[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6540002,"mediaKeyId","3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495","parentId",3517472,"title","General Assembly change would let Lynchburg apply $500 monthly derelict‑building penalty to commercial properties","audioSeconds",996,"startMs",5304000,"endMs",6300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495&start=5304&end=6300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495/thumbnail_5304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540002/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/General-Assembly-change-would-let-Lynchburg-apply-500-monthly-derelictbuilding-penalty-to-commercial-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540002-e7e34cb657b0bc09826a2a97fa7f1b56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211429&Signature=Eq0u2b7BHsprMnzYswFH5tqGMVY8ieFwemlll3xyl2Wz56C8vDu~mijlWvZ260nbBgrjDaLaSTIF2iWiHQ8ykFaGUqOlCeebh~dbqh-MAxkjtG7Mq1xe7cG4S1sWzyZ~qEvq-IEEk5c3GdkABbpXEvPA59r4OEXJIdmeDqr9MMMr6jTdh~~LOhd1qHfDxHsWVrrTbEZLcesunjrLuRvjUImep5ELaQQKdHwFHhDgJMOUgd-sldUFeqZukVUpYRS9gA~4EuwSGTKo1yyQmUCktLM9ArrQWDdAYy7CdcMFvqw8Sxq6Zqq8VTY3gpom19ob335K9rn0pQDQxuZg99FXkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynchburg","date","2025-05-27T18:50:48Z","article","City staff told council the General Assembly passed and the governor signed a bill removing a civil‑penalty exemption that had previously excluded commercial and industrial buildings from Lynchburg’s derelict‑building monthly penalty. City staff said, if council adopts the local ordinance amendment at its June 10 meeting, the city could begin assessing a $500 monthly civil penalty on derelict commercial properties in the same manner currently applied to derelict residential properties; the state bill takes effect in July.

Staff explained how the local enforcement process works: a building must be vacant, boarded and secured and disconnected from utilities to be declared derelict. Once declared derelict, the city must notify the tax‑record owner; the owner then has 90 days to submit a reasonable plan to demolish or renovate. If the owner submits an approvable plan, the city does not impose the $500 monthly charge; if the owner does nothing, the penalty can be imposed. The presenter said the $500 penalty is intended as an incentive to either rehabilitate or transfer property to an owner who will.

Council members asked how the penalty interacts with proposed demolition funds in the capital plan. A council member noted a proposed $750,000 demolition reserve in the CIP and asked whether the penalty and the demo fund overlap. Staff said the penalty revenues are deposited into the general fund and can be used to offset demolition costs but emphasized the city’s preference is rehabilitation rather than demolition. Staff also said demotion of commercial structures can be much more expensive than residential demolition; in some cases local code allows the city to impose a penalty up to the cost of demolition.

Council members discussed additional tools for property turnaround, including staff’s informal list of contractors who have previously purchased and rehabilitated derelict properties. Staff clarified that list is not an official vendor‑approved roster but a compilation they maintain of firms known to renovate derelict properties. Council members requested a forthcoming dashboard to help track derelict properties and noted barriers such as split heirs and unclear wills can complicate property turnover; staff said a dashboard is being developed and that they will explore partnerships with nonprofits to assist in complex title situations.

Council took no ordinance vote at the work session; staff said the derelict‑building amendment will appear for council action on June 10.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynchburg City Council Finance Committee Meeting/Work Session 5-27-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A state law change removes a prior exemption for commercial/industrial derelict buildings, allowing Lynchburg to impose the same $500 monthly civil penalty used for residential derelict properties; council will consider implementing an ordinance amendment June 10.","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},6540006,"Employee survey: citywide scores positive overall but stress and conflict rated lower",365,2593000,2958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495&start=2593&end=2958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495/thumbnail_2593000.jpg","/articles/6540006/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Employee-survey-citywide-scores-positive-overall-but-stress-and-conflict-rated-lower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540006-ac2586ea17222cd63bd20d77371801ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211429&Signature=gH99sQDiC40Q4lExP9FcR1yDGbSfYp48uIwKQDt~V6VRRL-2ZZSeosa1LqRIv4eTMSJebr~-T17VRy05XsPK0Zh2mESN1pehf6k55WBdbm6JeV43xLdTxFcm-pMICJofuGvXnotQSeqDj6s1Xw-j-jBg8~gDIvu5L0mJJS7x4pVjUWgPcfqXxsIIWTy-zNsg29xR-g8hYM4WBJsC8E~4vNWdnVhSG6NcMICc34ujepsvEBWk~7ybaQHlwEIlDXPFOlW40sqlF2RTmTU4B5Nh2J8lHU4-7UQMLwiRgjv-yoXCuxpfYDKww-s-lpEu5IRLl5iPu0uwEoatl13xrQDfqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Holly Jennings presented the results of the citywide employee survey to council at the May 27 work session, saying the instrument was administered in July 2024 and received 513 responses — above the 306 responses required for a 95% confidence level for the city’s employee population.

Dr. Jennings described methodology (standard Likert scale, 1–7 scoring with one reverse‑scored question to detect inattentive responses) and reported a citywide weighted average of 5.7 — placing overall results on the \"agree\" side of the scale. Department averages ranged from about 5.3 to 6.3 and no department’s average fell below the agree range.

Top individual items included statements that employees in their department treat citizens with respect (6.2 average), employees feel their work impacts departmental goals, and that employees feel respected by their direct supervisors. The two questions scoring below agree were related to workplace conflict and daily stress: \"most days I do not experience conflict in my role\" (about 4.5) and \"most days I experience a low level of stress\" (about 4.9).

The survey included open‑ended comments from 306 respondents. The most frequent themes were: positive experiences and collegial workplaces; concerns about internal communication and desire for greater involvement in decision‑making; pay and career progression/clarity on advancement pathways; workload and staffing pressures linked to vacancies; mixed views on diversity and inclusion training; facility and safety concerns; and appreciation for employee‑engagement and wellness programming.

Dr. Jennings and staff said they shared department‑level reports with directors and met with each department leadership team to translate results into departmental action plans. Citywide responses and department efforts described by staff include more than a dozen wellness initiatives and programs for first‑responder behavioral health support; staff also have offered classes (for example, sign language and civility training) and speaker events tied to employee interests.

Council members asked about survey periodicity, demographic representation, recruitment and diversity metrics, and how employee support programs are administered. Dr. Jennings confirmed the survey is biannual to preserve longitudinal comparability; staff noted the city also submits demographic workforce data to state and federal reporting programs and has recently expanded targeted recruitment efforts for public safety.","A university consultant and city staff presented results of a biannual employee survey of city staff: 513 responses produced a citywide weighted average of 5.7 (on a 1–7 Likert scale). Highest scores related to public respect and supervisor respect; the lowest scores measured workplace conflict and stress.",{"_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},6540011,"Council members press for clearer vacancy tracking after finance report",410,2455000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495&start=2455&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495/thumbnail_2455000.jpg","/articles/6540011/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Council-members-press-for-clearer-vacancy-tracking-after-finance-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540011-394ed7238d2cd87f8723c64a1e1d2e5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211429&Signature=ZU6UBuwpVFjXvH23lpFvYURS9u2EY2FoF4J3MkNZ3b3C5CHuBESDvM9YVfSyinJTy06J96uggW8gig5RQSIrVxA4ZttLjZyRdgB015hEquKG9M0n2r4GZK9EN-EpjIAfJoZi71-hvBjm26nI~09Gzv7jmRa6AZbA1voPTXq-XWiwDDzqptGm-BvzZSNBtQR1rcecrd2xYEIkpCE~dvVZ2x3Wxj1T0grUHhaBVyJJXqPfSxYWz64svTrIM7r4aOeJJB2oV2dT~PLCbuEGSSKmkoYEGRT2sTs26uw39YgHBC1HWQ1Lfmj3gDynz53t0uifvdVyWFGDySgSE7GlaniIWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff presented a consolidated position vacancy report showing full‑time vacancies across all funds and explained the data limitations in calculating vacancy length and vacancy-related savings.

Finance staff said the vacancy list includes positions from water, sewer, airport and general fund operations and that the report is for all funds (including enterprise funds). Committee members asked for two additional data points: (1) how long each position has been vacant and (2) an estimate of the dollar savings associated with managed vacancies. Staff said they can estimate vacancy savings but that producing an accurate, point‑by‑point length‑of‑vacancy dataset is currently limited by how position numbers historically were used in the HR system.

The report showed roughly 10 full‑time vacancies presented in the packet (staff noted the citywide headcount that the vacancies represent is about 7.9% when comparing full‑time positions to total workforce counts that include hourly staff). Committee members said vacancy duration and an estimated fiscal impact would be helpful; staff said the typical annual managed‑vacancy savings target is about $2,000,000 and that they calculate estimates periodically but that exact savings is finalized only at year‑end once payrolls are complete.

Council members and staff discussed staffing for police and fire (which have different hiring and academy timing), whether the city is “over‑hiring” in some units, and the potential for better HR–budget system integration so position control and vacancy reporting would flow more accurately between systems. Staff said they are working with HR to standardize how vacancy records are updated and to provide a more meaningful duration metric going forward.

The committee requested staff provide the vacancy report electronically, add vacancy‑duration and estimated dollar‑savings fields where possible, and return with an approach that reconciles HR and budget data to give more reliable vacancy tracking for future reports.","Council members asked finance and HR staff for better vacancy-duration tracking and dollar estimates of managed‑vacancy savings after the finance committee released a consolidated vacancy report showing full‑time vacancies across funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540014,"Finance committee: third-quarter reports show mixed results across city funds",1426,762000,2188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495&start=762&end=2188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517472-2c8d72ca4cc72e979ae3968815a88495/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6540014/Lynchburg/Campbell-County/Virginia/Finance-committee-third-quarter-reports-show-mixed-results-across-city-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540014-320e1fbc24ec24edc0abfcc64e30bee0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211430&Signature=eL5IZabRkxx5-J71eVBOJ91sxv2sMFTMrLrPHPtCV7TByPnC01-LzfflJ39IeyoGG2lJhiGu1GPCMowHLLzBr1mVAZmAb2Db~AXHwA9jVTD9oJgaGi51A67caDZFPKSQWdGndR8gzkFUosmRo2nADGiQmVKWuqS~It3Ccq-KIjBhE7ahKXBDvknpXr-YY9mmDKIXIM9gcqEYTaugpf1ZGd71sICm7t9GT2OAmQZq0I5MIUYXfJtdTAxisQrdMr3THFOBTSvJIO06S0O15vnFc6Fevo8v9ewJPmQHH-GrJnH8pV3tdvTb0L5~l0K8nAhq1N3i~Dvcjk-joijbbPG1XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff on the finance committee presented third-quarter fiscal year 2025 financial reports for multiple city funds, saying overall the city remains within policy targets but that revenue softness and timing issues are tightening some accounts.

Finance staff and department representatives reported individual fund highlights. Transit staff reported a $59,100 surplus for the quarter and about $163,000 in surplus year-to-date; winter storms reduced rides and fare revenue in January–February before ridership rebounded in March. The transit presenter said state operating revenue now better reflects overhead assigned to a micro-transit demonstration grant after staff reallocated project costs to the grant account.

At the regional airport, Assistant Airport Director Kathy Vance told the committee the airport enterprise continued to project year‑end positive results driven by higher landing fees, revamped car-rental agreements and stronger interest income on cash balances. Vance said terminal revenue and airfield revenue centers were above expectations but that utilities and custodial contracts drove some expense growth. In her presentation Vance stated a projected FY25 surplus amount (quoted in the presentation as \"a hundred thousand $647\"). That figure was stated on the record; staff later offered to clarify the precise formatting of that number.

The Blintenburg Regional Juvenile Detention Center reported revenue through the quarter of $2,561,874 with expenditures of $2,300,389. The presenter said salary increases, overtime and relief workers were the primary expenditure drivers; the center reported an average per-diem of $330 and average daily population near 18 youth, noting Lynchburg accounted for over two‑thirds of those in custody.

Water, sewer and stormwater presenters reported contrasting outcomes. The Water Fund reported revenues expected about $168,000 below budget largely because citywide water use is down roughly 9% compared with recent years; however interest earnings partly offset the shortfall. The Sewer Fund expects revenues about $1.3 million above budget driven by additional contract and high‑strength waste surcharges; sewer expenses were projected lower than budget largely because of lower landfill fees and reduced contractor use. The Stormwater Fund expected revenues about $84,000 above budget and expenses notably below budget.

The general fund summary through March 31 showed expenditures running about 70% of budget (slightly ahead of revenue collections for the quarter), with several major tax revenues received later in the fiscal year (real estate and personal property due in May–June). The monthly tax comparison noted sales tax was slightly above budget through March, meals tax rebounded from winter months but remained below long‑term expectations, and lodging tax remained materially below budget for the period.

Department presenters and finance staff flagged several operational drivers: insurance premium increases, higher parts lead times (driving increased inventory on hand), timing of vendor billing (notably tire purchases recorded in a later month), and a large self‑insurance claim that affected fund splits. Staff told the committee the funds generally meet the city’s financial policy ratios; the Water Fund reported a debt coverage ratio of 1.21 and a fund balance of about 31%.

Committee members asked for follow-up details on a range of items, including runway construction timing at the airport and an earlier discussion about bringing back an air show, the composition and drivers of detention-center per‑diems, and exact budget‑to‑actual clarifications that staff said they would provide.

The finance presenters urged that some line‑item variances reflect timing and billing anomalies rather than structural budget problems; they also described ongoing efforts to better assign grant overhead and to hold additional parts inventory because supplier lead times had lengthened from one week to two or three months.

The committee did not take formal budget adoption votes during this session; staff asked members to signal any questions they wanted included in follow-ups and said more detailed quarter adjustments (for some funds) would come before council later in the month.","City finance staff presented third-quarter FY25 reports showing surpluses in some enterprise funds, lower-than-expected revenues in others and continuing pandemic-era supply-chain impacts on parts and maintenance costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

General Assembly change would let Lynchburg apply $500 monthly derelict‑building penalty to commercial properties

Employee survey: citywide scores positive overall but stress and conflict rated lower

Council members press for clearer vacancy tracking after finance report

Finance committee: third-quarter reports show mixed results across city funds