By Debbie Adams
Highlights of the Vinton Town Council meeting on May 20 included a presentation of the FY26
budget by Deputy Town Manager Cody Sexton in a public hearing, the promotion of two police
officers, and recognition of Public Works employees. Council was previously briefed in detail on
the budget at the May 6 meeting by Town Manager Pete Peters.
According to Sexton, this year’s budget represents a balanced budget with an optimistic outlook.
There are no tax increases. The proposed FY26 budget for the General Fund totals $13,557,181,
which represents a decrease of .40% from the previous fiscal year. The proposed budget for all
funds totals $14,061,181, an overall decrease of 5.48%. This overall decrease for all funds is
primarily due to the elimination of the Stormwater Fund as a stand-alone fund. Its operations and
projects are now in the General Fund.
Sexton noted that while total revenues are currently sustainable, they are projected to level off
with a slight decrease in the short term. Major revenue streams have experienced significant
growth in recent years, but natural growth is beginning to slow. The town needs to remain
attuned to the possibilities of increasing inflation and the potential effect of tariffs, he said.
The fund balance reserves of one-time money have earned interest in recent years in a high-rate
environment. It is necessary to spend them down strategically. Total operational expenditures in
departments are essentially flat, due to “prudent spending” by the departments.
Personnel expenses continue to make up the largest portion of the budget (over half). This year’s
budget calls for a 3% COLA raise for all employees, an amount which is aligned with other
localities in the region. The budget also includes targeted increases for employees in Public
Works and Police Depts. in excess of other localities—to attract more candidates.
There is no increase in employees’ health insurance premiums this year.
Sexton noted major expenditures in the upcoming budget—the costs of annual paving
($797,011) and payment of Economic Development Performance Agreements of some $913,000.
He expects the growth of expenditures to begin outpacing natural revenue growth and fringe
benefit costs to increase in the coming years, although new revenue streams are developing with
the construction of a new hotel, new businesses, and more restaurants opening in the town.
However, this is also the final year of payments from the Western Virginia Water Authority’s
purchase of the town’s utility systems.
The Capital Improvement Program for FY26 ($500,000) includes purchases of a new
streetsweeper and downtown furniture, HVAC upgrades for Public Works, Gateway entrance
signs to the town, and a contribution to the Vinton History Museum to make its proposed
cargo/personnel lift to the second floor a reality.
There were no comments from citizens during the public hearing. Council will vote on the FY26
budget at its meeting on June 3.
Vinton Police Chief Fabricio Drumond and Deputy Chief Tim Lawless presided over the
promotion of two Vinton officers. Jason Call was promoted to sergeant and Andrew Hagy
advanced to corporal.
Sgt. Call joined the department in October 2023; Cpl. Hagy in June 2023. Both have received
many accolades since joining the VPD. Their families were present for the promotion ceremony.
Mayor Brad Grose thanked the families for supporting the officers in a difficult job.
are Deputy Chief Tim Lawless, Chief Fabricio Drumond, and Sgt. Call with his wife Ashley and
their daughters. (photos by Debbie Adams)
pictured with his wife Chelsea.
Public Works Director Bo Herndon introduced employees who placed in the annual Southwest
Virginia Public Works Academy Roadeo at the Berglund Center on April 2:
- Garrett Chappell placed first in the Knuckleboom Competition
- Keith Childress, second in the Snow Plow Competition
- Andrew Critcher, first in the Zero Turn Competition
- Jason Davison, first in the Bucket Truck Competition and second in Knuckleboom
- Steven Newman, third in Zero Turn Competition
Southwest Virginia Public Works Academy Roadeo. Pictured from left are Asst. Public Works
Director Jill Acker, Jason Davison, Andrew Critcher, Garrett Chappell, and Public Works
Director Bo Herndon.
Vice Mayor Laurie Mullins read a proclamation declaring the month of May as GBS/CIDP
Awareness Month. Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating
Polyneuropathy are rare, paralyzing, and potentially catastrophic disorders of the peripheral
nerves. The cause is unknown, and the length of the illness is unpredictable. Rick Forney, the
liaison for the local area chapter, linking patients, physicians, nurses, and families, developed the
syndrome some 16 years ago and was present for the recognition.
Council member Sabrina McCarty read a proclamation declaring May 18-24 as National Public
Works Week in Vinton.
Council noted that, “Our community of 8,000 citizens depends on the men and women of the
Public Works profession who work tirelessly, every day and often at night and on weekends,
under all weather conditions, with quiet dedication to make our communities dynamic places to
live and work.”
Public Works employees promote the quality of life in Vinton and also provide critical responses
capabilities, experience, and support in times of emergency. If there were regional awards for ice
and snow removal, clean streets, and clean-up after events, Vinton Public Works would win
every time.
In his report on the latest meeting of the Public Works Committee, Herndon said that the
stormwater project at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church is now complete; another
stormwater repair is nearly complete at the Lancerlot. “Boring studies” will be completed on
Third Street to determine how to move forward in repairing the roadway which is experiencing
significant issues. The paving contract is complete in the Bali Hai area and on Cleveland
Avenue. Next up will be the Virginia and Hardy Road areas. Herndon also said that Public
Works has obtained a new spray-painting machine for roadways and will be adding stop bars at
intersections through Vinton where needed.
In his report, Finance Director Andrew Keen shared the good news that the town is still
collecting nearly $35,000 each month in interest from bank deposits. Revenues are exceeding
expectations. Vinton has over 600 active business licenses and the pari-mutuel revenues are also
exceeding what was predicted. Two options are being explored for the renovations to the Vinton
War Memorial.
