WILLIAMSBURG— $20 Million in bond funding was proposed in the April 6 City Council Work session for the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget to support the possible construction of the new downtown library.
The proposed budget is $121,154,362; the final approved budget for last year was $103.3 million.
The City of Williamsburg announced its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget on March 30. While there is no increase in real estate tax, the property assessment of homes in Williamsburg has increased. There is also 7% water rate increase, from $6.89/1,000 gallons to $7.37/1,000 gallons for City customers, to fund water and sewer infrastructure upgrades. The proposed budget would begin on July 1.
“The general feeling from [this group] is that you pause the CIP projects, particularly those which have been rolled over year to year because they are still part of the budget and yet they’ve never been approved, we’ve never had public meetings about them,” said Sabrina Fairbanks during the meeting sharing the concerns from her informal group mailing list who she says is primarily tax payers.
It was noted during the presentation that the proposed budget includes estimates for the state funding revenue stream that are typically unknown until May. Adjustments may be needed once the state passes its budget.
The Williamsburg Regional Library is also currently included in the proposed budget as part of the capital improvement project fund; however, it is noted that the library has yet to be approved. The funds are just built into the budget, should the city decide to release the bonds and move forward with the project.
“We realize this project will probably cost additional money, we’re estimating $26 million, and that is something that has been discussed publicly over the past months and years, and that is in the Fiscal Year 28 budget because that six million dollars is for the furniture, fixtures and equipment, which will not be needed until the building is already built. No need to borrow that money before you’ll be spending it,” said Interim City Manager Michele Mixner DeWitt during the meeting.
Other CIP project examples include:
- Lafayette Street Reconstruction ($2.7 million with $1.3 million from grant funding)
- Streets Maintenance ($680 thousand)
- Historic Streets Maintenance ($330 thousand)
- Paint/Repair Transportation Center ($250 thousand)
- Child Development Resources ($112 thousand)
Some examples of unfunded CIP projects are:
- Monticello/Richmond Roads Roundabout ($1.5 million)
- Quarterpath HVAC Replacement ($500 thousand)
- Paint/Repair Prince George Parking Garage ($500 thousand)
- WMP Playground Replacement ($450 thousand)
- Kiwanis Softball Field Lighting ($240 thousand)
The current debt service ratio for the city is under 6%, according to the presentation during the meeting, and projected to be at 6% in 2028. The potential debt service would have the city’s debt at just under 8% in 2028. According to the chart that is still below the planned 10% debt service and the 12% debt ceiling.
Mayor Douglas Pons did comment during the meeting about wanting to see funding for the Quarterpath HVAC Replacement as well as the painting and repairs for the Prince George Parking Garage, and discussed the possibility of moving the funds for the Lafayette Street Reconstruction to another fiscal year. He says he is not proposing finding new revenues.
Vice Mayor Pat Dent echoed the Mayor’s sentiment about the Quarterpath HVAC Replacement. DeWitt mentioned they are looking at grant funding as well for the project since it is Williamsburg’s emergency shelter location.
The public will have further opportunity to comment at the April 9 City Council Meeting at 2 p.m. in the Stryker Center, the May 11 City Council Work Session at 4 p.m. in the Stryker Center, and the May 14 City Council Meeting at 2 p.m. at the Stryker Center. Citizens are also invited to use the Balancing Act tool online to increase and decrease expenditures in different areas to get a feel for what it is like.
For more information about meetings and to read the full budget, please visit the official city website.
