Investing in Competitive Compensation
To attract and retain top talent, the Board funded targeted wage and classification adjustments totaling $1,655,973, including: • 3% midpoint-based wage adjustment for full- and part-time staff • Additional market-based adjustments for public safety positions (Sheriff, COFEMS, ECC)
• Adjusted pay scales for general government and first responders • Continued support for the public safety Career Step program.
Additionally, the County participated in state-funded 1.5% bonuses for social service and constitutional office employees, supplementing $45,654 locally for those not covered by the Compensation Board. OCPS also received separate funding for teacher retention bonuses. Orange County continues to lead on wage equity, with all part-time positions already exceeding Virginia’s $15/hour minimum wage. Real Estate Reassessment & Revenue Strategy Education & Public Safety Highlights
Investments in schools and emergency services remain core:
FY26 saw the first in-house real estate reassessment, resetting property values and realigning the tax year: • General Fund tax rate: $0.47 per $100 (equalized) • Fire/EMS levy: $0.15 per $100 (four cents above equalized rate) • Combined rate: $0.62 per $100, down from $0.75 in FY25 • Property values increased by over 30% from 2020 Fee updates include: • Landfill tipping: $60/ton (up from $55) • Ambulance billing adjustments • Miscellaneous fee changes based on program costs
• OCPS operating support: +$751,979 • Capital funds: $350,000 for classroom conversions at Locust Grove Elementary School • School debt service: +$223,806 • State education funding: +$2.71 million • Federal school funds: +$53,228
Public safety expansions include:
• $743,054 for first responder pay plan • Career step funding: $68,349 • 3% of midpoint wage boosts: $354,659 • Volunteer fire department support: +$99,496 • Fire/EMS operational increases: $375,365 • Training staff and materials: $250,171 total
Rescue engine replacement efforts continue, with deferred payments expected to begin in FY27.
See the full schedule.
Capital Investments & Balanced Adoption
A combined total of $14.2 million in capital and debt service funding—$700,161 above baseline —advances priority infrastructure. Initial budget proposals included new facilities and programs that were ultimately delayed, and the budget was balanced using $3.31 million from reserves. The final budget was adopted on May 13, 2025, following advertised hearings.
The full Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Book is available online.
6
Powered by FlippingBook