City Council

The “New River” City 10 Robertson St. April 14, 2025 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 16 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2024-2025 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. on April 14, 2025 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, Ms. Kellie Artrip, and Mr. Guy Wohlford. Others present were as follows: Mr. Craig Meadows, Interim City Manager Ms. Jenni Goodman, City Clerk Ms. Melissa Skelton, Community Development Director MINUTES APPROVAL: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: Reverend Wyms commented on the speed on Lee Street and how fast people come over the hill. Rev. Wyms also commented on the high price of electric bills and how they have gone up over the years, Rev. Wyms also inquired about the sanctuary worship fee on the church bill. PROCLAMATION: SUBJECT: National Laboratory Professionals Week SUMMARY: The week of April 20-26, 2025, is state and nationally recognized as “National Laboratory Professionals Week”. The week is recognized to celebrate the medical professionals who play a vital role in healthcare and patient advocacy, and who also support the critical high standards of healthcare. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve the proclamation as presented, Mrs. Artrip seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None NEW BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Commissions SUMMARY An appointment for an alternate to the New River Valley Regional Rail Authority was needed. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint Melissa Skelton to the NRV Rail Authority as the alternate, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Ordinance 1813-2025 Tax Rate SUMMARY: The F.Y. 2026 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees and utility rates. Ordinance #1813 is an Ordinance to establish the tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property, Machinery and Tools, Meals, Cigarette Tax, and Hotel Occupancy Tax for the 2025 calendar year. The proposed F.Y. 2026 Budget reflects a tax rate of 0.79 per $100 assessed value for Real Property. The rate is an effective tax rate increase of 10 cents over 2024. Council advertised the following rates: 1. Real Property tax levy at $0.82 per $100.00 of assessed value (the current real property tax rate is $0.69 per $100.00 of assessed value). 2. Machinery and tools tax levy remains at $1.76 per $100.00 of assessed value. 3. Tangible personal property as listed and specified in Subsections 3 through 13 of Section 58.1-3503A, Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, is proposed to increase to $2.55 per $100.00 of assessed value (the current corresponding personal property tax rate is $2.44 per $100.00 of assessed value). 4. Tangible personal property as listed and specified in Subsections 15 through 19 of Section 58.1-3503A, Code of Virginia 1950 As Amended, remains at $1.76 per $100.00 of assessed value (the current corresponding personal property tax rate is $1.76 per $100.00 of assessed value).. 5. Meals tax levy is proposed to increase to 6.5%. 6. Cigarette tax levy is proposed to increase to $0.41 per pack. 7. Hotel occupancy tax is proposed to increase to 8.5%. ACTION: Mrs. Artrip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1813 on the first reading, Mrs. Foster seconded the motion. The motion allowed for the .82 cent real estate rate with Council paying half of the cost in the increase of insurance with the rest going back into reserves earmarked for paying off the deficit. Mrs. Foster stated that she wished that they could do more, and that the council has heard the concerns of staff and the community, and they appreciate staff for all they do and doing their part. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Ordinance 1814-Fees and Rates SUMMARY The F.Y. 2026 Budget is supported by revenues generated from taxes, fees, and utility rates. The following rate increases are needed to support the cost of operations: 1. Wastewater rates are proposed to increase from $32.48 to $36.48 for 4,000 gallons. 2. Water rates are proposed to increase from $20.32 to $24.32 per 4,000 gallons. 3. Solid Waste Fee is proposed to increase from $22.00 to $25.00. 4. Land Use Fees are proposed to increase as listed below: Site Plan/Engineering Review $200 to $300 (Increase of $50 combined with Engineering review of $50-total increase of $100) Subdivision $50/plat  Zoning Confirmation Letter $25 Comprehensive Plan Amendment $250 There are also several fees that are adopted annually to support the cost of services; these have been previously adopted in the Fee Resolution, but those are now incorporated in the Fee and Rate Ordinance. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve Ordinance 1814 on the first reading, Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None SUBJECT: Ordinance 1815: F.Y. 2026 Budget SUMMARY : The Budget for F.Y. 2026 has been delivered to City Council from the Interim City Manager, as required by the City Charter. Revenues are balanced with expenditures in the amount of $77,262,257. 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, as well as identifies funds for payments to service the City debt. The funds are summarized as follows: CITY OF RADFORD Total for City GENERAL FUND $33,122,947 STREETS MAINTENANCE FUND $3,058,290 TRANSIT $3,885,515 WATER/WASTEWATER FUND $6,594,000 ELECTRIC FUND $28,867,505 SOLID WASTE FUND $1,734,000 *INTERNAL SERVICES $1,078,320 *Not included in total above as this fund is allocated through all other funds. Radford City School Board Budget in the amount of $50,298,738. The Summary is as Follows: RADFORD CITY SCHOOL BOARD Total for Schools OPERATING FUND $41,652,203 SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND $1,049,861 GRANTS FUND $2,385,304 TEXTBOOKS FUND $852,102 CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $220,000 HEALTH INSURANCE FUND $3,064,671 REGION 7 VIRTUAL ACADEMY FUND $190,166 SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FUND $884,431 ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to approve Ordinance 1815 on the first reading, Mayor Horton seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None Mr. Gillespie made several comments including initiating a hiring freeze for an entire year, as well as a 10 percent cut to council pay to be included with the adoption of the budget. SUBJECT: Appropriation Ordinance 1802.27 SUMMARY In 2023, the Radford City Police Department and New River Valley Community Services partnered together in the development of a program to better serve members of the community suffering from mental health illnesses. This program utilizes a law enforcement and clinician team to respond to various calls for services related to mental health. Radford City PD has been awarded grant funds under the CIT/ Marcus Alert grant through DCJS in the amount of $33,441. ACTION: Mr. Wohlford made a motion to approve Appropriation Ordinance 1802.27 on the first reading, Mr. Gillespie seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None ACTION: Mr. Gillespie made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Appropriation Ordinance 1802.27, Mr. Wohlford seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Meadows thanked Council and staff for another busy evening and stated he thinks we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Mr. Meadows stated that work in continuing to be done in the parks and that FEMA is coming this week to assess the damages. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mr. Wohlford commented on the discussion surrounding the transit system stopping running the route to Kroger. Mr. Gillespie stated that it has been a marathon of a budget season and thanked Craig and staff, as well as Council and the community at large for all their hard work. Ms. Foster updated on all her committees and thanked Elizabeth for meeting with her. Ms. Foster spoke about her tour of the New Resource Authority and ride a long with the Police Department and the upcoming Chamber Golf Tournament. Ms. Foster stated that Council was elected by the community and all five members are a solid check and balance for one another. She spoke to the fact it is rare to have a 5-0 vote and on how hard Council has worked to get here. Ms. Foster thanked Craig for his guidance and spoke to the fact these are all tough decisions, but as Council they are trying to make the best decisions with the taxpayer’s money. Ms. Foster stated that they appreciate all, from the schools to the city employees and citizens and that Council is doing their best. Ms. Artrip commented on some updates out of the University Commission including a storefront project and sponsorship opportunities and how the University is wanting to invest back into the community. Ms. Artrip stated that no one is the enemy here and that as a community we need to come together. Ms. Artrip cleared up a citizen comment about her children and stated she does not have to justify where she sends her kids to school or why and that she gives so much of her time and money back to McHarg because she loves and supports Radford City Public Schools. Ms. Artrip stated that she loves her community and the school system and that as a community we need to learn to work together and love and invest in Radford. Mayor Horton thanked the community for their thoughts and stated as Council they have heard and felt every comment and feeling many are feeling. The council is doing their best and the community has come together to host an Egg Hunt and that July 4th will have fireworks. Mayor Horton commented on his love for schools and hopes the funding can get worked out for this year and in years moving forward because we all need to work together so we are not left with nothing. Mayor Horton mentioned the 5K in the park surrounding crime victim rights week and thanked all for being a part of the budget process and how far Council has come in this process, nut is not done yet. Horton stated we need to focus on the good things and that there will be bumps along the way, but there are many who believe in this community and all it has to offer. Mrs. Artrip made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 seconded by Mayor Horton. VOTE: AYES: Mrs. Artrip, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Wohlford, Mayor Horton NAYES: NONE-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Goodman, City Clerk