June 24, 2025: Lynchburg City Council to discuss rules and procedures, hold first reading of FY2026 budget
This is the only meeting of local government in the Fifth District today
I have memories of the local government getting more attention when I was younger. Now that I’m in my early fifties, I live in a time where few people pay attention and even have fewer have command of the details. They have opinions anyway.
I’m still a believer in a civilization where people have access to information about what their local leaders are deciding, and I’ve created a company to help me try to get the word out. I do not work for any government and I am paid by my readers and a few sponsors. This newsletter is an experiment.
This newsletter is also practice in the purest sense of the word. How can I know if I want to really do this work without putting out a product?
In any case, this one is written quick because I got a late start today. I blame the heat and the dread that comes with it.
Today three segments about the Lynchburg City Council.
UPDATE: After publication, I learned that last night’s public hearing was not officially held. WSLS reports that the meeting was adjourned soon after it began before anyone got a chance to speak at the public hearing. Reporter Jason Freund talked to Councilmember Chris Faraldi who explained he made the motion to adjourn when he learned there were not enough votes to proceed with a vote to eliminate the car tax. Learn more here or watch below:
Finance Committee to get an update on FY2025 contingency fund
The City Council’s day begins with a Finance Committee meeting at 3 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Training Room in City Hall at 900 Church Street. (Finance Committee meeting info)
There are three items under general business.
The first is a resolution appropriating a $15,000 grant from the 2025 American Association of Retired Persons that will help pay for a wayfinding system at the Dunbar Community Schoolyard. (learn more)
The second is a resolution appropriating a $12,269 grant from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to purchase personal protective equipment. (learn more)
The third is a resolution to approve a grant application for $58,571 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for various items for the fire department. (learn more)
The Finance Committee will also get an update on the use of the General Fund Reserve for Contingencies.
“The General Fund Reserve for Contingencies is a reserve in the General Fund Operating Budget designed to provide a source of funding for items not included in the current budget,” reads the staff report. “Requests for use of this reserve is recommended by the Finance Committee with final approval by City Council.”
So far this year, $116,160 was used in February to pay for the demolition of blighted properties.
The committee will also get an update on revenue collections.
Council to discuss rules of procedure
Council will then meet at 4 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room for a discussion of rules and procedures. Some ideas being proposed: (work session meeting info)
Councilors who seek to put an item on the agenda would have to notify the clerk seven days in advance of the meeting
City residents would be allowed to speak first at public hearings
Councilors will not be allowed to leave the dais to speak to members in the audience unless they have the consent of the rest of the body
There is suggested language related to annulling prior votes or forbidding certain items from being discussed.
Then there will be a closed session to discuss appointments to Board and Commissions.
Council scheduled to hold first reading of budget
As I write this, I don’t know what happened at the public hearing last night where Council took comment on the proposed real estate tax rate. The proposal was to increase the real estate tax rate from $0.89 per $100 of assessed value to $1.025, and to lower the personal property tax rate from $3.80 to $1.30 effective January 1, 2026. (details)
But, this is the meeting where the budget is supposed to be adopted and you can’t do that until you know the tax rates.
But the meeting at 7 p.m. begins with an invocation, recognitions, the consent agenda, and public comment. Three people have signed up in advance to do so.
Then general business items:
Council will adopt a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a new contract with the Campbell County Utilities and Service Authority while reserving the right for further negotiations. (learn more)
Council will take action on the Dunbar wayfinding grant discussed at the Finance Committee. (learn more)
Council will take action on the PPE grant discussed at the Finance Committee. (learn more)
Council will hold the first reading of the budget for FY2026 as well as the utility rates and other rates. (learn more)
Council will appoint School Board members for District I, II, and III.
Then there will be a closed session.