BY JANET BERNOSKY, Eastern Shore Post —
Accomack County homeowners could feel a hit to their pocketbooks in the form of a real-estate tax increase proposed as part of the county’s Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget.
County Administrator Mike Mason shared details about the proposed increase during his presentation to the Board of Supervisors on Monday, Feb. 3.
The draft operating budget is $76.6 million for the next fiscal year. In addition, there is an $8.4 million capital budget and $3.7 million in debt service, totaling $88.9 million in total expenditures.
The proposal would see the real-estate tax rate jump approximately 5 cents, from 48.4 cents per $100 of assessed value to 53.4 cents.
Mason said the proposed increase is necessary to help address the structural imbalance that exists in the county’s EMS funding — service costs exceed its dedicated revenue stream.
He said that a 1-cent increase in real estate taxes generates approximately $577,000 in annual revenue.
Mason also said that real estate tax rates here are still lower than in surrounding counties.
The rate is 68.5 cents per assessed $100 in valuation in Northampton County and 95.7 cents per $100 valuation in Worcester County, Md.
Approximately 55% of county revenue comes from real estate taxes.
No change is proposed in the personal property tax rate of $3.72 per assessed $100, which has remained unchanged for decades.
Mason has suggested a 10-cents-per-pack increase in the county’s cigarette tax, from 20 to 30 cents.
He said the cigarette tax for Northampton and Worcester counties, along with Chincoteague, is 40 cents per pack.
The cigarette tax increase will generate an extra $376,787 in revenue.
The county’s largest expenditures go to education (27%) and public safety (24%, with 12.8% going toward EMS services).
Mason proposed the local share for the 2026 budget to Accomack County Public Schools will total $23,427,866. This represents an increase of $314,042 from last year.
He stated that Accomack County has very little debt and is working to increase its “rainy day” fund to cover unexpected expenses.
Mason added that the budget he presented is balanced, as required by the Code of Virginia.
The supervisors expressed the desire to have the new budget approved between the end of February to mid-March at the latest.
