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The Board of Supervisors approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that provides millions of dollars in additional funding for Henrico County Public Schools, despite a drop in state aid for education that was $12.3 million below initial estimates.

The county’s overall $1.4 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27 provides $789 million for HCPS. That’s an increase of $25 million, with local dollars accounting for nearly 98% of the additional funding.

In finalizing the plan Tuesday, supervisors pushed back against what they described as misinformation circulating among some on the School Board and others in the community that the county isn’t sufficiently funding education.

“If there is a need from schools, we try to meet it,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said. “We make sure schools are funded, so when there is a discourse about the Board of Supervisors not funding schools, that’s offensive.”

As examples of their support for education, the supervisors noted the county’s meals tax has generated $340 million since 2014, with all funds reserved for HCPS’ operating and capital needs. In addition, the county continues to fund HCPS at levels far above state-required levels. It’s also assuming responsibility for certain school system costs – including middle school field maintenance and oversight of HVAC maintenance – so HCPS officials can devote more attention to education.

Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt took issue with claims that the supervisors had cut funding for about 50 teaching positions for English Language Learners. By law, he and others noted, the supervisors can fund education only by providing funds to HCPS in a lump sum – as Henrico does – or in amounts associated with broad categories of spending. It cannot dictate line-item expenses, such as teacher positions.

Schmitt suggested the School Board revisit its budget to find the $6 million needed to fund its target number of ELL positions. He noted that would mean an adjustment of 0.667% of the school budget, which totals $914.3 million across all funds. He said he agreed those positions should be a priority.

“I’m very, very, very confident that a body of elected officials and a wonderful staff over at schools could figure out how to prioritize that, if that’s what they wanted,” he said.

Henrico’s budget takes effect for the year beginning July 1 and retains all current tax rates. The real estate tax rate remains 83 cents per $100 of assessed value. Water and sewer fees will increase by 5% to support annual operating, debt service and capital costs associated with water and sewer projects. The typical residential customer, who uses about 10 centum cubic feet – about 748 gallons – of water, can expect an average increase of $7.70 every two months. More information is available on the budget webpage.

The agenda and video of Tuesday’s meeting are available on the board’s webpage.

Henrico is enhancing its focus on environmental sustainability by tapping residents to help shape policies and guide initiatives, which will include the county’s first official strategy for addressing the effects of climate change.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed the first permanent members of the Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee (SRAC). The panel has 10 members – two from each magisterial district – who will serve as formal advisors and provide a community perspective on issues related to environmental sustainability, resilience and strategies for adapting to climate change. The county’s Sustainability Division is providing staff support to the committee.

The idea for SRAC grew from discussions about climate change and the county’s plan to develop a Climate Action & Adaptation Strategy. That project is getting underway and will build on work done through PlanRVA to create the region’s Priority Climate Action Plan and Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. The Board of Supervisors established SRAC in August with temporary appointees from the county’s staff.

“The Climate Action & Adaption Strategy will include recommendations for action, and SRAC will be instrumental in advising the process through implementation,” said Samantha Hudson, director of the Sustainability Division. “SRAC also will advise the county on related topics, including energy, preservation of greenspace and more.”

SRAC will complement the work of two other county groups focused on the environment. Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART) includes representatives from various departments that collaborate on projects and engage with the community and with students through its youth council. Keep Henrico Beautiful, led by community members appointed by the Board of Supervisors, focuses on litter prevention, recycling and education.

SRAC will meet at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month, beginning Feb. 4. Meetings will be held in the County Manager’s Conference Room on the third floor of the Administration Building at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road. The committee’s members are Marilee Tretina and Lynne Yurchak, of the Brookland District; Elizabeth “Beth” Kreydatus and Lisa Washington, of the Fairfield District; Mark Deutsch and Kim Jemaine, of the Three Chopt District; Danna Flaherty and Eric Haley, of the Tuckahoe District; and Becky Lakin and Elliot Reed, of the Varina District.

Since opening in mid-February, Bungalow City Firehouse 23 has enhanced fire protection and emergency medical response to areas of eastern Henrico. On Oct. 16, officials celebrated the station and its new fire engine with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event that included a traditional fire engine push-in ceremony.

“It’s already proven its worth,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said of the 14,000-square-foot station. “It has significantly reduced the call volume for other stations in the area and eventually will be home to a second ladder truck serving eastern Henrico.”

Located at 5618 Nine Mile Road, Firehouse 23 is named after its surrounding neighborhood of modest bungalow houses dating to the 1920s. Fire Chief Jackson Baynard has called it the “community’s firehouse.”

“It’s tight-knit and resilient – a thriving community to this day,” Nelson said of Bungalow City. “So, the name has deep roots, and it’s appropriate the fire station’s title reflects the community which it serves.”

The $14.5 million station includes three drive-thru bays, individual bunk rooms, a kitchen, a fitness room and a dayroom. It’s home to an engine, medic unit and BLS (basic life support) ambulance. Henrico voters approved funding for the facility through the 2016 bond referendum.

About 86% of the county’s voters endorsed the bond issuance for fire stations and related facilities, County Manager John Vithoulkas said.

“The station reiterates the county’s commitment to safeguarding the residents and businesses of our county and ensuring that every call for help is met with promptness and professionalism – and underscore, because of this Board of Supervisors – without a bill to the resident,” he said.