In a low turnout last week, only eight people spoke out on Gloucester’s proposed FY 2019 budget, while two addressed the proposed tax levies.

The hearings were held on Wednesday, March 28, in the T.C. Walker Education Center’s auditorium.

The $115.2 million draft budget, as presented by County Administrator Brent Fedors, represents an increase of $1.95 million, or 1.7 percent, from the current operating budget. To pay for the increase, Fedors proposed a penny-and-a-half increase on the real estate tax rate, from the current rate of 69.5 cents per $100 of assessed value to 71 cents.

As it stands, the proposed budget provides a $1.86 million increase in the local transfer to the school system, geared toward addressing its compensation issues.

Public comment

Gloucester Point district resident Rita Fletcher asked for the supervisors’ continued support for adequate compensation for teachers in the school system. “My husband and I are retired,” she ...