[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6184221,"mediaKeyId","5092428-29f4cc5d810b64269841e06f9384b0df","parentId",5092428,"title","Lexington staff reports sales tax lag and $163,000 property‑tax shortfall; overall surplus outlook reduced","audioSeconds",652,"startMs",2186000,"endMs",2838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092428-29f4cc5d810b64269841e06f9384b0df&start=2186&end=2838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092428-29f4cc5d810b64269841e06f9384b0df/thumbnail_2186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184221/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Lexington-staff-reports-sales-tax-lag-and-163000-propertytax-shortfall-overall-surplus-outlook-reduced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184221-68c346ec4c18ffd466b8857d9279c02a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775307216&Signature=NZfeQy7ib~332loZ4eABkwP4RGxxeQ3M7e3vKd3315eoC8Bzz5j2JUjqwAdsZ6mWkxjcL-9Njj2JULyHHewtZmRAGUF5nDNrb5CbqdxA3DTdoWe~~cjzCepL9Hw99whpdKfINi6h88FgJY8Jhvc8LlyQ7lMpdyXnD4Ug642F3nETg~yI-OlOXbfw4eZvzG9YEkX2STeyYV5Y6SGuiKNERs91iJXMAEVHOHTW3aPyp5k4Nuu6KiczKw5tWVhgo6ZI8qHvMDVP0NVBwWmHVsLUiE-zKzB6KVWoKt-KuZ6pWLpT~~5nNsFNMm9Rb0Oa6uUX6kg0SnYarxidS2n9--7pBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lexington","date","2025-06-27T11:44:01Z","article","City staff told the Lexington City Council that sales tax collections have trailed budget expectations during the fiscal year and that property‑tax collections are running below budget, creating a roughly $163,000 shortfall in property taxes the city is investigating.

A staff presenter said, \"sales tax has been falling behind what's budgeted throughout the year\" and added that \"we missed our property tax collections by about a 163,000.\" The presenter said first‑half property tax collections had been \"bang on\" and that staff must analyze whether missed payments reflect timing, property sales or other factors.

Staff said the combination of lower‑than‑expected sales tax and the property‑tax shortfall reduces the city’s earlier projection of a $500,000 to $600,000 operating surplus but that the city still anticipates ending the year with a positive balance. \"All that said, the balance of revenues ... we're still projecting an operating surplus,\" the presenter said, while cautioning the surplus will be smaller than projected in January.

Council members asked whether the recent City Hall move could have contributed to missed payments. A staff member responded, \"It is possible. I have no reason to think that, but I couldn't rule it out,\" and said staff will research whether location changes affected in‑person payments or taxpayer awareness.

Staff also highlighted an increase in expenditures tied to Virginia public assistance programs and the Children’s Services Act, both of which the presenter described as entitlement programs outside the city’s direct control. The presenter said increases in these programs are an \"early harbinger\" of greater need in the community and will warrant monitoring.

On a positive note, staff reported that lodging and meals tax revenues are projected to exceed budget and that the city recently received a new street sweeper in May. The presenter cautioned that while some revenue lines have improved since January, the city will track monthly data and may need to tighten the budget if early indicators point to longer‑term declines.

No council vote followed the presentation. Staff were directed to continue analyzing the data on property‑tax and sales‑tax receipts, report findings, and monitor the impacts of state and federal program changes on the city budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington City Council: June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Lexington City Council that sales tax collections have trailed budget expectations and that property‑tax collections are about $163,000 below forecast; staff will investigate timing and causes.","taxTitle","Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia","taxId",56190,"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},6184226,"Residents ask Lexington council to consider sister‑city ties, exploratory committee seeks city support",1003,1181000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092428-29f4cc5d810b64269841e06f9384b0df&start=1181&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092428-29f4cc5d810b64269841e06f9384b0df/thumbnail_1181000.jpg","/articles/6184226/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Residents-ask-Lexington-council-to-consider-sistercity-ties-exploratory-committee-seeks-city-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184226-f3574adb52bf011464fd6e4f3611e554/orig.mp4?Expires=1775307216&Signature=mNsNYJBzGV0aHbEgmEmihzpI~zxNjJG~XCsCmh-BrWiVlJV16ZsAkorU4CbtkZUYS5612KJv47cdewTD~ld5TV00nrKN1Jkg8ViOFfNwDz8GqYoufykHBmMQZVMg7Vee0m7I50MDRzpnguHFDm3j~uvsCOxd270rioqP~pskQpNGdI9wxMUIp9Um4If3lao3QFu-jV7GBZ~MrdisFE~RnjFFcZKDCpTIeayLFYOgxiztXQ-sJf1Cup2~WjnGFYH8gy6y~PCGhTmtL0nniUufuAEIu1Zriurj1Ec8JWCP-3xK7JEzpNuL72l6n9WzA2tVhVXGThSJdG5ZMCRRJDcM6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and members of a newly formed sister‑city exploratory committee asked the Lexington City Council to review and consider a formal sister‑city relationship and to clarify what role, if any, the city would play in supporting it.

The request came during a presentation to council by Natalie Alexishan, a member of the exploratory committee, who described the proposal as a community‑led cultural and educational exchange. \"I was lucky enough to be brought up in a very rich cultural community in the diaspora in the Chicago area,\" Alexishan said, describing how her background and local interest led to the committee’s formation.

The committee told council it is conducting research to find an appropriate partner city and to avoid creating a partnership that exists only on paper. Fred Blanton, introduced by the presenters as a member of the national Sister Cities board and the Virginia representative, met with the group and advised on how to build a sustainable program rather than a ceremonial link.

Committee members said they expect most of the work to be done by volunteers and community organizations, and they do not anticipate a need for substantial ongoing city staff time. The committee also cited potential activities that could involve local institutions — exchanges with universities, cultural events, culinary exchanges and educational programming.

City officials asked for more specifics before committing staff time or budget. A staff member said the city does not currently have a dedicated, budgeted sister‑city program and that other Virginia municipalities have varying levels of staffing and funding for such programs. The staff member said the city manager had already met with the exploratory committee and that council would revisit the request after staff had time to review objectives and potential impacts.

Council members and presenters also noted Lexington has had prior ceremonial international relationships but that any new formal program would be expected to define clear goals, responsibilities and the amount of city involvement. The committee said it would return with more detailed proposals once it completes initial due diligence and community outreach.

No formal action or vote was taken; council discussion ended with direction to the city manager and staff to review the committee’s goals and report back. Public comment during the same meeting also included a resident asking the city to acknowledge any sister‑city relationships on a welcome sign along a roadside.

The exploratory committee emphasized that the effort is intended to be community driven and nonpolitical, and asked council to consider a future formal request if committee research identifies a suitable partner city.","An exploratory committee urged the Lexington City Council to formally consider establishing a sister‑city relationship (committee members cited interest in a Ukrainian partnership), said the group would do most of the work, and asked city staff to review options and potential roles.","actionData","errors"]

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Lexington staff reports sales tax lag and $163,000 property‑tax shortfall; overall surplus outlook reduced

Residents ask Lexington council to consider sister‑city ties, exploratory committee seeks city support