The Mathews County Board of Supervisors, meeting last Thursday, April 16, conducted a public hearing on the FY2027 budget. The members heard few complaints from the public about either the budget or the 2 cents per $100 of assessed value increase it will require in the real estate tax rate. However, board members themselves expressed concern about the budget as it stands and decided to have another workshop before adopting the budget on April 30. That workshop was set for 1 p.m. this coming Monday, April 27. County Administrator Ramona Wilson outlined a proposed budget that was originally advertised for $37.75 million, but that supervisors in subsequent budget workshops had lowered to $37.59 million by making various cuts, including cutting the school budget and halting implementation of a new classification and compensation plan for county employees. Wilson explained that these changes are possible because the law allows the board to reduce the amount of expenditures after the propose...