City Council hearing the new proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget at the City Council Work Session May 11.
From left: Stacey Kern-Scheerer, Vice Mayor Pat Dent, Mayor Douglas Pons, Council Members Barbara Ramsey and Ayana Williams
WILLIAMSBURG 一 The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget was significantly revised during the May 11 City Council work session, cutting several staff requests while redirecting funds to capital improvement priorities amid potential revenue shortfalls.
The changes were made from the last meeting after the Interim City Manager, Michele Mixner DeWitt, spoke to members of council and received public input.
The initial budget proposed 13 full-time employees be added to the city across various departments, including the fire department. The new proposed budget has the full-time employees cut to 7.5, bringing the requested funds down from $884,622 to $538,109.
“I’d like us to not fund the [14] positions because our previous city manager bloated his department with enormous growth as been pointed out by a previous city manager. Postpone, i.e. do not fund do not fund them this year. And then reassess next year which positions should be filled,” said David Kranbuehl, a Williamsburg resident during the public comment period.
The cuts included three positions from the fire department, one from parks and recreation, a half-position from planning and codes compliance, two from public works and utilities, and a half-position from the commissioner of the revenue.
“With us not getting our three positions, we’re going to have to reevaluate our current staffing because we have different work demands and work flows that have got to be addressed,” said Williamsburg Fire Chief Larry Snyder.
DeWitt added that one of the proposed full-time employees from Public Works & Utilities would be funded by the Utility fund rather than the General Fund. DeWitt identified $370,000 in operational efficiencies to cut, bringing the total reduced expenditures to $716,513.
There are also two commercial real estate assessment appeals that will create a possible decrease in revenue by $232,450. The Board of Equalization will meet on June 23 to decide. With the possible deduction of revenue in mind, DeWitt transferred $484,063 from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Plan.
In prior meetings, city council identified the Quarterpath HVAC, Prince George Parking Garage repairs and the African American Heritage Trail as priorities. The revised proposal funds those projects using fiscal year 2026 carry-forward funds and a William & Mary contribution for a new fire truck. The allocations are pending council action May 14. A portion of the heritage trail would also be supported by savings from reduced positions and operational efficiencies.
Some projects were removed from carry-forward plans after grant funding was not awarded, including the Waller Mill Training Facility approved in fiscal year 2023 and the Library Regional Partner Revenue approved in fiscal year 2026. The Duke of Gloucester Street Bollard Project and Trail 757 are proposed to be deferred to fiscal year 2028. DeWitt said city council could amend the budget to restore the projects if funding becomes available.
No changes have been made to the proposed water rate change, and there is still no change to the current real estate tax.
Budget adoption has been moved to a special City Council meeting May 27 to allow more time for discussion and public feedback. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 14 at the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary St. The agenda is available on the city’s website.
