Franklin County Board of Supervisors Meeting 03/17/2026

The Franklin County, VA Board of Supervisors held a meeting on March 17, 2026, focusing extensively on budget discussions, particularly regarding funding for public schools and county operations. The school system presented a needs-based budget request totaling approximately $8.9 million, including $3.9 million to correct teacher salary step freezes, $350,000 for market adjustments for certain positions, and $780,000 for capital improvements such as new school buses, fire alarm replacements, and security upgrades. The Board discussed the challenges of aging infrastructure, including urgent HVAC system replacements estimated at $11 million, and the need for borrowing to fund large capital projects. The county administrator proposed a balanced budget with a 3-cent real estate tax increase and a 2% meals tax increase to generate additional revenue, alongside funding for health insurance increases, cost-of-living adjustments, and some new positions in public safety. The Board also considered a potential 1% local sales tax dedicated to school construction, pending state approval and voter referendum. Public comments strongly urged full funding of the school budget to address teacher pay, staffing shortages, and facility needs. The meeting included discussions on procurement-related topics such as contract management for school facility upgrades and the need for competitive bidding processes. Overall, the meeting highlighted significant budgetary pressures, capital improvement needs, and the Board's intent to engage in transparent budget work sessions with the school board.