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 recognized as Top Virginia Employer for Interns
In other business, County Manager John A. Vithoulkas shared that Henrico has been recognized as a Top Virginia Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The county has earned the recognition annually since 2023. Since 2012, Henrico has hired 1,093 interns, with 169 of them, about 15%, becoming full-time employees with the county. More information is available on the internship webpage.
“It’s an incredible pipeline that you’ve created,” Vithoulkas told Debbie Lumpkin, intern coordinator for the Department of Human Resources.
The meeting also included recognitions of April as Arab American Heritage Month, April 24 as Arbor Day and April 19-25 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week, National Library Week and Volunteer Week.
Arab American Heritage Month: Elham Khairi, the county’s new multicultural liaison, said the recognition “reflects a commitment to ensuring that people from all backgrounds feel seen, heard and included.”
She shared that she’s from Sai Island in northern Sudan and speaks Arabic, the country’s official language. “In my role as multicultural liaison, I look forward to helping build bridges across communities, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for engagement that reflect the diversity of Henrico County,” she said. “My goal is to ensure that every resident feels a sense of belonging and connection.”
Arbor Day: Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody K. Rogish shared a proclamation recognizing the day observed for planting trees and highlighting their many benefits to the environment and society. He reiterated Henrico’s commitment to enhancing the tree canopy, noting the county has planted nearly 18,000 trees in the past three years, including about 10,000 trees this year.
The county’s Arbor Day Celebration & Plant Sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the Virginia Randolph Museum, 2200 Mountain Road. In 1908, Virginia E. Randolph, Henrico’s pioneering educator, planted 12 sycamore trees by the Mountain Road School as part of what was the first Arbor Day celebration organized at a school for Black students in Virginia.
Crime Victims’ Rights Week: The proclamation aims “to ensure that crime victims’ rights and services are not only recognized annually, but provided daily.”
National Library Week: The proclamation “encourages all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways the library helps our community find joy.” Information on library programs and services is on the Henrico County Public Library website.
Volunteer Week: The proclamation “expresses the County’s deepest appreciation to each volunteer for their time, talent, and commitment to meeting the critical needs of our community.” Henrico promotes volunteer service activities through its Outreach and Engagement Agency. In 2025, an average of nearly 7,000 volunteers per month contributed more than 83,000 hours to Henrico, enhancing services and programs and enriching the lives of residents. Those hours represent an estimated $2.8 million in value to the community, officials said.
Property acquisition OK’d for South Laburnum sidewalk project
The board authorized condemnation proceedings for property needed to extend sidewalks along a portion of South Laburnum Ave., near Finley Street. The county is seeking to acquire 640 square feet of rights-of-way and 1,070 square feet of temporary construction easement at 4800 S. Laburnum Avenue. The county will continue to seek a settlement with the property owner. Sidewalks are planned along portions of northbound and southbound Laburnum, between White Oak Village/Audubon Drive and Williamsburg Road.
County to participate in settlements of opioid-related claims
The board agreed to participate in proposed settlements of claims related to the devastation caused by opioids. The settlements are expected to provide about $90,000 for the county to address addiction and other problems caused by the opioid crisis. The claims are against six companies plus their affiliates and subsidiaries: Associated Pharmacies Inc. and American Associated Pharmacies; JM Smith Corp.; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company Inc.; Morris and Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company Inc.; and United Natural Foods Inc., including its subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics.
To support individuals in their recovery from opioid addiction, free naloxone is available to the public in Empower Henrico Distribution Cabinets installed in two libraries and four mental health offices.
County to seek recertification as Crime Prevention Community
The board authorized the Police Division to seek Henrico’s recertification as a Certified Crime Prevention Community. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Criminal Justice Services Board established the program to recognize localities that have implemented a set of community safety strategies as part of a comprehensive community safety and crime prevention effort. Henrico was one of 12 localities recognized when it received its most recent certification in 2023.
Property to be acquired to improve drainage, flood mitigation
The board voted to acquire property at 4701 Mulford Road, near Gay Avenue, for $370,000 to improve drainage and flood mitigation.
Contracts awarded for Public Works, Public Utilities projects
The board voted to award annual contracts to Arcadis U.S. Inc. and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to provide engineering services for joint projects of Public Works and Public Utilities. A total of 11 proposals were submitted. The contracts will be based on agreed-upon rates that will not exceed $2.5 million for any single project or $10 million per one-year term.
The board’s next meeting will be held April 28.