City Council
Regular MeetingMartinsville, VA · May 9, 2024
Minutes
May 9, 2024 Budget Workshop
A Budget Workshop was held at 5:00 pm on May 9, 2024, in Room 208, Conference Room,
Municipal Building. Vice Mayor Rawls, Council Member Lawson, Council Member Pearson,
Council Member Mitchell, City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, Chief Operating Officer Edena
Reese-Atmore, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Public Information Officer Kendall Davis,
Finance Director Mandy McGhee, Assistant Finance Director Crystal Ferguson, PIO Kendall
Davis and Deputy Police Chief Chad Rhoads were in attendance. Mayor Jones was not in
attendance.
City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides explained the need to redirect the City Meals Tax
Revenue to the General Fund.
Staff discussed the proposed budget. The City School staff was in attendance also to discuss
the school budget.
The regular session started at 7:15pm. Vice Mayor Rawls asked for prayers for Mayor Jones
and his family.
Council Member Lawson led the pledge of allegiance and offered the invocation.
Consider approval of the Resolution to direct the City Meals Tax Revenue to the General
Fund – City Manager Ferrall-Benavides explained the need to move the meals tax revenue.
Council Member Pearson made a motion to approve the resolution; Council Member Lawson
seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor.
May 9, 2024 Budget Workshop
Conduct a public hearing on the City’s FY24-25 City Budget and consider approval of
Budget Ordinance 2024-U-1 on first reading – City Manager Ferrell-Benavides briefly explained
the budget process and summary of agenda funds. Vice Mayor Rawls pointed out the change in
fund balance and capital. This budget includes a 5% increase in electric rates effective July 1.
There is a rate increase for larger water users. There is a new storm water fund also. Council
Member Mitchell made the motion to open the public hearing; Council Member Pearson
seconded the motion. Rawls opened the public hearing. No one approached the podium, so the
public hearing was closed.
May 9, 2024 Budget Workshop
Council Member Lawson made a motion to approve the budget ordinance on first reading;
Council Member Mitchell seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor.
Adjournment – Council Member Lawson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25pm
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council Vice Mayor Aaron Rawls
Agenda
AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Council Chambers – Municipal Building
Room 208
5:00pm Budget Workshop 7:00pm Regular Session
Thursday May 9, 2024
5:00 pm – BUDGET WORKSHOP
1. Consider approval of a Resolution to direct the City Meals Tax Revenue to the
General Fund
2. Discussion of FY2024-25 proposed budget, including Martinsville City Schools
7:00 pm - Regular Session
1. Consent Agenda
A. Consider approval of the Resolution to direct the City Meals Tax Revenue to the
General Fund.
2. Public Hearing
A. Conduct a Public Hearing on the City’s FY24-25 City Budget and consider
approval of Budget Ordinance 2024-U-1 on first reading.
RESOLUTION OF MARTINSVILLE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTING CITY MEALS
TAX REVENUE TO GENERAL FUND
WHEREAS, the City of Martinsville, Virginia (the "City") in accordance with Article VI
of Chapter 21 of the City Code administers a tax on prepared food and beverages purchased from
restaurants and other food establishments in the City, with certain exceptions required by law (the
“City Meals Tax”); and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 1992 the City Council of the City (the “Council”) asked that all
revenues collected from the City Meals Tax be placed in a separate Capital Improvements Fund to be
appropriated by Council for specific projects or purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to allow greater flexibility in the expenditure of revenues
collected from the City Meals Tax.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA THAT:
1. All City Meals Tax revenues received by the City shall be deposited in the City’s
general fund and any City Meals Tax revenues currently held in a Capital
Improvements Fund under prior policy be deposited in the City’s general fund.
2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Adopted by the City Council of the City this ___ day of _________, 2024.
1
ORDINANCE 2024-U-1
The Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2024
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia in regular session assembled May 14,
2024, that the following sums of money be and hereby are appropriated – by specific Fund – for the City’s
fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 from the following Fund sources of estimated revenue:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF BUDGET ESTIMATES
2024-2025
PROJECTED BUDGETED CHANGES
FUND REVENUES EXPENDITURES FUND BALANCE
General $38,174,440 $35,380,086 2,794,354
Meals Tax $0 $0 $0
IDA $250,000 $250,000 $0
Capital Reserve $0 $0 $0
Refuse $2,136,950 $2,136,950 $0
Telecom $2,280,031 $2,280,031 $0
Water $4,316,260 $4,316,260 $0
Sewer $5,507,629 $5,507,629 $0
Electric $24,435,063 $24,435,063 $0
Street Fund $4,442,559 $4,442,559 $0
Stormwater Fund $419,196 $419,196 $0
CDBG $0 $0 $0
Cafeteria* $2,186,601 $2,186,601 $0
School – Federal Programs $2,267,523 $2,267,523 $0
School Operating* $28,050,273 $28,050,273 $0
TOTALS: $114,466,525 $111,672,171 $2,794,354
*Information on cafeteria and school operating funds is provided by school personnel.
Tax Rates:
Real Estate: $0.99 per $100 assessed value (unchanged)
Personal Property: $2.30 per $100 assessed value (unchanged)
Machinery/Tools: $1.85 per $100 assessed value (unchanged)
Electric Rates:
5% average increase across all categories
Water & Sewer Rates
Increase cost per additional thousand gallons to $3.50. Base rates will remain the same.
Stormwater Rate
$3 per month for residential customers; $3.50 - $4.00 per month for non-residential customers
Attest:
____________________________________________
Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council
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