[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6577908,"mediaKeyId","3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968","parentId",3091016,"title","Public raises water, sewer and stormwater concerns in Lynchburg hearing; fluoride debate surfaces","audioSeconds",815,"startMs",9865000,"endMs",10680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968&start=9865&end=10680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968/thumbnail_9865000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577908/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Public-raises-water-sewer-and-stormwater-concerns-in-Lynchburg-hearing-fluoride-debate-surfaces","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577908-63bfb619675d65a9e07d43fb42cc7603/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201938&Signature=JpozYxc1UODVQ~4MzOhadN4kToHFe4qxnpTh4rUdvdB90hJfnEK-Sl-IlZv4SviHLSNS64j115uBi~bgSl4gJ6k9Q4ZQgvZqVmxoGEwHa2PH2ojeNYXVs0EFwqjvI8pUjw9u4Aps-xc9V9tm2nmFN9~aYCKYp3HffygoWwcdDeJWsAv~~JSNN81SXu~6d0jyryMS2JRQTGOLiukpEILjIGrcZkIyLqf2aQCcC3MRVTnzClyzsRVbb2lm63H-EwjW1Qxfo5OY7QwsPWMoxul0Fp1niQA3vU2wDV8BfrBndjvEF-okPrBLGFQVkRe5E-3~6SU-N7wmsicZhc2t3qopBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynchburg","date","2025-04-23T04:20:34.047Z","article","Lynchburg city council also held a public hearing on proposed water, sewer and stormwater rates during its April 22 meeting, drawing comments on billing practices, conservation and infrastructure needs.

Several residents said that a large portion of household water bills consists of fixed fees and non‑commodity charges and urged staff to consider ways to protect low‑volume users. Andrea Hurt and other speakers asked for creative approaches to reduce costs and to examine operational waste; Josh Eager and other residents said Lynchburg’s water rates remain competitive and stressed the importance of reliable revenue to maintain infrastructure.

A portion of the water hearing turned to the topic of fluoride. One speaker asserted that fluoride in drinking water is harmful and questioned its use; another speaker, who identified as autistic, responded that the claim should not be treated as medical advice and cautioned against relying on sources that promote misinformation. Council and staff did not propose any immediate policy change on fluoride; the exchange was part of the public record during the rates hearing.

The council closed the water, sewer and stormwater hearing and noted that staff would respond to technical questions and include the hearing record in the record for the FY26 budget deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynchburg City Council Budget Public Hearing 4-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","During a public hearing on proposed water, sewer and stormwater rates residents asked about billing structures, conservation and the library/pool impacts; one speaker challenged fluoride use and drew immediate pushback from another commenter.","taxTitle","Lynchburg, Campbell County, Virginia","taxId",3745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577912,"Lynchburg hears hours of public comment on proposed tax increase; council does not adopt a rate",7318,790000,8108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968&start=790&end=8108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968/thumbnail_790000.jpg","/articles/6577912/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Lynchburg-hears-hours-of-public-comment-on-proposed-tax-increase-council-does-not-adopt-a-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577912-e2c3abb8daf4e46ec9dfc44e732ab653/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201938&Signature=fEm6ciS601Ke3lzVtfxVb3XMy6KBTh781VV9QcyBfpVKBJGdaim0a8Aw3ogrXv~BYzOYyF1~2FMAWZp5~x049NdHE686gPXqlpS5IZrUcIo35f5yCSL7zuDrUgR2qTVikdzDD35k8EXIjuNlp73O6N3KWcFvJEpc7Gh6cmBI9EaW7y~X52lqSGj9BMFltBzQYr8IEE5V7pRwAMcZKsTG4vJRMBJFx0isn4eMA41LcmVGNA3U7pQ2cHPzpsdA2eseF0AfBD4XWRh2b3ohTbaJG8HKsbFAjCENBhSmcqKDbucn25aa1Yaej59NC-7r8SEhsc4oG9Z6WrhrlewQw7Kxjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynchburg city council spent an evening hearing wide-ranging public comment April 22 on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and real property tax rate, with no tax rate adopted at the meeting.

The city manager presented an operating and capital budget that relies on a manager‑proposed real property tax rate (previously discussed in the budget process) and drew both sustained support and sharp criticism during the public hearing. Speakers who urged maintaining the manager’s proposal pointed to school facility needs, library repairs and employee pay. Opponents urged lowering the tax rate to avoid sharply higher bills for homeowners and renters.

Officials debated several formal motions on the council floor. One motion, as read into the record, would have set the tax rate at the equalization rate of 0.767 per $100 of assessed value and directed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance for formal adoption; that motion was discussed but the city attorney advised the council it raised procedural and legal concerns if adopted before all budget public hearings and would likely be out of order. A substitute motion to set the rate at 75 cents per $100 failed for lack of a second. Later attempts to amend the agenda so the council could adopt a rate at the close of the evening’s public hearings were debated and ultimately did not pass. After the debate the council closed the public hearings without adopting a tax rate and scheduled further budget work sessions and meetings for follow‑up.

Residents' remarks reflected sharply different priorities. Ben Copeland, interim superintendent for Lynchburg City Schools, told the council the manager’s proposal “is a significant step in the right direction,” summarizing the division’s request and the proposed city contribution; he said the manager’s budget included a $2.71 million increase to the city’s portion of the schools’ operating budget and multi‑year capital funding. Supporters said facility work, classroom staffing, substitute coverage and pay competitiveness for teachers and staff depend on increased local funding.

Many homeowners and renters urged the council to protect taxpayers on fixed incomes. Several speakers gave personal examples of assessment increases of 30%–50% and said those rising assessments, if paired with the manager’s rate, would produce large year‑over‑year tax increases. Landlords told council they would pass higher property taxes on to tenants. Other speakers argued that cuts to city services would harm the most vulnerable and hamper economic growth.

City officials also sought legal clarity on timing. The city attorney pointed to Virginia Code §58.1‑3321 and explained how advertising and scheduling rules for tax hearings intersect with budget hearings, and staff advised that suspending or accelerating formal vote procedures could pose legal or procedural risks. After the meeting council members and staff said they would use upcoming work sessions to review options, weigh trade‑offs and return with recommendations before the formal readings of the budget ordinance.","More than four hours of public comment and debate focused on whether to keep the city manager’s proposed real property tax rate, fund schools, the library and a Miller Park pool; council debated motions to set a rate but took no final tax vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577917,"Lynchburg announces October changes to trash decals, monthly brush/bulk pickup and $10 utility fee",101,113000,214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968&start=113&end=214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091016-7d12cc2afa4731adcda7a9ac85869968/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6577917/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Lynchburg-announces-October-changes-to-trash-decals-monthly-brushbulk-pickup-and-10-utility-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577917-06df2939f668c7861e338285090b7a2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201938&Signature=KZkLm1x~y6t2Rvz~yPmRIh3XfolUCky6xoDfisC3F0MnpMhECJrUTBz9hI0ew~5dAvdlYMqD222MuTdBpPLtZSvW4LhQzCzOrIIzZ0qYWGuSuAFpPv9BnDvYSoyjg8wdbjvZseONxsUMyGa64O8iheboZLjOd2S5qdvfIhy6oUJeewtuYCb7rQL0hdirFupmRCSNphTRSD7jU8Cgzp2C-9s5WgDmI8YV76tVqoUb~9h9MFpgU8Wo8soCtcCcz12Pojb0~72-iGSBoyeBr0W-54GZcNv42smkakNGw17vkV~J47c6M9Kiek02FFw-6IWtZ7fb5GM-8L8DYUyyu6whUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynchburg city staff announced changes to curbside refuse and recycling service that will take effect Oct. 1, officials told a council work session.

City staff said the city will stop selling an annual trash decal and instead add a $10 monthly charge for refuse service to each customer’s water utility bill. Jeremy Klein, the city’s refuse and recycling supervisor, told the meeting the $10 charge will be the same for customers with 32‑gallon and 64‑gallon carts.

Klein said blue overflow bags will still be available for trash that does not fit in the cart. Customers who want to upgrade from a 32‑gallon to a 64‑gallon cart may call the city’s customer line (Citizens First) at the number provided by staff to schedule an exchange. He also described a new monthly schedule for brush and bulk collection: those items will be picked up once a month on the same weekday as a home’s regular trash service (for example, Monday pickups would occur the first full week of each month). Residents were asked not to place brush or bulk at the curb until the Saturday before that monthly pickup week.

City staff framed the changes as intended to improve efficiency and reduce costs while keeping overflow options and cart upgrades available.

Staff said more detailed guidance — including how the charge will appear on utility bills and any exemptions or assistance options — will be provided to customers ahead of the Oct. 1 start date.","City staff said residents will stop buying annual decals and instead see a $10 monthly charge on water bills; brush and bulk collection will be scheduled once a month on the household’s regular trash day starting Oct. 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public raises water, sewer and stormwater concerns in Lynchburg hearing; fluoride debate surfaces

Lynchburg hears hours of public comment on proposed tax increase; council does not adopt a rate

Lynchburg announces October changes to trash decals, monthly brush/bulk pickup and $10 utility fee