New Kent County’s Proposed $266M Budget: Big Projects, Bigger Conversations

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I keep a close eye on what’s happening not just in Williamsburg, but across all of our surrounding counties. Why? Because these decisions—budgets, taxes, infrastructure—directly shape the lifestyle, affordability, and long-term value of the communities we call home.

And right now, New Kent County is front and center.

A Budget That Nearly Doubles Overnight

New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway has proposed a $266.4 million budget for FY2026–27, up dramatically from the current year’s $136.5 million.

That’s not a typo.

This is nearly a $130 million increase, and it’s driven almost entirely by a handful of major capital improvement projects (CIP).

The Two Big Drivers: Courthouse + Elementary School

At the heart of this proposal are two major projects:

New Courthouse + Renovation of Existing Building Estimated Cost: $70 million → Includes a brand-new courthouse and converting the current building into office space New Elementary School Estimated Cost: $58 million → Planned behind the current New Kent Elementary, replacing a 1973 facility considered outdated

Together, these two projects alone account for $128 million—which explains almost the entire jump in the proposed budget.

There’s also a third, smaller but still notable project:

Fire Station #2 in Quinton Estimated Cost: $6.4 million

How It Gets Paid For (Hint: Taxes Are Going Up)

Let’s talk about what everyone really wants to know…

Yes—taxes are going up.

New Kent recently completed a reassessment, which adjusted the “equalized” tax rate to 54 cents per $100 of value. The proposed new rate is 59 cents, effectively a 5-cent increase.

Here’s how that breaks down:

4 cents → Pays for debt service on the courthouse and school 1 cent → Covers general operating expenses

For context:

Each penny on the tax rate = about $631,503 in revenue The total increase is expected to generate over $3 million

Where the Money Is Going Beyond Construction

Outside of the big-ticket projects, the county is still investing in operations:

$55.7 million allocated to New Kent Public Schools $2.1–$2.2 million for new Sheriff’s Office positions Includes deputies, traffic officers, an investigator, and animal control Funded largely by I-64 speed camera revenue $978K for employee compensation and benefits $724K in increased transfers to DSS, CSA, and schools

Interestingly, no other county departments are adding staff, a sign that leadership is trying to keep spending tight elsewhere.

Utilities Are Going Up Too

It’s not just real estate taxes.

The proposed budget also includes:

4% increase in water and sewer rates 4% increase in connection and availability fees

The public utility budget sits at $9.5 million, with modest capital projects like tank mixers and system repairs.

A Closer Look at Debt and Funding

To make all of this work, the county is leaning heavily on financing:

$131.5 million in debt service funding Additional funding sources include: Colonial Downs reserve funds: $8.1M Fund balance: $7.5M Federal/state funds: $5.1M CVTA funds and proffers: smaller contributions

In short—this is a long-term investment strategy, not a pay-as-you-go approach.

The Debate: Build New or Renovate?

One of the more interesting dynamics here is the ongoing debate about the elementary school.

Some officials have suggested renovating the existing building, while the school board continues to push for a brand-new facility.

Sound familiar?

We see this same conversation play out all across Hampton Roads—

renovate vs. rebuild, short-term savings vs. long-term functionality.

What Happens Next

If you live in—or are considering New Kent—this is where you can get involved:

April 13 → Public hearing on tax rates May 11 → Public hearing on the full budget May 26 → Scheduled adoption date

My Take (And Why This Matters to You)

Here’s the reality…

This isn’t just a New Kent story.

This is a regional story.

We’re seeing the same pattern everywhere:

Aging infrastructure Growing populations Increasing demand for services And the inevitable question… who pays for it?

New Kent is choosing to move forward with big investments—schools, courts, public safety—and funding it through a mix of debt and modest (but meaningful) tax increases.

For buyers and homeowners, this matters in a few key ways:

Taxes impact affordability New schools and infrastructure drive demand Long-term planning often supports property values

And candidly… counties that don’t invest often fall behind.

A Slightly Real-World Observation

Big projects don’t come cheap.

Courthouses, schools, fire stations… they’re all necessary.

But they also come with trade-offs—especially when they hit your tax bill.

The key question isn’t just “Are taxes going up?”

It’s “Are we getting value for what we’re paying?”

That’s where these public hearings—and public engagement—really matter.

Thinking About New Kent or the Surrounding Area?

If you’re exploring places like New Kent, Williamsburg, or anywhere in between Richmond and the coast, these are exactly the kinds of conversations we should be having.

Because buying a home isn’t just about the house…

It’s about the community, the direction it’s heading, and the decisions being made behind the scenes.

About the Author

I’m John Womeldorf, also known as Mr. Williamsburg.

I’ve been helping clients buy and sell homes across Williamsburg, New Kent, Richmond, and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. I’ve sold homes from the North Carolina border to west of Richmond—and everywhere in between.

But more than that, I see myself as a local ambassador.

I follow these kinds of stories because they matter—to homeowners, to buyers, and to anyone trying to understand where this region is headed next.

If you’re curious about New Kent, Williamsburg, or anywhere across Hampton Roads:

📞 Call or text: 757-254-8136

📧 Email: John@MrWilliamsburg.com

🌐 Website: mrwilliamsburg.com