JAMES CITY — James City County citizens want less spending and no tax increases in the county’s upcoming budget.
That was the message delivered to the Board of Supervisors during a public hearing on Tuesday as the county begins putting together a budget for the fiscal year. The county administrator’s budget proposal is scheduled to be released in May.
Seven members of the community spoke during the hearing, including Michele Geesaman, who asked supervisors to have referendums for future large-scale projects. Her concerns followed the approval of a new $189.5 million new government center and $25 million library annex, she said. The project has seen public opposition, including a lawsuit filed to stop it.
Geesaman said she didn’t want the county creating debt to be paid by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“When the considerations to paying for these come down to raising our taxes, it affects my household. It affects my children,” she said.
Linda Wise asked for supervisors to not increase residents’ real estate taxes. She also asked that expenses for the government center be reduced, with extra funds being used toward programs in Williamsburg-James City County Schools.
Mike Joseph suggested that funding be used to hire new teachers for special needs children and toward teacher salaries. Joseph said it’s important to be competitive with neighboring school districts.
“We read so much about our academic proficiencies nationwide, and even locally, being subpar,” Joseph said. “We need to do everything to bring that up to be competitive.”
Also Tuesday, supervisors approved an amendment that allows Coastal Community Church to purchase Building B at the Williamsburg Pottery, located at 6810 Richmond Road. The 14-acre space will be the permanent location for the church’s Williamsburg campus, which launched in 2023. It will include a 1,000-seat auditorium, a small office space and classrooms for its Coastal Kids Sunday School program.
The church began nearly 25 years ago at a Grafton High School rental facility in York County, Pastor Shaun Brown said. With seven campus created since then, including in Chesapeake and Richmond, the Williamsburg campus was the only one without a permanent location. The church previously used rental space at 1100 Jamestown Road for the Williamsburg campus, which has since grown to have 600 weekly attendees.
“We need stability and a stable presence for our Williamsburg campus,” Brown said. “That’s the hope.”
Supervisors also approved a permit for the Williamsburg School for the Arts & Innovation’s permanent campus, located at 4300 John Tyler Highway. The 5.7-acre vacant space is a former Bright Horizons Day Care Center and has not been used for two years.
The private school aims to expand access to art and theater opportunities for local youth. Founded four years ago by Krista John, the school has been looking for a permanent home after operating in public spaces such as the Stryker Center and at local churches, said husband Garry John.
The school will offer school-age children and homeschool students programs in acting, dance, music and theater productions as well as STEM classes and design skills. It will also provide after-school classes and summer camps.
“We’re trying to be a big part of the community and a big positive part as well,” Garry John said.
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, [email protected]