Park tennis court restoration, reducing the WATA contribution, as well as to miscellaneous adjustments general fund expenditures. Also included is a decrease in admissions tax exemptions totaling $257,000.
Discussions also took place regarding the necessity of a new library, and it was noted the city has an Interm agreement and thus has not as of yet fully committed to building a new library. A vote would come at a later date.
“I’ve heard a lot about the library and the library is in the capitol improvement plan, but we’ve spent, as a community, years talking about the need for a new library based on feedback from the staff there and the community,” said Williamsburg Mayor Douglas Pons. “But things are changing, there’s no question. James City County is supposedly planning on building a new library and that changes how we look at it.”
“Fortunately, it’s just in the CIP, we haven’t borrowed the money and a final decision hasn’t been made today,” he continued. “And if we approved this budget today with [the library] in the CIP, that decision still needs to be made. And, I know there are going to be a series of meetings coming along soon where the community can provide some more input, and we can get additional information from the staff at the library relative to what may happen in the county and how that affects the usage of this building.”
Pons continued by stressing that it is important it’s in the CIP, ensuring there has been budgeting for it, rather than not.
Currently, the water rate adjustment to $1.56/1,000 gallons, a 1.5% meal tax increase, 2% lodging tax increase, and a 10% admissions tax remain in the budget. While property value is showing an increase, no increase is being planned for property taxes.
Regarding the admissions tax, an exception is given for William & Mary due to state law, as well as charitable organization events with less than 2,000 in admissions per year. It also includes a 2% dealer discount for meals, lodging, and admissions tax payments to allow the city to compensate restaurants, hotels, and tours for credit card fees that will be incurred.
The final opportunity for public comment regarding the budget will be during the City Council meeting on May 8 at 2 p.m. in the Stryker Center. It is anticipated that the city council will vote on the budget during that meeting. For more information, visit the official city website.
