Amherst County Leaders Grapple with Difficult Budget and Real Estate Tax Rate

Residents face steep property tax hikes as county leaders seek to balance budget needs

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Amherst County Board of Supervisors is working to address a challenging budget situation and determine the real estate tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. Many homeowners in the county have seen significant increases in their property assessments, leading to concerns about higher tax bills. The board is weighing options to lessen the burden on residents while also funding county operations and services.

Why it matters

This issue is crucial for Amherst County residents, as rising property taxes can create financial hardship, especially for long-time homeowners on fixed incomes. The county's decisions on the budget and tax rate will have a direct impact on the community and could shape the local economy and cost of living.

The details

During a recent board meeting, one resident spoke up about his concerns, noting that his property assessments had increased by as much as 19%. The current real estate tax rate in the county is 61 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the county has shared that an 'equalized' rate of 39 cents per $100 would be needed to maintain last year's budget. However, the board expressed concerns that the 39-cent rate would require cutting services and laying off employees. The board ultimately voted 4-1 to move forward with a public hearing on a 61-cent tax rate, though they acknowledged this was too high and pledged to find a way to lower it.

  • The Amherst County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 to discuss the budget and tax rate.
  • The board will hold another budget workshop meeting on March 17, 2026.

The players

Amherst County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Amherst County, Virginia that is responsible for setting the county's budget and tax rates.

Tracie Morgan

The Amherst County Finance Director who provided the board with budget projections and analysis.

Tom Martin

The Chairman of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Claudia Tucker

A member of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors who shared a statement on Facebook following the meeting.

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What they’re saying

“My numbers went from nine percent on one piece of property to 19-percent on another piece of property.”

— Amherst County Resident (WSET)

“39-cent would not even fund last year's budget. I mean it is what it is because revenue sources in other places went down.”

— Tom Martin, Chairman, Amherst County Board of Supervisors (WSET)

“If we were to go to 39 cents, we would be more than likely cutting service and laying people off.”

— Tom Martin, Chairman, Amherst County Board of Supervisors (WSET)

What’s next

The Amherst County Administration team will now prepare for a public hearing regarding the budget and another public hearing regarding the real estate tax in the next month in order to allow families time to prepare and come give feedback on both items.

The takeaway

Amherst County leaders are facing a difficult balancing act as they work to address rising property assessments and determine an appropriate real estate tax rate. Their decisions will have significant implications for residents and the local economy, underscoring the importance of public input and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to this complex issue.