By Debbie Adams
Vinton Town Manager Pete Peters presented the FY2026 recommended budget to Town Council
at its meeting on May 6. He emphasized that this is a budget based on conservative spending and
still subject to review. A public hearing on the budget will be held at the council meeting on May
20 with final budget adoption planned for June 3.
He presented a snapshot of current budget preparations with an overview of revenues and trends,
a review of fund balance reserves, and an overview of the current expenditure plan
(departmental, personnel, community organizations, and Capital Improvement Plan
prioritization).
The “big picture” he presented on revenues involved the terms “tariffs” and “economy” with the
town’s financial leadership concerned that while there has been a significant growth in Vinton’s
revenues in recent years due to an influx of new restaurants and the opening of Rosie’s Gaming
Emporium, and total revenues are sustainable, they may decrease in the short term, because of
factors beyond the town’s control.
The town has also received fund balance reserves of “one-time” money, mainly from ARPA
funding during the pandemic and the sale of the utility system to the Western Virginia Water
Authority, that are coming to an end. The town has invested those proceeds during a time of high
interest rates, bringing in more unexpected revenue with Capital Fund balances used to support
one-time projects and facilitate economic development projects.
Peters said that while General Fund revenues are still growing, they are not growing as fast as
previously.
Major revenue sources for the town include real estate and personal property taxes and business
licenses, along with consumer-based taxes such as state sales taxes, meals taxes, and pari-mutuel
taxes. Vinton’s budget is highly dependent upon revenues from those consumer-based taxes
which depend upon the economy “doing well.”
He emphasized again that the town has always budgeted conservatively, not “counting on the
funds until the money is in the bank.”
On the expenditure side, Peters noted that total operational expenditures in town departments are
essentially flat, with personnel expenses making up the largest portion of the budget. The
proposed budget includes a 3% COLA raise for all employees, and targeted increases (1.5% raise
and class adjustment) for the Public Works and Police Departments. There is no increase in
health insurance premiums for employees again this year.
He mentioned two expenditures of note – an increase in the annual paving budget and the
investment in economic development performance agreements which encourage private/public
investments.
He cautioned that the growth of expenditures is expected to begin outpacing revenue growth in
FY27 and FY28 and fringe benefit costs are expected to increase, requiring the town to “keep
our eyes down the field so nothing sneaks up on us.”
The proposed FY2026 Capital Improvement Program includes expenditures for a new
streetsweeper, HVAC upgrades at Public Works, gateway entrance signs to the town, and
funding for the cargo/personnel lift at the Vinton History Museum.
Revenues in the proposed FY26 budget total $13,557,181 in operations ($12.1 million), a final
WVWA payment ($500,000), and use of fund balance ($913,350).
Proposed expenditures of $13,557,181 include $4.2 million for operations, $7 million for
personnel, $797,011 for paving, $913,350 for performance agreements, and $500,000 for CIP
projects (WVWA funded).
Peters introduced Megan Lawless, new executive assistant to the town manager. She comes to
the town with over 12 years of experience within local government and public service. She has
served the last three years as the Police Records supervisor with the Roanoke County Police
Department.
It was a night of proclamations. Several Vinton police officers were present as Councilman Mike
Stovall (a former VPD officer) proclaimed May 11-17 as National Police Week.
The proclamation said, in part, the members of the Vinton Police Dept. play an essential role in
safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Vinton and it has grown to be a modern
and scientific law enforcement agency, providing a vital public service. Citizens are called upon
to join council in recognizing officers for their faithful and loyal devotion to duty and dedicated
service to their community.
National Police Week. Pictured left to right are Sgt. Brandon Alterio, Sgt. Jason Call, Chief
Fabricio Drumond, Councilman Mike Stovall, Officer Daniel Valladarez, and Cpl. Jesse Dibble.
Council member Sabrina McCarty read a proclamation recognizing May as “Business
Appreciation Month in Virginia.” The Town of Vinton recognizes the accomplishments of
Vinton’s entrepreneurs, small and medium-size businesses, and major employers who contribute
greatly to building and sustaining Vinton’s economy.
Councilman Keith Liles then read a proclamation naming May 4-10 as “National Small Business
Week” in Vinton.
Jill Loope, Special Projects assistant to the town manager, highlighted one small business owner
in particular – Nadean Carson of Oya Construction in Vinton. She was recently named Veteran
Small Business Owner of the Year by the Greater Roanoke & NRV Small Business
Development Center.
“Nadean Carson is a licensed professional engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran with over 20
years of experience in construction and environmental work. She is the owner and founder of
Oya Construction, LLC, a female veteran-owned company. She has shown outstanding
leadership in stormwater management and erosion control, ensuring environmental compliance
with the protection of our waterways. Her commitment to community service is exemplified by
her participation in Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Women Build’ event, where she and her team
contributed significantly to constructing homes for families in need.”
Town Council for being named Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year by the Greater
Roanoke & NRV Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Pictured left to right are Tom
Tanner from the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, Town Manager Pete
Peters, Nadean Carson, Jill Loope, and Heather Fay from the SBDC. (photos by Debbie ADams)
After a presentation by Human Resources/Risk Management Director Donna Collins, council
adopted a resolution authorizing renewal of the Town of Vinton employees’ group health
insurance with The Local Choice Program.
Council took action to adopt a resolution authorizing the town manager to execute a Real
Property Lease with Option to Purchase agreement between RSP11, LLC, and the town for
approximately 0.1083 acres, located at 307 South Pollard Street. The owners of the building and
restaurant are interested in buying the property for the purpose of expanding the restaurant with a
physical building addition for cold and dry storage, as well as a semi-enclosed patio for exterior
seating and a second-floor residential unit.
Loope provided an update on other economic development projects in the town.
- Fire property: Purchase of the DR Music property is nearly complete. The site has been
stabilized, and the town is working with the surrounding property owners to rebuild.
Various approaches are being evaluated from a phased-in version to a full-scale build-
out, which could include a combination of retail and residential uses. A grant request for
$734,810 has been submitted to the state for the maximum build-out. There is a degree of
anxiety over cost control which is causing uncertainty with investors to take risks with
new project investments. Escalation in pricing for materials is a great consideration in the - 7 Walnut/McClung Property: A lease agreement has been signed between the town and
property owner. A structural assessment and asbestos survey have been completed. Phase
II ESA is currently underway. The town will be issuing a Request For Proposals soon to
give interested developers an opportunity to secure a sublease to manage build-out and
operations for a multi-tenant space. - Gish Mill: The project has progressed from stabilization to rehabilitation. Interior
construction is underway with an opening planned in the spring of 2026. Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funds for the project are
secure. - Hotel Project: The site plan has been submitted; construction is expected to begin by
early June and will continue over the next year. Staff is working with the general
contractor to assist with securing local sub-contractors for the site work and construction. - 123 West Lee Avenue: Construction is underway at Stone Plaza; the walkway is halfway
complete between Lee and Walnut to Pollard, and ADA compliant, running two weeks
ahead of schedule. - Virginia Energy Grant: Virginia Energy has made available $1.6 million in block grants
to communities for marketing, education, and outreach grants. Vinton has received two
unexpected grants, totaling $200,000, for capacity building, education, and training to
boost staff for energy auditor education, certification, and training. The overall objective
is to secure and train 10 individuals to become certified residential energy auditors, which
will expand the local workforce capable of performing high-quality energy assessments.
The grant requires minimal staff involvement.
