By Debbie Adams
Vinton Town Council members, including Mayor Brad Grose, Vice Mayor Laurie Mullins, and
Council members Sabrina McCarty, Keith Liles, and Mike Stovall, adopted an ordinance leaving
the current real estate property tax rate at $0.07 per $100 of assessed value. Deputy Town
Manager Cody Sexton briefed council on the ordinance at a public hearing held prior to the vote.
No public comments were received. Real estate taxes for 2025 are due on June 5 and December
5.
Council also adopted an ordinance setting personal property and machinery and tool tax rates at
$1.00 per $100 of assessed value in 2025. No change was recommended for either tax. Council
members voted to keep the tax levy at $0.50 per $100 of assessed valuation for one motor
vehicle owned and regularly operated by a disabled veteran, subject to qualifications. Personal
property taxes are due on May 31.
Prior to the regular council meeting, a work session was held to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026
budget. Sexton provided a “snapshot” of current FY26 budget preparations which department
heads and staff have been working on diligently for several months. With the work session, they
were seeking council’s input on what the final budget should look like.
Sexton noted that revenue in the Town of Vinton has seen significant growth in recent years, due
to consumer activity (mainly from the host of new restaurants in Vinton) and economic
development projects. However, while total revenues are currently sustainable, they are projected
to decrease in the short-term. Natural growth is beginning to slow.
While town revenues have increased in a high-interest rate environment, Sexton said, “What the
fed giveth, they can taketh away.” Thus, expenditures by the town need to be strategic.
The town has also received large inflows of one-time money from the sale of the utility system to
the Western Virginia Water Authority ($3 million) and from ARPA funding during COVID.
Those monies artificially inflated the budget for several years but are ending.
Unlike most localities, Vinton has diverse revenue streams, not solely dependent upon real estate
taxes; however the opportunity for new revenues is limited.
The town’s major revenue sources include real estate taxes, personal property taxes, business
licenses, state sales taxes, meals taxes, and pari-mutuel taxes from Rosie’s. The town also
receives a substantial amount from state highway funds each year. Any downturn in the economy
at large puts the town at risk.
The Finance Department is expecting real estate taxes to level off as home prices stabilize. They
have seen a slow and steady growth in business license taxes. There has been a flattening across
the valley in state sales tax, possibly because consumers are not confident that the economy will
continue to grow. The 41 restaurants in Vinton have led to the increase in meals tax revenue, but
the area may have reached the saturation point with restaurants. Pari-mutuel taxes have seen
massive growth in recent years; however, the town estimates those revenues very conservatively
in budget planning to give the budget some flexibility.
Town Manager Pete Peters noted that the town has “maintained a conservative approach where
the yearly budget is concerned, which has worked for us.”
The town has a General Fund which is what they use to “pay the bills” and a Capital Fund which
funds one-time projects.
As for expenditures, Sexton thanked town staff for “prudent” spending, allowing for a “mean and
lean” budget.
Personnel expenses are the largest proportion of the budget ($7 million, 52%). This year’s
proposed budget factors in a 3% COLA raise for all employees (aligned with other localities in
Virginia), targeted increases for Public Works and Police Department employees, and no change
in health insurance premiums.
Major expenditures also include the cost of annual paving and payment for economic
development performance agreements.
The work session included discussion of contributions the town makes to community
organizations (such as the Dogwood Festival and Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia)
and joint local government services (such as RVTV and the greenway program).
There were rounded figures of current commitments in the budget, including economic
development incentives, renovations to the Vinton War Memorial, construction of the multi-
generational park, replacements to the stormwater infrastructure, property acquisition to facilitate
blight removal, additional paving, and support for the community center and Farmers’ Market.
The expanded CIP list also includes equipment the town needs to add or replace long-term and
short-term.
Sexton warned that there may be “tougher budgets” in the future if there is an overall economic
downturn, but that the town has built in options with the budget.
The town manager and staff will present their recommended budget for FY26 on May 6. A
public hearing is scheduled for May 20, with adoption of the budget most likely at the Town
Council meeting on June 3.
Prior to the regular council meeting on April 1, GFWC Vinton Woman’s Club members, several
Vinton Police officers, and Town Council members planted the annual blue and silver Pinwheel
Garden at the Municipal Building to promote April as National Child Abuse Awareness
Prevention Month.
During the council meeting, Woman’s Club member Kathryn Sowers talked about the
significance of the garden as it brings the community together to increase awareness of child
abuse. “Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families,” she said.
The GFWC is celebrating 135 years of service and volunteering, with clubs in all 50 states and
13 countries. Similar pinwheel gardens are planted across the United States. The pinwheel was
introduced by Prevent Child Abuse in 2008 as the official symbol of a great childhood. The
GFWC is also recognized as a powerful force against domestic violence.
Sowers thanked the town for also allowing the Vinton Woman’s Club to plant a yellow tulip
“Hope Garden” at the entrance to the Walnut Avenue parking lot. “The garden is planted to
spread hope and smash the stigma around mental health and suicide.”
Council members presented the Woman’s Club members with a proclamation declaring April as
National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Sowers also presented a report on the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as
executive assistant.
“So far this year, we have seen growth, collaboration, and innovation within our business
community. We have welcomed new members and strengthened our partnerships with the goal
of building a more connected, prosperous, and vibrant community.”
She mentioned several events that the Chamber has been or will be involved in (Downtown
Trick or Treat, the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, the 4 th of July Block Party, Lunch and Learns,
Senior Expo, Casino Night, Winter Restaurant Week, Regional Restaurant Week, ribbon
cuttings, Afterhours, Mingle at the Market concerts, golf tournaments, Fall Festival, and the
Christmas Parade). She also announced that Page Stovall Lovern has just been selected as
Chamber president for the upcoming year.
The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 6 p.m.
