ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. – The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget by a 7-2 vote on Monday, with Supervisors Parks and DeGeorge voting against it. The budget includes moderate tax hikes aimed at addressing the county’s growing infrastructure and service needs. Among the key changes, the real estate tax rate will increase from $0.484 to $0.534 per $100 of assessed value, while the cigarette tax will rise from $0.20 to $0.30 per pack.
Despite these increases, the personal property tax rate will remain unchanged. County officials cited rising health insurance costs and the need for additional revenue to support essential services as the driving factors behind these increases. The proposed budget outlines several major allocations, including a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county staff and a 9.3% salary increase for dispatchers. Officials also plan significant investments in infrastructure, including funding for wastewater management, housing projects, and an update to the county’s comprehensive plan.
To enhance recreational opportunities, new senior programs and an amphitheater at Sawmill Park are in the works. Economic development efforts are set to include an access road to Wallops Research Park. In addition, the budget includes a $314,000 increase in funding for local education, bringing the county’s contribution to $23.4 million. A $9.5 million allocation for capital projects will cover various needs, such as public safety, vehicles, and IT infrastructure. The county will also contribute $972,774 to the Rainy Day Fund. County Administrator Mike Mason explained that the increase in the real estate tax would add $50 to a $100,000 property assessment, noting that even with the rise, Accomack’s tax rates remain among the lowest in Virginia.
