A public hearing held Monday evening at Mathews High School on Mathews County’s proposed $28.14 million FY2021-2022 budget lasted less than nine minutes.

It was the first in-person meeting of the board since pandemic measures were put in place last year, but with a balanced budget, essentially level funding, and no tax increases proposed, there was sparse attendance, and only two members of the public made remarks during public comment period.

Mathews County Administrator Mindy Conner explained that the budget as proposed addresses the public safety radio project and matching funds for the broadband grant. She said there would be amendments to both the current budget and the upcoming budget when federal funds become available.

During public comment period, Mike Walls of Hudgins thanked the board for not increasing taxes and said he hoped it wasn’t just because it’s an election year. Dave Jones of Mathews didn’t address budget matters but instead told board members that some o...