NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va. — County Administrator Matt Spuck presented a proposed $50.5 million budget to the Northampton County Board of Supervisors Tuesday night, outlining a spending plan that balances financial challenges with investments in key priorities.
The proposed budget represents a 6.2 percent increase over last year’s $47.6 million plan.
Spuck described the proposal as a “balanced spending plan” shaped by declining revenues, rising fixed costs, and a continued focus on employee retention, public safety, and essential county services.
Revenue Shortfalls Create Early Gap
The county entered the budget process facing a significant financial hurdle. According to Spuck, the loss of two one-time revenue sources from the previous fiscal year, combined with lower-than-expected interest earnings due to falling rates, reduced projected revenue by approximately $1.4 million.
At the same time, changes in the local composite index — which determines the county’s share of school funding — added more than $1 million in additional school-related expenses.
Altogether, these factors left the county facing a roughly $2.4 million shortfall before considering new spending priorities.
The County is proposing a real estate tax increase of almost 4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in its $50.5 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
Mr. Spuck told the Mirror, “Last year we budgeted for two transactions in revenue that only occur once due to their very nature. The first was a scheduled tax sale. We budgeted to raise $310k from this rarely occurring revenue stream. We also had a large USDA grant that funded the kitchen equipment for the new school. That amount was roughly $650k. The way government budgets (simplified) is we have the ability to budget for revenue to cover approved expenditures. Because we started the process by reducing revenue for prior year transactions, we started in a roughly $1m hole”.
Key Investments Target Workforce, Safety
Despite the financial pressures, the proposed budget prioritizes several areas:
- Employee retention: Includes a competitive wage increase for county staff
- Healthcare costs: The county will absorb a 20.5 percent increase in medical insurance premiums
- Environmental investment: A one-time $147,000 contribution to the Oyster Resiliency Project
- Public safety: Expanded funding for volunteer fire departments and continued investment in law enforcement technology
The county is proposing to increase per-station contributions to volunteer fire companies by $25,000 each, totaling an additional $125,000. In addition, the volunteer firefighter property tax incentive would rise significantly — from $125 to $1,250.
Law Enforcement Technology Maintained
The budget includes $102,000 to continue the service contract for Flock camera systems used by the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff David Doughty said the camera network has proven valuable in both criminal investigations and broader public safety efforts.
Relief for Agricultural Sector
In a move aimed at supporting local farmers and agricultural businesses, the proposal also includes a reduction in the tax rate on farm and heavy equipment. The rate would decrease by another 10 cents, bringing it down to 89 cents.
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