[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6260129,"mediaKeyId","3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220","parentId",3134881,"title","Staunton Council adopts FY2026 budget and five-year CIP, raises real-estate tax to $0.91; debate over a smaller 1¢ alternative fails","audioSeconds",2144,"startMs",5071000,"endMs",7215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220&start=5071&end=7215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220/thumbnail_5071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260129/Staunton-City/Virginia/Staunton-Council-adopts-FY2026-budget-and-five-year-CIP-raises-real-estate-tax-to-091-debate-over-a-smaller-1-alternative-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260129-109dfe06738c294e732ba240ccf00a0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445332&Signature=QJjPVuXZRPQIfJUqgP1Bl7utyTS99vLD-OSAwNIBLsdWmj06jwe~KZ7xB7MiroumJIsTWLM2L1HMekzgelQVvoKdIdqm2tesruZWZ2SRa3N2z1xo8~PSVxp~yetEZJ7M5GxKfG14MIvNc-3939HsT4RKLl2OWscGhSsBEkJCBSps5bZU1QXTvA3VzD6zcoQ61ehl8nAOPjkU1jJharsB9IckH-rZ-gMO-ylG194EyXlOO4MKw29qKfWx8MANGCvJf9EBOCVmcgfmCftiI~aqhi9vTkukVihivRebWeQ2Q~M2AAUnu6czOesY6azvJrLgTvAH73Xp8pGdodT46HsWBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-27T04:40:54.293Z","article","Staunton City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan (FY2026–FY2030) on April 24 after extended discussion about infrastructure needs and the tax burden on residents. The total all‑funds budget approved for FY2026 is $164,535,789; the city operating budget is $112,846,002.85 and the school budget is $51,689,504. The council set the real-estate tax rate at $0.91 per $100 of assessed value.

Finance and budget staff presented the proposed budget summary to council. Key items included a proposed transfer to schools of $18.9 million (a 9.55% increase), annual debt-service transfer of roughly $6.5 million, and a recommended 3% cost-of-living adjustment for municipal employees. Staff also built in a 10% projected increase in health insurance premiums and a small number of new positions tied to an upcoming courthouse opening (two deputies and two custodial positions), restoration of a traffic position and a water-distribution position previously frozen, and phase 1 of a police career development plan.

Council discussion focused on a large unfunded capital backlog, estimated at approximately $134 million, and specific near-term capital needs including design work for the wharf/tunnel infrastructure; staff estimated design costs in the $350,000 range with additional stormwater fund resources available for that work. To begin replenishing capital reserves, the proposed budget would establish a new annual infrastructure reserve equivalent to 2¢ on the real-estate rate ($657,030). Councilors debated whether to adopt the full 2¢ increase (bringing the rate from $0.89 to $0.91) or a smaller 1¢ step.

Councilor Oberholtzer moved an amendment to fix the tax rate at $0.90 per $100 (reducing the additional infrastructure reserve by roughly half). That motion failed on a recorded vote (ayes: 2; nays: 5). Council then adopted the budget ordinance as proposed, setting the real-estate tax rate at $0.91. The final roll call for the adopted budget was 6–1: Ayes — Campbell, Shepherd, Overholtzer, Park, Vice Mayor Arrowood and Mayor Edwards; No — Woods.

The approved five-year capital improvement plan totals $78,729,917 across funds; the FY2026 enterprise capital plan included $10,500,000 largely funded from fund balance. The budget package contained no new changes to fee schedules or signage beyond prior rate adjustments in water, sewer and stormwater adopted earlier.

Why it matters: The adopted budget raises revenues to replenish capital reserves and fund existing operations and school transfers while responding to an extensive backlog of infrastructure needs. The vote reflected a majority preference for a larger, more immediate step to address capital shortfalls; one councilor favored a more incremental approach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 24, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting of Staunton City Council","oneSentenceSummary","After a lengthy debate, Staunton City Council on April 24 adopted a $164.5 million FY2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan and approved a real-estate tax rate of $0.91 per $100 assessed value; an alternate motion to set the rate at $0.90 failed in a separate vote.","taxTitle","Staunton City, Virginia","taxId",60274,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260134,"Council approves seasonal leases for Moxie Field and Gypsy Hill Park — including concessions and fireworks",409,4361000,4770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220&start=4361&end=4770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220/thumbnail_4361000.jpg","/articles/6260134/Staunton-City/Virginia/Council-approves-seasonal-leases-for-Moxie-Field-and-Gypsy-Hill-Park-including-concessions-and-fireworks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260134-ddb8055e081a595bca7ebff0ac57c021/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445332&Signature=XUelOtioBem8bsXlY~6x8VhttkO7xz9GotLKGnzzpQeOVcXnMa81gdhWue7zXVcgd-WmlGhOdDM73YC8rCtZVI41kv9oHid4gKc94flec5mLG8ncrjvRKRNB42Bm8kt00RAl3h4b8m6AF2A67kicsiQAw2BzdaaUs8sRJPiF6jypSpdL~58ygGan7IVDpJMY~3v-lW8f9ot26IuMw0NgR00BXHWkOuGifQQ-DAOrbz2LQGRbi3pqI5VS2Pz9EfdMh-kwiaZ5fZwYnJCaiCh-4rzyow-uwWZT8gST5hEyMWz3Ty3W1PrUAEijWqZZdq0u1ZGhbIb2AEBlFHwjtgSipg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staunton City Council approved two seasonal lease agreements on April 24: a lease with Staunton Baseball Inc. for limited use of Moxie Field between May 20 and August 10, 2025, and a lease with Happy Birthday America Inc. for use of Gypsy Hill Park for the annual Independence Day events June 29–July 4, 2025.

City Attorney John Blair summarized the Moxie Field lease, which grants Staunton Baseball limited field use and concession rights for the stated season; the organization will pay $1 to the city under the executed lease. The lease also permits sale of concessions and alcohol at games and notes a handful of planned pregame musical entertainments. Council approved the lease unanimously by roll call.

Blair described the Happy Birthday America lease as the annual agreement that allows the nonprofit to use Gypsy Hill Park for events over the Fourth of July period. Andrew Dietz, president of Happy Birthday America, briefed council on a multi-day program including a beauty pageant, vesper service, a Firecracker 5K, a parade and a full-day concert lineup; the group has purchased fireworks and will coordinate safety with city staff. Dietz noted the event is volunteer-run and thanked city departments and sponsors for support. Council approved that lease unanimously as well.

Why it matters: The leases authorize community organizations to operate seasonal events and concessions on city-owned recreational properties; approval includes the city manager’s authority to finalize agreements and confirms coordination with city departments for safety and permitting.","Staunton City Council unanimously authorized a May–August lease to Staunton Baseball Inc. for Moxie Field and granted a lease to Happy Birthday America Inc. for Gypsy Hill Park for the June 29–July 4 event; both leases allow concessions and other specified activities and include city-manager authorization to execute final agreements.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260140,"Council amends professional zoning to allow florist shops on review and grants special-use permit for Honeybees Florist at 2010 N. Augusta St.",597,3157000,3754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220&start=3157&end=3754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220/thumbnail_3157000.jpg","/articles/6260140/Staunton-City/Virginia/Council-amends-professional-zoning-to-allow-florist-shops-on-review-and-grants-special-use-permit-for-Honeybees-Florist-at-2010-N-Augusta-St","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260140-3d94935063a1825d4ff1d2bd08e540dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445332&Signature=HPe~vhpg6BLJW-b28AapiboEV03pkfYxRyoE-1sesGCrSifd3cjejNCNlDchTkil7ydsAECVa5tw-YuZR6YxZrmE9152lF~23qoY8Nn~Kn0YWs2BRi6sS3lDM78aXkMR1nJ3phabwZI15exF5DISxtgxoMlh0B5W919a0E4xfcVwF4cNQD5Uksacd6Y9RTi9sJqaC1vhCqrDMW2wSd3-7Qg1dvdVu3FBL00WSVSnU5VrLmGRdT-XDcuK~hms7KCAJmj~1bkoYLAS-2mHmSHGCOsPU9OyF3pYHUWQeuoZ0jNNx3MQyRNuXvd0BqrpBo0bGUTm0y4fOJzRIGPn2lBESg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staunton City Council voted unanimously on April 24 to amend the city’s professional (P-1) zoning rules to allow florist shops as a use permitted on review, and then approved a special-use permit authorizing Melissa Swan to operate Honeybees Florist at 2010 North Augusta Street.

Planning Manager Tim Hartless explained the code change was limited to allowing “florist shops” as a use permitted on review rather than making the use permitted by right. Hartless said some P-1 districts are appropriate for retail uses while others — largely residential P-1 areas — are not, and the special-use permit (SUP) process lets the city consider each application on its merits and location. Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 20 and unanimously recommended the amendment.

The ordinance amending Staunton City Code Title 18 (P-1 professional district) was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote. Council then considered a special-use permit request from Melissa Swan to operate Honeybees Florist at 2010 North Augusta Street, a P-1-zoned property adjacent to other professional offices, shopping and residential areas and located in the North Augusta entrance corridor overlay district. Hartless noted exterior work and new signage would require corridor review.

Swan told council she has operated Honeybees for 20 years, described plans to renovate the former optometry clinic to house the florist on the upper floor and a rented 1-bedroom apartment below, and said two massage therapists were interested in leasing adjacent upstairs space. She said contractors are lined up and she hoped to open before the wedding season; she has ordered specialty equipment including a cooler but had limited renovations pending approvals.

Planning Commission recommended approval of the SUP with a condition that any building alteration comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code as determined by the Staunton Building Official and zoning provisions as determined by the zoning administrator. Council approved the SUP by unanimous vote. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearings; supporters and customers addressed the council in favor.

Why it matters: The zoning amendment establishes a predictable path for florist and similar low‑footprint retail uses in appropriate professional corridors, and the SUP allows Honeybees Florist to reuse an existing building subject to building and corridor review.","Staunton City Council amended Title 18 professional (P-1) zoning to permit florist shops by special use permit and unanimously approved a special-use permit enabling Honeybees Florist (Melissa Swan) to relocate to 2010 North Augusta Street, subject to building and zoning code compliance.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260143,"Valley Career & Technical Center foundation seeks industry partnerships, support for student competitions and program growth",673,1071000,1744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220&start=1071&end=1744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220/thumbnail_1071000.jpg","/articles/6260143/Staunton-City/Virginia/Valley-Career-Technical-Center-foundation-seeks-industry-partnerships-support-for-student-competitions-and-program-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260143-3e535eb1d79da1631514984c1b09246a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445332&Signature=Z0rGM7cYp~tofJep1q-nnp-UYCaPrVlvBdtNutKiJEn6QkitT8TYy3XdK60s9ckxGMi6kJ8pE9-IBTQGbGr7cD0ipa1ftxVXxf9t2GUWe09vSExedbUs7DtUTr8FkESkUrl9Knh2by3zCymZoq3MHrkttM6CPz78XSUUiTWcMshqx3vAzUu-2nB5ojABOyFWRNwnTi6sIQS4NdhAjcVqERB39dGb~PoaOq93h7NkGzMgvm8RFTmVgKUvqHgnQIXV24IjFnR~vt6oaUMYUfyNu0SlDLgHG5cvuCXeDkVZSKZ~bMFmRChXGCcGDSwPWg6l3z8AL94kSLUDdXQmOiRu~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Glover, a Staunton building official and member of the Valley Career and Technical Center (Valley CTC) Foundation board, briefed Staunton City Council on April 24 about the newly formed foundation and how residents and businesses can support the center's programs.

Glover outlined Valley CTC’s 25-plus programs, including traditional trades and newer offerings such as veterinary science, aviation technology, clinical medical assistant training and phlebotomy. He said the center’s recent “blitz build” of houses paired students with local contractors for practical experience.

The foundation, Glover said, has partnered with a community foundation to accept and manage donations. Its priorities are: (1) promote industry partnerships to align training with employer demand; (2) fund student travel and entry fees for local, state and national skills competitions; and (3) provide a mechanism to buy or replace equipment more quickly than annual budget cycles allow.

Dr. Weitzel, present with the board members, told council that enrollment at Valley CTC increased about 27.28% over the past four years and that many hands-on classes are capped for safety; the school is “probably close to capacity.” She said adult programming is tuition-based while high-school programs remain free.

Councilors asked about enrollment trends and program demand; Dr. Weitzel said health and medical programs have grown fastest after conversations with Augusta Health, including new clinical medical assistant and phlebotomy offerings. She also said trades and aviation programs continue to grow as older workers retire and regional demand rises.

Glover thanked city support and said the foundation will consider scholarships or funds to help adult students who cannot afford tuition, once the foundation's fund balance grows.

Why it matters: The foundation aims to accelerate equipment purchases, expand industry connections and support student competition participation — actions that could shorten the time between training and employment and address local workforce gaps.","John Glover and Valley CTC board members described the new foundation's goals: raise funds for equipment, support student competition travel, develop industry partnerships and promote programs that match employer demand; enrollment has risen and some programs are near capacity.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260148,"Central Shenandoah Health District director reports staffing losses, stable core services and mobile clinic launch",638,63000,701000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220&start=63&end=701","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134881-778fe743928f20a3028219b5c2502220/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6260148/Staunton-City/Virginia/Central-Shenandoah-Health-District-director-reports-staffing-losses-stable-core-services-and-mobile-clinic-launch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260148-5dc6d61cf0b6c9b76e54308bf5f14264/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445332&Signature=d6lebBhSnNdl-sSNBrrd-BwLKHvP155ZZ1UDuatOoleeO~6~jeZv66cjMKNh5jp5Wwj2yr6j4a2sbXE5-KH2PTgZQ8~3BQeZwTBVeCcD1EQZWoA-dNaR5UEfOnidTn0T60Bgeiv-9DvGdpcpcBRh~X3UPbOenI9b8zqBNS~8mr9zLc42Kxaen8B4bto-konLEqO65coyEg5m1IrHGYuTnbAkfem7HrMbquDU7nrpHgBwcwAJI1fanQBXarhki~eMVByI8moZkLcA58EQMQj5qWTkEXsFGbkUNu9HjcjqPx9zayaYXLPVgAef8hJpecBrHHetwoanyKbYR1fKoyItyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Lisonbee Barracco, director of the Central Shenandoah Health District, presented the district's 2024 annual report to Staunton City Council on April 24, outlining sustained clinical and environmental health services in 2024 and recent staffing and funding changes in 2025.

The report, Barracco said, covers a “post-pandemic” 2024 in which the district received more than $3 million in mostly federal grants. In March 2025 the district experienced an “abrupt discontinuation” of some COVID-related grants that resulted in the loss of 12 contract staff — about half focused on population health/community health worker work and the other half on epidemiology for respiratory viruses and related outreach in long-term care settings. Barracco said the district has not yet seen essential functions disrupted and is adjusting workplans with partners while remaining transparent if essential services are threatened.

The 2024 packet shows steady environmental health and WIC services in Staunton. Barracco reported 46 food-service permits and 66 inspections in the city and 2,128 clinic visits for the year. She said the Virginia Department of Health continues school-based immunization work to help families access required vaccines.

Barracco noted a national and local uptick in vaccine-preventable illnesses, specifically varicella (chickenpox) and pertussis (whooping cough). She cited Virginia’s measles vaccination rate around 94% and warned the community’s threshold for herd protection is generally near 95%. “When a measles outbreak comes to Central Shenandoah,” she said, “we want to be prepared,” and she described ongoing partner preparedness work.

Population health services saw 650 referrals and 450 clients assisted in 2024; community health workers connected residents to housing, food, utility and medication assistance and participated in 36 outreach events that year. Barracco said the district will change how it conducts outreach if grant funding reductions continue.

Barracco described harm-reduction programming as “strong,” cited statewide declines in overdose deaths, and said the district partners with community organizations on opioid-abatement efforts. She also announced a mobile clinic now in service; the clinic will be used by the health district and partners to bring care directly to neighborhoods and events.

Barracco also told council she is moving into a new role as a medical officer within the Virginia Department of Health as of the next day; she said she intends to remain engaged with the district and will serve as acting health director until a replacement is identified.

Councilors asked follow-up questions about local TB screening (services are “back to normal”), the harm-reduction network and Narcan trainings, and for quantification of the rise in vaccine-preventable disease; Barracco said she would provide specific case counts following the meeting.

Why it matters: The funding changes and lost contract positions create near-term program risks in community outreach and epidemiologic surveillance. The health district says core clinical and environmental services are intact for now, but continued grant losses could force conversations with local governments about sustaining essential services.","Dr. Lisonbee Barracco told Staunton City Council that the Central Shenandoah Health District closed out a stable 2024 but lost COVID-era grant funding in 2025 that eliminated 12 contract staff; core clinic and environmental health services remain operational and a new mobile clinic is active.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staunton Council adopts FY2026 budget and five-year CIP, raises real-estate tax to $0.91; debate over a smaller 1¢ alternative fails

Council approves seasonal leases for Moxie Field and Gypsy Hill Park — including concessions and fireworks

Council amends professional zoning to allow florist shops on review and grants special-use permit for Honeybees Florist at 2010 N. Augusta St.

Valley Career & Technical Center foundation seeks industry partnerships, support for student competitions and program growth

Central Shenandoah Health District director reports staffing losses, stable core services and mobile clinic launch