Gloucester supervisors held public hearings on the county’s proposed FY 2025 budget and the accompanying tax rates last Wednesday, March 27, in the T.C. Walker Education Center auditorium.

The budget, which calls for no tax increase, would provide level funding to Gloucester schools, a 3.2 percent COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for county personnel, select staff additions and promotions, and support of existing external agencies and partners. The proposal also includes a 12 percent increase in health insurance costs, an addition to the county administrator’s contingency plan up to $500,000, and a need for one-time funds to balance the operating budget due to low revenues.

One change made was that the almost $1 million in tax relief is now a little over $1 million in tax relief. County Administrator Carol Steele, who gave the overall presentation, said that the proposed FY25 budget is balanced on a real estate tax rate of 58.3 cents per $100 of assessed value and a personal pro...