WILLIAMSBURG— No changes were made to the Fiscal Year 2027 city budget between the City Council Work Session on April 6 and the meeting on April 9.
The proposed budget is $121,154,362. 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.
During the meeting on Monday, Mayor Douglas Pons and Vice Mayor Pat Dent discussed with the Intim City Manager that they would like to see funds found for the Prince George Street Parking Garage repairs and the HVAC System replacement at Quarterpath. Interim City Manager Michele Mixner DeWitt agreed to try and find some funding for the two projects.
Council Member Barbara Ramsey, though, brought up a point during the budget comments.
“If we actually wanted to try and make an impact for visitation for this summer, we would need to try and find some funds now,” said Ramsey about the parking garage after clarifying with DeWitt that the funds would not be accessible until the start of the new budget if approved. DeWitt said she would also be happy to work with staff on that.
“[The parking garage] is looking in pretty dire conditions, and so if there is that opportunity, we’d certainly welcome hearing how we could do that,” said Pons.
The public will have further opportunity to comment at 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, visit the official city website.
