City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. April 16, 2024 Radford, Virginia Special Meeting of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2023-2024 The special meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 5:30 p.m. on April 16, 2024 in the Radford City Council Chambers, located at 10 Robertson Street Radford, VA. The Mayor of the City, Raymond David Horton, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were, Vice- Mayor Seth Gillespie, Ms. Jessie Foster, Mr. Bobby Davis and Ms. Artrip. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, Deputy City Clerk Mr. David Ridpath provided an overview of the proposed budget for F.Y. 2025. Dr. Adam Joyce also shared an overview of the proposed School Boards budget that was approved by the School Board. Council and Superintendent had lengthy discussion regarding the proposed capital improvements, 7% COLA and the amount of School Board reserves. Council requested additional information from the School Board prior to approving the Budget. Ms. Skelton certified that the public hearings have been advertised as required, and no comments have been submitted to the clerk. PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Ordinance #1802– F.Y. 2025 Budget SUMMARY: The Budget for F.Y. 2025 has been delivered to City Council from the City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $79,043,310. The proposed budget provides sufficient revenues to pay for expenditures, maintains positive fund balances, provides resources for maintenance and improvements to infrastructure, supports core customer services and necessary equipment replacement, acknowledges the significant impact of inflation, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows: General Funds $35,411,361 Street Maintenance Fund 2,829,359 Water/Wastewater Fund 2,860,488 Electric Fund 28,854,443 Solid Waste Fund 1,688,841 Transit Fund 2,860,488 Internal Services Fund 1,078,320 In addition to the City Budget, the City Council is also considering the F.Y. 2025 Radford City School Board Budget. The $46,803,799 budget was approved by the School Board on March 26, 2024. The funds are summarized as follows: Operating Fund $38,098,270 School Nutrtion Fund 1,033,057  Grants Fund 2,694,745 Textbook Fund 852,102 Capital Projects Fund 220,000 Health Insurance Fund 2,858,251 *The public hearing was advertised as required* The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:38pm. Marsha Compton, Radford Citizen asked if all the school’s budget came from the city? Mayor Horton responded the City pay’s a portion of the School Boards Budget for about $6.5 million. She said it’s hard to think that they are getting a raise and the city employees do not. She said she worked for the school and loves the school, but there comes a time that it’s not all about the schools. The Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:41pm SUBJECT: Ordinance #1803 – 2024 Tax Rate SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2025 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1803 is an Ordinance to establish the tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery and Tools for the 2024 calendar year. The proposed F.Y. 2025 Budget reflects a tax rate of .69 for Real Property. The rate is an effective tax rate increase of 5 cents over 2023. The tax rates are as follows:  Real Property tax would be at $0.69 per $100 of assessed value  Machinery and Tools tax remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value  Tangible Personal Property remains at $2.44 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Personal Property, vehicles, etc.)  Tangible Personal Property remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Business Personal Property) *The public hearing was advertised as required* The Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:42pm. Mr. Compton asked about the assessments and the process. He shared that they were disturbed when got the assessment on their house, in comparison to his neighbors in High Meadows. He shared his confusion with the Assessor and is not getting his questions answered. He said it doesn’t sit well with him to be forced to pay taxes that he doesn’t agree with, without having a voice. He said he went through all the properties in neighborhood, and the averaged increase was between 12% to 28 %, and his house went up 36%, with another neighbor increased by 39%. He feels he doesn’t have any voice or options, on how it was calculated. Mrs. Compton added that when they did the appeal, a list of all the this was provided and none of those we address and were denied. Now they have to wait until fall to have hearing. The Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:49pm David R stated that he will get with the Commissioner of Revenue to discuss. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Ordinance 1802: F.Y. 2025 Budget SUMMARY: The Budget for F.Y. 2025 has been delivered to City Council from the City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $79,043,310. The proposed budget provides sufficient revenues to pay for expenditures, maintains positive fund balances, provides resources for maintenance and improvements to infrastructure, supports core customer services and necessary equipment replacement, acknowledges the significant impact of inflation, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows: General Funds $35,411,361 Street Maintenance Fund 2,829,359 Water/Wastewater Fund 2,860,488 Electric Fund 28,854,443 Solid Waste Fund 1,688,841 Transit Fund 2,860,488 Internal Services Fund 1,078,320 In addition to the City Budget, the City Council is also considering the F.Y. 2025 Radford City School Board Budget. The $46,803,799 budget was approved by the School Board on March 26, 2024. The funds are summarized as follows: Operating Fund $38,098,270 School Nutrtion Fund 1,033,057 Grants Fund 2,694,745 Textbook Fund 852,102 Capital Projects Fund 220,000 Health Insurance Fund 2,858,251 Ms. Artrip asked Mr. Ridpath if they can approve one budget and not the other? Mr. Ridpath responded that they can approve the first reading and can make adjustments at the 2nd reading. Ms. Artrip asked why they trying to build the reserve? Dr. Joyce responded it is for the things they don’t plan for. Ms. Foster sated they had to make cuts and wants to see where the schools are cutting. Mayor Horton shared that Council will have a special meeting next week, to ensure budget is approved per code. ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Ordinance # 1802 on its first reading, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: Ms. Artrip Yes Mr. Davis Yes Ms. Foster Yes Mr. Gillespie Yes Mayor Horton Yes SUBJECT: Ordinance 1803: 2024 Tax Rate SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2025 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1803 is an Ordinance to establish the tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery and Tools for the 2024 calendar year. The proposed F.Y. 2025 Budget reflects a tax rate of .69 for Real Property. The rate is an effective tax rate increase of 5 cents over 2023. The tax rates are as follows:  Real Property tax would be at $0.69 per $100 of assessed value  Machinery and Tools tax remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value  Tangible Personal Property remains at $2.44 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Personal Property, vehicles, etc.)  Tangible Personal Property remains at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value as described in section 15 through 19 of 58.1-3503A of the code of Virginia (Business Personal Property) ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to approve Ordinance # 1802 on its first reading, Ms. Artrip seconded that motion. VOTE: Ms. Artrip Yes Mr. Davis Yes Ms. Foster Yes Mr. Gillespie Yes Mayor Horton Yes Mr. Gillespie made a motion to adjourn the meeting 7:17p.m. seconded by Ms. Artrip VOTE: AYES: Mr. Davis, Ms. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Artrip, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, Deputy City Clerk