Local government budgets growing faster than inflation or population
Good Tuesday morning! Also today -- James City home sales slip but values surge, guide to early voting in the Democratic primary, and a list of fun events.
Anyone who’s been attending public budget hearings is familiar with the perennial tension between residents who want local governments to spend more to expand services and those who want relief from growing taxes.
As our representatives work to finalize their new budgets for the fiscal year starting July 1, we thought we’d take a look to see which side has been winning the battle.
Williamsburg Watch compared the growth in local budgets since 2017 – an admittedly arbitrary starting point –to growth in both inflation and population. We found spending increased significantly faster than either population or inflation, as you can see below:
In this budget race, James City County and Williamsburg are well ahead of York County in growing spending.
The numbers shown in this story are not strictly apples to apples. Programs change, and different localities have different organizations that impact spending. Some of the money spent comes from fees or grants. But regardless of source, all the programs require money from taxpayers, and all are outstripping the impact of inflation or population growth.
“As an example JCSA provides water and sewer (to James City County residents)”, York County Administrator Mark Bellamy noted. “We use Newport News Water Works – no infrastructure and no overhead for York. JCC has a community center with pool. York does not. We provide different levels of health insurance. So, apples, oranges and bananas – all fruit but some significant differences. “
James City County’s population has grown by about 12.8% since 2017, and the U.S. Census and the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank project it will reach around 85,000 residents this year.
During that time, the cumulative effect of inflation has raised prices by 28%.
James City County’s total budget will have grown by 87% in the same period of time, if the current 2026 proposal is approved. The number of full-time employees grew by 19% to 763, while part-time employees doubled to 128, according to the county’s records.
Williamsburg wasn’t far behind, with a budget increase of 83% since 2017. The city’s population is projected to have grown by 7.9 percent in that time, to around 16,174.
The city’s employee headcount will have increased by about 22%, to 238.5 if the budget is approved as proposed.
Williamsburg has been on a construction spree. City spokeswoman Nicole Trifone said part of the city’s spending growth went to major construction projects such as the fire station, police station and proposed library and expanded road projects, as well as salary raises. The city also increased its spending on education, she added.
James City County is teeing up a $189.5 million government center and a $50 million library.
York County has shown the smallest budget growth, up by 53% since the FY 2017 budget.
“I think we should be spending more on our (capital improvement) needs but services have always come first and it is easier to put off to tomorrow what should be done today,” York Chair Sheila Noll told us.
We reached out to all the elected officials in James City and Williamsburg but did not hear back.
Nearly half of James City County’s operating budget goes to the Williamsburg-James City County schools, which have increased their spending by 53% since their 2017 budget.
School enrollment has remained flat, in the 11,000 pupils range, but the schools have a larger number of economically disadvantaged students and students for whom English is a second language, which they say requires more spending.
Williamsburg, which has a smaller student body in the regional schools, will spend about 22% of its budget on education.
York County spends 38% of its budget on York County’s school system. The county’s large federal presence provides a significant amount of federal impact funds to support schools – a projected $19.6 million in the coming fiscal year.
York school budgets have increased 53% since 2017. Enrollment has finally caught up to its pre-pandemic numbers and stands at 13,225, according to the state department of education.
March home sales flat, JCC prices jump
Home sales in the Historic Triangle remained flat overall last month from the previous year, according to the Virginia Association of Realtors.
Home sales dropped by 19.2% in James City County. They grew in both Williamsburg (up 66.7%) and York County (19.7%) but not enough to offset the impact of James City County’s drop.
The median sales price jumped by double digits in James City County, to $475,000. York showed a more modest increase, to $442,925. Williamsburg sales prices dropped to $288,000, but on a relatively modest base of 12 sales.
More homes are being listed for sale in the area, however, which could produce some downward pressure on future prices.
The Realtors group said home listings increased by more than 20% in James City and Williamsburg during March. York County’s listings also grew, but at less than 20%.
Early voting starts Friday
In-person early voting for the Democratic June Primary races begins this Friday, May 2.
The ballots include candidates for the statewide lieutenant governor and attorney general races.
The Republican Party will not hold statewide primaries in June, as its candidates are uncontested for the party nominations.
City of Williamsburg voters can cast their ballots at the Voter Registrar’s Office, located in the Municipal Building at 401 Lafayette St., Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through June 13. The office will also be open two Saturdays: June 7 and June 14 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The City of Williamsburg Municipal Building will be closed for staff development on Friday, May 16, so in-person early voting will not occur that day.
James City County residents can vote Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 13 and on two Saturdays, June 7 and June 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Election office, 4095 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg VA 23188. Polls will be open on Primary Election Day, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17.
York County residents may vote Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both county locations at 5322 George Washington Memorial Highway or 6614 Mooretown Rd., St. A, Williamsburg. All regular polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on primary day, June 17.
Virginia allows same-day registration, meaning eligible voters can register at any time, up to and including Election Day.
Fun & Games
TODAY
Historic Garden Week, $60. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday May 2
Merchants Square concert series kicks off with free concert by Cam Clark. 6 p.m.. Merchants Square, Duke of Gloucester St.
Saturday May 3
25th annual Williamsburg British and Import Car Show. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Free.
2025 Williamsburg Craft Beer Festival. 1-5 p.m. Jamestown Beach Event Park. $60 for unlimited beer tastings from 30+ breweries.
Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, Yorktown Riverwalk Landing. Noon-6 p.m. Beer, food trucks and a wine garden plus music events.
Sunday, May 4:
David Wilcox, folk musician, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. 4 p.m.
Monday, May 5:
Williamsburg Symphony and Williamsburg Youth Orchestra Side-by-Side concert. $10/students free. Williamsburg Community Chapel. 4 p.m.
State headlines
“Game Changing” Behavioral health center unveiled in Hampton
Wittman constituents host town hall in his absence to address immigration, federal funding concerns
Congressman Gerry Connolly to retire as cancer returns
Passings
August David Barglof, 3, April 24.
MJ "Jay" Hobgood Jr., 58, April 24.
This is great analysis. I would say our Bd of Supervisors is asleep, but they know what they are doing. They have abdicated their responsibility. Everyone should attend the BoS meeting 5PM, May 13th, at Bldg F, Mounts Bay Road and speak out against this crazy spending. Be there before 5PM to be able to sign up to speak. 3 minutes each.