STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Staunton City Council adopted its fiscal year 2027 budget during last night’s regular meeting.

The nearly 169-million-dollar spending plan is just over four million more than the adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Officials report that the adopted budget holds the real estate tax rate at 91 cents per 100 dollars of assessed value.

To address aging infrastructure and ensure the long-term reliability of city services, the budget includes scheduled fee increases.  

That includes a nearly five and a half percent hike in the water use fees and a seven percent jump in the sewer use fees.

The new rates will first appear on utility bills issued on September 10th.