[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6103866,"mediaKeyId","2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835","parentId",2793007,"title","Bristol council adopts sidewalk ban downtown, updates backyard-chicken rules; approves staffing contract and proclamations","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",1871000,"endMs",1938000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835&start=1871&end=1938","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103866/Bristol/Washington-County/Virginia/Bristol-council-adopts-sidewalk-ban-downtown-updates-backyard-chicken-rules-approves-staffing-contract-and-proclamations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103866-92698ad9340c970118336f705430b10b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101577&Signature=m8Xzxf2qzOX~Kn6sNr09rrIsK2OdzT4IGLpDgAb~4rTI8-nzLhSV-frkuN2yYPO6GEVahYd5KzmNCexyTJwRHMzfXT5B7WqdjglEig5VhF~y3owMKButjHKq7Q46iR-Cqco4S4mPh0HBp8dCL2Sm6qE10COKN2e4V1Vu8Vigm-gimgPgcOWHnzEPbNK5co6k5IgTkUqhEVDifLRhirQgkwvyHleaC23XSgeqfMYa1-DI9TLxr1ma4ISpaj-~jSnKTe3qRyEOrxbAewJO7Bm9rWBPpK8jyMz-KZOdlcsojDTSY~3Cf75dw1ANxx5sAz7uXpZthOpnBrI1qrvYONXXHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bristol, VA","date","2025-03-27T13:55:23.857Z","article","At its March 25 meeting the Bristol Virginia City Council approved several ordinances, a contract authorization and ceremonial proclamations. The package of actions included a downtown sidewalk prohibition for bicycles and similar devices, a revised rule set for backyard agricultural uses, authorization for a temporary staffing contract, and approval of two proclamations.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-1 (adoption): An ordinance prohibiting the use of certain vehicles and devices on specified sidewalks within the city (downtown area). Council adopted the ordinance by roll call; Farnam — yes; Holmes — yes; Osborne — yes; Pollard — yes; Nave — yes. The law narrows prohibited areas to sidewalks adjacent to State Street from Commonwealth Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard, portions of Piedmont, Lee and Moore streets, and Cumberland Street east of Piedmont Avenue. The ordinance becomes effective 30 days after adoption (April 26) and staff said state law requires signage; signs will be posted during the 30-day period.

- Ordinance 25-2 (adoption): Title update to Chapter 50, land use, Division 11, section 50-136 (agricultural uses on residential property). Council adopted the ordinance by roll call; Farnam — yes; Holmes — yes; Osborne — yes; Pollard — yes; Nave — yes. The revision reduces the property-boundary setback requirement, sets permit fees for backyard poultry ($50 initial, $25 annual renewal), limits poultry to six chickens (no roosters), clarifies inspection and permitting procedures, and restates that onsite sale or slaughter is not permitted.

- Contract authorization (RFP HR-25-001): Council authorized the city manager to enter a contract with Latrell Staffing for temporary employment administration after a competitive RFP process. The motion carried by roll call; Farnam — yes; Holmes — yes; Osborne — yes; Pollard — yes; Nave — yes. Staff reported Latrell Staffing was the incumbent and was found to be best value following evaluation and negotiation.

- Proclamations: The council approved a proclamation designating March 2025 as American Red Cross Month and a proclamation designating April 6–12, 2025 as National Library Week. Both proclamations passed by roll calls recorded in the meeting and presenters from each organization were invited forward.

- Consent agenda and other routine motions: Adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of the consent agenda and adjournment were carried by recorded votes.

Public comments and related notes

- Dom Richardson (resident) asked that council coordinate signage on State Street to notify the public about the sidewalk restrictions and to align policy across the state line; staff responded that state law requires signage and that signs will be posted before the ordinance’s effective date.

- Samantha Gray, executive director of Theatre Bristol, said Theatre Bristol purchased the Cameo Theatre and asked the council to consider financial support of $50,000 and $25,000 in property funds to support the theater’s operation and debt reduction.

- Donnie Branson asked the council to consider eliminating or reducing personal property tax for senior citizens.

- Frank Goodpaster III asked the city to evaluate installation of traffic sensors at the 381 intersection (Pittston Road/Church Street) to reduce unnecessary signal stops.

What comes next: Ordinance 25-1 goes into effect April 26, after a 30-day posting period for signage; ordinance 25-2 is in force following adoption. Staff will finalize the staffing contract documents and proceed with execution under city procurement rules.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 25 meeting the Bristol Virginia City Council adopted Ordinance 25-1 banning certain vehicles on specified downtown sidewalks, adopted Ordinance 25-2 updating agricultural rules for residential property, authorized a staffing contract, approved proclamations, and approved the consent agenda.","taxTitle","Bristol, Washington County, Virginia","taxId",56054,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6103870,"Bristol staff present FY2026 revenue outlook; council warned of landfill costs and pending tax-rate decision",1137,1983000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835&start=1983&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835/thumbnail_1983000.jpg","/articles/6103870/Bristol/Washington-County/Virginia/Bristol-staff-present-FY2026-revenue-outlook-council-warned-of-landfill-costs-and-pending-tax-rate-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103870-e8d7c9ba18cc20e129b265d343954f4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101577&Signature=l4D4~HhmAXWixw1nv3yYplxU2MDDZuNriqyRN~4IA1MlPKgHYlWZ3~NHLXjjkqY-VINssT9keblgwWcxDUJ0xOloPrjH7Ah4z1ZWk8EXIMDyZ1j4wvczj5njd0BM6-~4Md8HQiCDOv8IW1EEHEG4R73vxyF9D85uQBeZGcKS-YqjlfKBu3n8yqOcNPclVE5-lMKQdaokKOYDvd7jQuLFtmtmETTEPRPGIH58g4iPuz7A3KcRl27VdCOVkBUMj3rI1jAyzD91ngN8KSxO-GowoEusHPYKaPTesUzdmxAJA-mMms91LXgv7uOM23GH-B6oAPxQOPzHslQMf5KksqSG~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reviewed revenue projections and the schedule for the FY2026 budget at a March 25 budget workshop, reporting projected increases in real estate, lodging and restaurant meals taxes while cautioning that several figures rest on only a short run of data.

City Manager Randy and finance staff outlined the remaining budget schedule: a formal budget presentation on April 8, a public hearing on the tax rate and a tax-rate resolution on April 12, advertisement of the appropriation ordinance on April 12, and public hearings and readings through May when the budget ordinance will be adopted. The tax rate underlying the numbers had not been finalized; staff said they would confirm the rate the following morning.

Key revenue highlights presented by staff included a proposed increase in current real estate tax revenue from $14.6 million in the FY2025 budget to $17.3 million in FY2026 (an increase of about $2.7 million). Lodging tax revenue was projected to rise from $3.5 million to $4.5 million. Restaurant meals taxes were projected to increase by about $350,000 overall, and admissions tax receipts were estimated to increase by roughly $60,000. Staff emphasized that some projections rely on two months of data from a large local economic development activity and that figures could change as more data arrive.

On admissions tax policy, Randy said the tax is collected from customers when they buy tickets and is not a levy paid by nonprofit event organizers. “I would not recommend to this council to get rid of the admissions tax,” Randy said, noting the tax helps cover public-safety and public-works costs during major events. Staff also said they cannot disclose individual businesses’ tax contributions under state code.

Council members asked for follow-up details, including an average household impact for real-estate reassessment. Staff said they will provide an average-dollar-change estimate for property owners after finalizing the tax rate. Several council members praised Tamara Spradlin’s work on the revenue projections: “Tamara Spradlin has worked tirelessly on this,” Randy said.

Beyond revenue lines, council discussed major cost pressures. Staff reported that landfill-related expenses will require roughly $9 million from the general fund this year and that the city carries sizable debt related to the landfill (roughly $62 million) and the Falls development (approximately $80–84 million). Council members noted gaming-tax revenue is split among 14 localities and so does not fully offset those obligations.

No formal budget votes were taken at the workshop; staff requested that council send additional questions to the city manager and assistant city manager for follow-up.

","City staff presented projected FY2026 revenues and a schedule for the budget process; highlights included higher real estate and lodging tax estimates, pending tax-rate calculations, and a large landfill-related expense borne by the general fund.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6103875,"Bristol council approves housing authority name change to Beyond Housing",849,946000,1795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835&start=946&end=1795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793007-93add6da7abfa68279ee69a92960f835/thumbnail_946000.jpg","/articles/6103875/Bristol/Washington-County/Virginia/Bristol-council-approves-housing-authority-name-change-to-Beyond-Housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103875-61445005e47521989e27219c987cc180/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101577&Signature=BR64Mk5L4ZodBxZSMgtll8BGlklJj~OMGmwXCSSzrHYC~TkP24tMtZdsEVVCYBKvOn-7sL3BlE0JEdcbAoIW~QHbXegMlwAr-1p7nUKxcfSS-1o8qQ9q~D-9v7XgB1EsHftI3XjjRmJ6-s0bxCjL5tlvE2Y9qTlq7Q0ssgK35uFjAm-qLmlmiEhTTeUFXDAxWNUE5Yzj1l1inser6FcuQa6r0Fuf8hgtDKHV0y3VTH0cH~~zewRNCI3qL15vashYAmPNO4mgV~Qe8GiSicyKTz9OiukMm~t4Wz-9p-WKrSSMded33vyD4VCYCKhskixLOW2IfGXnkHu~34bZz1qEag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bristol Virginia City council voted 4–1 on March 25 to approve a request from the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority to change its name to Beyond Housing.

City Manager Randy reported that Virginia Code §36-4 was amended in 2022 to allow localities to approve a housing authority’s request to change its name, and that the authority’s board voted in January 2025 to adopt the new name. Ray Austin, deputy director of the housing authority, said the change is part of a broader effort to reflect services beyond traditional public housing: “We selected Beyond Housing because we really do go beyond just housing,” Austin said.

Why it matters: the name change is a rebranding aimed at reducing stigma attached to the phrase “housing authority” and to reflect expanded resident services and redevelopment work tied to the authority’s Choice Neighborhoods and other initiatives. Council members asked how the authority would avoid public confusion and whether the new branding would retain a clear link to the authority’s formal role.

Public comment: Frank Goodpaster III, a resident at 520 Lawrence Avenue, told council he opposed the change. “The name Housing and Beyond, I think is that what it is? That's kind of vacuous. I would strongly object to changing the name because the new name may last for a couple of years, but, over time, it presents problems,” Goodpaster said during public comment.

Council discussion focused on preserving clarity about the authority’s public role while allowing new branding. Authority representatives said the organization plans to use Beyond Housing as a public-facing brand while keeping a legal tagline—“the Housing Authority of the City of Bristol, Virginia”—to reduce confusion. Councilmember Osborne said he was concerned the new name could confuse residents searching for the housing authority; Osborne voted no. Others, including Councilmember Pollard and Mayor Becky Nave, said they trusted the authority’s board and supported the change.

The vote: Farnam — yes; Holmes — yes; Osborne — no; Pollard — yes; Nave — yes. The resolution passed 4–1. Staff said the authority’s bylaws have been updated and the change will be implemented in branding and documents going forward.

Next steps: With council approval, the authority will proceed with the new public name and retain the legal tagline to maintain clarity about its statutory role.

","The Bristol Virginia City Council approved a resolution permitting the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority to change its name to Beyond Housing, following a staff report and public comment; the vote was 4–1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bristol council adopts sidewalk ban downtown, updates backyard-chicken rules; approves staffing contract and proclamations

Bristol staff present FY2026 revenue outlook; council warned of landfill costs and pending tax-rate decision

Bristol council approves housing authority name change to Beyond Housing