CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – With Charlottesville’s 2025 budget done, spotlight turns to Albemarle with its big budget public hearing at its Wednesday Board of Supervisors meeting. County Assistant CFO Andy Bowman says while keeping real estate tax rates where they are, two other increases provide $1.9-million to finance new priorities. This new revenue would pay for 24-7 staffing of the North Garden and Berkmar rescue squads… add 3 more HART teams for emergency response… finance 1 more sheriff’s deputy for temporary detention orders… and add one more police officer.

Supervisor Mike Pruitt does not support the need for another TDO deputy at this time, wanting to see how the new HART teams impact that demand. But Diantha McKeel noted Sheriff Chan Bryant actually asked for four, and they’re looking at just one. She pointed out Sheriff Bryant couldn’t staff the last BOS meeting because she was called away, and so was her deputy designated to be there instead of her.

The budget proposes raising the lodging tax by 1-percent, and personal property tax by 54-cents. The public hearing is the first item on the 6pm Wednesday evening action agenda.