S
tafford County supervisors voted to raise the real-estate tax rate by 3 cents, from $0.8936 per $100 of assessed value to $0.9236 per $100, in a meeting that lasted late into Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. The vote was 4-3, with County Administrator Bill Ashton's proposal for a 5-cent increase being rejected.

    The tax hike will help fund a budget exceeding $1 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1. Supervisors also approved the budget itself after trimming $4.2 million from Ashton's proposed spending plan. The cuts included reductions in funding for various organizations and events, including the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance and the county's Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

    The budget includes a 2.75 percent pay raise for public safety and government employees, effective January 1. It also allocates around $175 million for school operating costs, about $5 million more than this year's level. However, this will not be enough to fully fund the School Board-approved education budget of $503.1 million.

    To address this shortfall, supervisors agreed to hold a public hearing on May 20 to consider increasing the county meals tax rate from 5 percent to 6 percent and the transient occupancy tax rate from 9 percent to 11 percent. The revenue generated would be used to fund raises for school employees, potentially matching the 2.75 percent hike given to county government workers.

    The School Board will discuss the supervisors' votes at a meeting on Thursday. Supervisors also unanimously approved a $1.4 billion capital improvement program for fiscal years 2026-2035, with 52 percent of funds allocated to school projects.

    During a public hearing preceding the vote, 47 people spoke, with 24 expressing strong support for increased school funding and eight showing some level of support. The Board of Supervisors chambers were filled to capacity, requiring an overflow room.

    The votes followed lengthy and sometimes tense debate among supervisors, particularly between those who supported the tax increase and those who opposed it. Rock Hill District Supervisor Crystal Vanuch voted against the tax rate hike and budget, citing concerns about affordability for residents.