Chesterfield County Details FY27 Budget Breakdown
TL;DR: Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors approved a $2.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, with the $1.1 billion general fund growing 4.7 percent and focusing on education, public safety, and cybersecurity.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- What: Approved $2.3 billion FY27 budget with $1.1 billion general fund
- When: March 2026 (for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026)
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors approved a $2.3 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027, with the general fund totaling $1.1 billion and representing a $49 million increase (4.7 percent) from FY26. County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey characterized the budget as focused on "absolutely strengthening and fortifying what we already have on the ground," with 99.8 percent of new funding directed to existing services rather than new initiatives.
The budget allocates 83 percent of resources to core priorities: education, public safety, and infrastructure. Education received the largest share of new funding, including $15 million for Chesterfield County Public Schools. The school funding supports a 5 percent pay increase for teachers, accelerated bus replacements, and debt service for a new high school along with two ongoing elementary school construction projects (a western high school, a replacement for Grange Hall Elementary, and a new elementary school in the Dale District).
Public safety received $3.7 million to maintain competitive salaries with regional peers and address rising demand for Police, Fire, EMS, and Sheriff's Office services. The county also invested $2.7 million in advanced technology and digital infrastructure enhancements to protect against cybersecurity threats.
The budget included tax relief measures: the Board reduced the personal property tax rate by 10 cents, from $3.35 to $3.25 per $100 of assessed value, making it the lowest in the region. The real estate tax rate remained unchanged at 89 cents per $100 of assessed value (down from 95 cents over the past four years). The county allocated $5 million to expand tax relief for seniors and disabled veterans and raised the small business license tax threshold.
According to the county, Chesterfield maintains the lowest operating cost per capita among peer localities and has held that distinction since 1998.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Approved the FY27 budget
- Dr. Joe Casey: County administrator
- Dr. Mark Miller: Board of Supervisors chair
Key dates
- 2026-07-01: FY27 budget takes effect
The case for
Deliberate, measured approach that prioritizes strengthening existing essential services (schools, public safety, cybersecurity) over expansion, keeping tax burden among the lowest regionally while maintaining competitive employee salaries to address workforce challenges.
The case against
A 4.7 percent general fund increase and limited new operating resources ($2.7 million out of $1.1 billion) may constrain the county's ability to address emerging needs, population growth, or service gaps beyond maintaining current levels.
Why it matters: The budget determines how Chesterfield allocates $2.3 billion annually across schools, emergency services, roads, and technology systems that directly affect residents' education, safety, and service quality. Tax rate decisions impact household costs, while employee salary investments affect service delivery and workforce stability.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-03-01Chesterfield County unveils $2.3 billion proposed budget for FY27: County administration introduces $1.1 billion general fund budget with focus on education, public safety, and cybersecurity [source]
- 2026-03-01Board of Supervisors approves FY27 budget and reduces personal property tax: Supervisors vote to approve $2.3 billion budget with 10-cent reduction in personal property tax rate to $3.25 per $100 value [source]
- 2026-07-01FY27 budget becomes effective: Approved budget takes effect and directs county spending across all departments and services [source]
Related links
- Board of Supervisors Approves Personal Property Tax Rate, Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
- The Secret Sauce: Chesterfield's FY27 Budget Addresses Growth, Challenges, and Community Need
- Budget Development and Documents
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- The Secret Sauce: Chesterfield's FY27 Budget Addresses Growth, Challenges, and Community Need
- Board of Supervisors Approves Personal Property Tax Rate, Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
- Chesterfield supervisors pass $2.3B FY2027 budget