The Board of Supervisors on April 13, 2022 unanimously adopted the Hanover County budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins on July 1. Highlights include replacing three elementary schools – and renovating a fourth – within five years, building a new fire station, investing in employees to maintain market-competitive salaries, and enhancing the County’s Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled program.
Hanover County has three elementary schools that are over 80 years old. The financial plan proposed by County Administrator John A. Budesky consolidates Henry Clay and John M. Gandy elementary schools into a new facility, advances the replacement of Battlefield Park and Washington-Henry elementary schools and makes major renovation improvements to Beaverdam elementary over the next five years.
The budget also sets aside $25 million in initial funding for county facility infrastructure. A facilities study is currently under way to identify and prioritize construction and renovation needs over the next twenty-five years.
In the area of Public Safety, the new Fire Station will be built to support 24/7 staffing and faster response times in the Laurel Meadow area. In addition, seven new paid firefighters will be added to increase Henry Fire Company #6 to 24-hour coverage.
Challenges have also intensified in the local job market, with the County facing much higher turnover rates among employees and growing recruitment and retention challenges. The Board’s budget includes funding for a merit increase of 5% and targeted, market-based salary adjustments.
The Board made a significant enhancement to the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled program, increasing both eligibility for the program and the amount of relief available for those most vulnerable and in need in our community. More details about the changes to the County’s Tax Relief program can be read here.
There were no changes in property tax rates, and Hanover’s real estate tax rate of 81 cents remains the lowest among the four largest localities in the Richmond region.
Detailed information about the County FY23 budget can be read here.