By Debbie Adams
The Vinton Town Council meeting on May 19 was lengthy, with a packed agenda including
many different topics of discussion, briefings, three public hearings and several proclamations by
Mayor Brad Grose, Vice Mayor Laurie Mullins, and members Sabrina McCarty and Mike
Stovall.
The acquisition of several properties in downtown Vinton was announced. The area was
impacted by the devastating fire that occurred in the early morning hours of July 2, 2022. The
fire destroyed the former DR Music building at 101 East Lee Avenue after the building’s roof
collapsed.
The incident also impacted four adjacent apartments and the building that once housed Edward
Jones Investments (103 East Lee Avenue). The destruction left a visible scar within one of the
most important blocks in the heart of downtown Vinton.
In 2025, the town acquired the property located at 101 East Lee Avenue (DR Music) because
property owners Donald and Ronda Wray recognized the importance of restoring and revitalizing
this key area and shared a vision with the Town of Vinton to enhance the downtown district,
create future revenue opportunities for the town, and support new employment opportunities for
citizens.
Recently, S.A.S.S. Properties, LLC, which owns the other properties that were damaged by the
fire located at 103 East Lee Avenue (formerly Edward Jones), 107 East Lee Avenue (Rustic
Creations), and 0 South Pollard Street (Anita’s Alterations) have agreed to sell the land parcels to
the Town of Vinton.
The town does not intend to own the properties in perpetuity, although the acquisition will
provide the town with an opportunity to seek partners to redevelop the site in a manner that
supports the continued revitalization of downtown Vinton. Potential future uses for the area may
include greenspace, new commercial storefronts, and upstairs residential units designed to
benefit the Downtown Central Business District and the community. The Town of Vinton
remains committed to investing in projects that strengthen downtown, encourage economic
growth, and create vibrant spaces for residents, businesses, and visitors to enjoy for years to
come.
After a public hearing, the current FY 2025-2026 town budget was amended to appropriate
funding for the purchase in the amount of $260,000.
Town Manager Pete Peters presented his Recommended Budget for FY27. Council had been
briefed on the proposed budget in several previous meetings. The FY27 budget for all funds
totals $17.2 million, an overall increase of 22.35%.
After several years of significant growth, Peters expects a flattening budget this year. Major
revenue sources include real estate taxes ($525,000), personal property and VLF taxes
($717,942), business licenses ($944,151), state sales taxes ($1.65 million), meals taxes ($2.1
million), and pari-mutuel taxes ($3.5 million). There are several new revenue streams on the
horizon from the new Vinton Hotel, increased pari-mutuel funds, Vinton Business Center
residential taxes, and Gish Mill.
As for expenditures, personnel expenses are the largest part of the budget with a 3% COLA raise
included for all 74 employees and the town absorbing increases in health insurance premiums.
The town will also continue to pay end-of-year bonuses. Other major expenditures include
annual paving, equipment replacement, and future CIP project planning.
The budget also includes funding for organizations such as the Vinton Dogwood Festival, Boys
and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, the Vinton History Museum, tVinton Area Chamber of
Commerce, Vinton Volunteer First Aid Crew, RVTV, the Greenway Program, the Roanoke
Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, and others.
Proposed CIP funding for FY27 includes replacement of the Knuckleboom truck, a new pick-up
with dump bed and spreader, a compactor for downtown businesses, HVAC and equipment
projects, Community Center and Farmers’ Market design, Community Center construction,
police training, and Gearhart Park design and construction.
Peters cautioned council that there are threats to future budgets with a potential recession, a
flattening of personal property values, unfunded legislative mandates, and depletion of one-time
reserves.
It is anticipated that the FY27 budget will be adopted at the council meeting on June 2. A copy is
available on the town’s website.
Director of Cultural Placemaking and Events Mandy Adkins presented proposed rate changes for
the Vinton War Memorial. With major renovations underway at the facility, this seemed to be
the appropriate time for competitive rate changes. Rates were last changed in 2018.
Three event packages will be available when the venue reopens later this year. “The Signature
Experience” provides two-day exclusive building access with arranged tables and chairs for
$6,500 on weekends and $5,500 on weekdays. “The Grand Affair” adds in-house linens,
dishware, basic centerpieces, and staff set-up of décor for $7,250 on weekends and $6,250 on
weekdays. Single weekday events such as small celebrations or corporate gatherings will cost
$4,000.
Hourly rates will be available for a minimum of four hours, depending on which room/rooms are
requested. An eight-hour block of time in the Dogwood Ballroom will cost $1,500 on weekdays
and $,1800 on weekends.
Town Council issued several proclamations during the meeting. The first named May 2026 as
ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease,
is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,
leading to loss of muscle control, and eventually the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe.
There is no known cure, as of yet. Vinton History Museum Executive Director Judy Cunningham
accepted the proclamation; her husband, Jim, was recently diagnosed with ALS.
from Councilman Mike Stovall.
A second proclamation declared May as GBB/CIDP Awareness Month. Guillain-Barre
Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy are rare, paralyzing, and
potentially catastrophic disorders of the peripheral nerves. Rick Forney, liaison for the Guillain-
Barre Foundation, accepted the proclamation.
May 17-23 was named as National Public Works Week in Vinton. Mayor Brad Grose noted that
Public Works employees touch the lives of thousands of people every day. In Vinton, a council
meeting never occurs without Public Works being commended for their outstanding
contributions to the community through street maintenance, sidewalk repair, solid waste
management, recycling, traffic signal and sign maintenance, snow and ice removal, and
stormwater collection. Residents’ health, safety, and quality of life depend upon Public Works.
Several Public Works employees were recognized for their expertise in operating equipment in
local and regional Public Works Roadeos this spring. Jason Davison placed first in Knuckleboom
Competition and second in Bucket Truck; Chris Lawhorn placed first in Zero Turn Mower; and
Andrew Critcher placed third in Bucket Truck in competition at the Southwest Virginia Public
Works (SWVA-PW) Academy Roadeo at the Berglund Center on April 8.
They advanced to the APWA Mid-Atlantic Roadeo in Ocean City, Md., on May 13, where
Critcher placed third in Mini-Excavator Competition and Davison placed first in Bucket Truck
Competition.
Works Roadeo events. Assistant Public Works Director Jill Acker accepted a proclamation
declaring this Public Works Week.
The final recognition of the evening went to the Treasurer/Finance Department for receiving the
GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for FY 2025-2026. This is the 11th year the
award has been received. In order to receive the accolade, a budget document must satisfy the criteria to operate as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a
communication device. Budget documents must rate “proficient” in all four categories and in 14
mandatory criteria within those categories. Deputy Town Manager Cody Sexton said this award
is “a huge deal for a locality of our size.” He accepted the award along with Interim Finance
Director Tiffany Stewart and Interim Treasurer Kimberley Ramsey.
Presentation Award for FY 2025-2026— the 11th one the town has received. Pictured left to
right are Interim Town Treasurer Kimberley Ramsey, Sexton, and Interim Finance Director
Tiffany Stewart.
Council also adopted a resolution in support of a newly established RFP Subcommittee under the
Community Development Committee; It does not have the authority to make decisions, just
recommendations, which will enhance due diligence and promote fairness and competitiveness.
Three citizens addressed Town Council. George Baldwin spoke in support of the Vinton Police
Department and reminded council that, in this time of budget discussions, the town needs to pay,
honor, and support the police.
Skylour Stultz expressed her concerns that “there has been a decline in community involvement,
morale, and promotion of our town and an overall lack of connection between town leadership,
employees, and residents.” Her particular concern was “recent situations regarding town
employees who have served the community for 10, 15, or more years with dedication, care, and
respect, who were terminated without what appeared to be transparency, respect, or
acknowledgement of their dedication to this town.” She asked council “to review the leadership
practices and workplace culture within the administration to ensure employees are being treated
professionally, ethically, and with the respect they have earned.”
Gloria Charlton requested that council schedule a town hall meeting to discuss the perception
that the town is not thriving, there are too many empty buildings, and more contractors and
businesses within Vinton need to be hired for projects within the town.
The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for June 2.
