New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway is proposing a $266 million budget for fiscal year 2027 for New Kent County, raising real estate taxes by 5 cents to fund borrowing for a new courthouse and an elementary school. The proposed budget includes $2.1 million for 11 new positions in the sheriff’s office, funded from income generated from the Interstate 64 speed cameras. The real estate tax rate would be adjusted to 59 cents per $100 in value, although recently reassessed properties equalized the rate to 54 cents. 4 cents of the increase would cover debt service for the courthouse and the replacement of New Kent Elementary School. Hathaway said staff would consider options to reduce the proposed tax increase during the budget process.