Board hears from the public

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

HANOVER – The Hanover County Board of Supervisors continued to gather input from the public recently ahead of this week’s expected votes on the fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget, 2023 real estate tax rate, five year capital improvement program (CIP) and other major financial decisions.

Public hearings were the focus of the board’s meeting on Wednesday, April 5 as the board continued to hear from the public on the important fiscal decisions it has to make for the next year and beyond.

The subjects of the April 5 public hearings, which the board is expected to vote on at its meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, include the county’s FY24 proposed budget, five-year capital improvements program, five-year general fund financial plan and the proposed 2023 tax rates. The 2023 tax rates remain unchanged except for a decrease in the data center equipment rate (decrease from $3.57 to 45 cents) and the recycling service district (increase from $41 to $46).

The board is also expected to vote on four ordinances with varying purposes: to increase solid waste disposal fees (such as $5 increase for mattresses and box springs and $10 per ton increase for oversize logs, commercial and construction waste); increase water and sewer capacity and user fees (5% increases); change to the income thresholds for the tax relief for elderly and disabled program (increase each income level by $5,000 to allow for greater participation); and declare a financial surplus from real property taxes in the amount of $4 million for the 2023 tax year.