Over the last few weeks, we’ve highlighted parts of the proposed Kenbridge town budget, taking a look at why some sections were forced to increase over the current fiscal year. Today is a bit different. This is our final piece dealing with the Kenbridge budget, and we’re looking at a line item involving a decrease, rather than an increase.

In the proposed town budget, which is set to take effect July 1, Kenbridge’s contributions to emergency services is scheduled to drop to $128,904 from the current $140,954.

“Keeping this department’s expenses below expectations is a step in the right direction for tax rates to stay the same,” Kenbridge Town Manager Tony Matthews told the Dispatch after the release of the 2025-26 budget.

It is helpful to understand the emergency services department is more than just one entity for Kenbridge. Emergency services include a wide range of entities like law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical departments, and specialized units for disaster response and hazardous material response, when necessary. These services are intended to provide prompt and effective assistance for Kenbridge during critical situations, such as medical emergencies, fires, crime scenes, or natural disasters. 

The town is able to reduce costs for this policy area in the coming cycle because Kenbridge obtained grants to cover expenses under emergency services. Lunenburg County is also supplementing emergency service efforts in Kenbridge with their allotted funding.
“The citizens’ benefit will continue to be the same or better on a county-wide response time and service,” Matthews said. “This will help the citizens of the town as the county is stepping up with aiding funding for the increases for coverage.”

Crunching numbers in Kenbridge

For the coming year, the largest cost hikes in the Town’s budget will come in the areas of healthcare (12%), fuel charges (8%), and propane for heat (5%). Additionally, laboratory work for the Kenbridge wastewater and water plants will see a $10,000 budgetary increase from last cycle.
Now we’ve entered June and it’s time for a public hearing and vote on the town budget. Kenbridge is looking at an increased overall general fund budget of $1.462 million, compared to this year’s $1.39 million. The public hearing for this proposed budget is set for Tuesday, June 17, starting at 6:50 p.m.
The new budget will take effect for the cycle beginning July 1, 2025 and runs through June 30, 2026. Matthews encouraged residents with additional questions about the budget to reach out to the Kenbridge Town Office at 434-676-2452.