[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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",[32,76],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6472297,"mediaKeyId","5776701-16583914383db90afad0e2d183aceccb","parentId",5776701,"title","Petersburg council directs staff to pursue two interim financing lines, approves $4 million reimbursement plan for police vehicles","audioSeconds",516,"startMs",351000,"endMs",867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776701-16583914383db90afad0e2d183aceccb&start=351&end=867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776701-16583914383db90afad0e2d183aceccb/thumbnail_351000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472297/Virginia/Petersburg-council-directs-staff-to-pursue-two-interim-financing-lines-approves-4-million-reimbursement-plan-for-police-vehicles","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472297-4c0fe3776b4c521c6908780a7526f968/orig.mp4?Expires=1770513709&Signature=EGdBbdk6wAOFs1dkShJ1AdeKQHaoRXneXqdxJOYBmL0iFqsed44sjgxmL0tsPZBL086l1kMIYc7Eo5Z36bG7eBdNoPRgsyc7ILKR4h6KTmSnhN2WX4nqt6phmvSGdnrkneywPu5lxLbKDIHtEpMPTTbYqD86GXEej6YhxqRYnADMX6TR2dTx7jZIdDueyTPeIrwS2jRvWQmV4zKpwId1ovczd-ccGRHCZWTkxa6cfJqhoYFCcbCItwf~7NPCorAEOgHgHfVMDCSrqm0RJ3nHasRvfvqdE~2AQCSrxiT4KFpcw-89O-2NDRNYZfKgHYKWzzs~La7nU6h6fVtyS45xlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Petersburg","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","Petersburg's City Council voted Tuesday to direct city staff and Davenport & Company to proceed with a plan to establish two interim financings — one for general fund capital needs and one for utility enterprise projects — and to consider a reimbursement resolution that would allow the city to purchase roughly $4 million in police vehicles now and reimburse the cost from interim financing later.

The action followed a presentation from Davenport financial advisor (Davenport representative) Robert Rose and colleagues, who told council the firm had identified roughly $250 million of general fund capital needs and roughly $190 million of deferred capital needs in the city's utility system. Rose said the firm recommended two separate interim borrowing vehicles rather than immediate permanent borrowing, which would allow the city to pay interest only while projects move forward and then convert to permanent financing when appropriate.

Why it matters: Council members and staff described the steps as a way to address immediate public-safety and utility infrastructure shortfalls without drawing down reserves. Staff said some projects can be funded from grants and low-interest loans but that an interim line would allow the city to move on urgent needs while preserving cash flow.

Key details from the presentation and council discussion

- Two interim financings proposed: a general-fund line (recommended initial sizing discussed at $30 million in prior materials but with only $10\u0012$12 million likely needed in the near term) and a separate $40 million utility enterprise line to kick-start water/sewer investments. Rose said about one-third of utility needs are expected to be covered by grants, prior bond proceeds and a near-term low-interest DEQ loan of about $20 million.

- Immediate purchases: Staff asked to adopt a reimbursement resolution to allow the city to use its cash reserves to buy police vehicles now (estimated $4 million) and then reimburse itself from the interim financing. Rose said vendor financing was more expensive than the city's borrowing cost.

- Staffing and sequencing: Rose recommended keeping general fund and utility financings separate and limiting early draws so the city does not co-mingle funds, a practice he said contributed to Petersburg's earlier fiscal troubles.

Council debate and vote

Councilmembers raised questions about priorities and timing. Councilmember Cuthbert argued the council should adopt a capital improvement plan and prioritize projects before creating new borrowing. Cuthbert said, in effect, the council had not had a full debate about spending priorities and voted against the motion to direct staff.

Vice Mayor Hill moved the directive that city staff and Davenport proceed with the financing plan and consider adopting the reimbursement resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Smithley. The roll call vote recorded Councilmember Cuthbert voting no; all other members present voted yes. The motion passed.

What the motion does and does not do

- Directs staff to pursue bank proposals and structure interim borrowing vehicles; it does not commit the city to a specific permanent bond sale or to spend the entire amounts shown in the materials.
- Authorizes staff to prepare a reimbursement resolution so the city can use cash reserves to buy urgent items (police vehicles) and later reimburse spending on a tax-exempt basis from interim or permanent financing.
- Does not itself appropriate the full $30 million general-fund borrowing or the $40 million utility line; staff said further council approvals and public hearings will follow before definitive borrowings.

Speakers (reported in meeting record)

- Robert Rose, Davenport financial advisor (presenting)
- Mayor Samuel Perham
- Vice Mayor Hill (mover)
- Councilmember Cuthbert (dissenting)
- Councilmember Smithley (second)

Authorities referenced

- None specifically required for the council directive. During the rate discussion, consultants and staff cited state loan programs (DEQ) and prior bond proceeds as funding sources.

Actions

- Motion: Council directs city staff and Davenport & Company to move forward with the proposed plan of finance, including pursuing two interim financing vehicles and preparing a reimbursement resolution to allow short-term purchases (mover: Vice Mayor Hill; second: Councilmember Smithley). Outcome: approved (Cuthbert no; others yes).

Clarifying details

- Immediate vehicle need cited by staff: $4,000,000 targeted for police vehicles. Fire apparatus had separate orders pending and transit vehicle needs were described as a separate conversation.
- Larger priorities mentioned: $5\u0012$6 million for a sports facility and other general-fund capital items that together account for near-term needs of about $10\u0012$12 million regardless of Cordish project timing.

Community relevance and next steps

Staff said they will issue a bank request for proposals, hold public hearings on financing (an informational rate study for utilities is scheduled for Oct. 7), and return to council for formal resolutions and closing of lines. Councilmembers asked that the capital project prioritization be finalized in parallel with financing work.

Ending

The council's direction clears the way for bankers and staff to price interim credit and return with formal borrowing actions; councilmembers who voted no said they still want an adopted capital plan before significant borrowing occurs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Petersburg - Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Petersburg's City Council voted Tuesday to direct staff to pursue two interim financing vehicles and to prepare a reimbursement resolution that would allow the city to buy roughly $4 million in police vehicles now and reimburse itself later from short-term financing.","taxTitle","Petersburg (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",67559,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6472292,"Council adopts $12 million in grants and approves FY26 carryforward requests",372,1991000,2363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776701-16583914383db90afad0e2d183aceccb&start=1991&end=2363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776701-16583914383db90afad0e2d183aceccb/thumbnail_1991000.jpg","/articles/6472292/Virginia/Council-adopts-12-million-in-grants-and-approves-FY26-carryforward-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472292-47ef58a82a246198f5c0c726e17c2d12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770513709&Signature=lQqo989l8LfL~GTWRmo3ybhosrj42L6YvrMu~nRx16ejTOe-rfTZWheTHXgmaDYCI8G5leIc5VxFM-R31a1PirGHvVSDkrLSlNYKJ12-e5XMufoZ8QFOV34QLIT2FthxoFd9FTELp-xd-Qjs6M~i8~EYOYeiZxWCzSIl96xtzh1mM6-XsAtv-ZnvRTBopaYUHTavHJ~PGDwhYb0kxV9bgEqvkwYXHMWt0r~XDjZS4Uu9jcR75LriQ64XW0r0EckEcF6ntokUJo~gSMKROJZojx4xYfV5vrt4LlBoZaByZ1ZKHCL9RdoPn6HmVha4MvX0hZEpEY4s-YJTAtZXrqnWpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Petersburg City Council approved two budget items Tuesday that add state and federal grant dollars to the city's FY2026 budget and carry forward unspent project funds from FY2025.

Council approved an amendment to the FY2026 grants fund listing nearly $12 million in grants the city said require no local match, and then approved a separate request to carry forward a little over $1 million of previously appropriated but unspent funds into the new fiscal year.

Why it matters: The grants provide funding for public safety, emergency medical services, victim/witness services, community corrections, and several flood mitigation and harbor/dredging planning efforts. Carryforward action lets departments finish projects started in FY2025 without reappropriating new funds.

Grants and purposes cited by staff

- NG9-1-1 equipment grant (Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board): $150,000 for police department communications.
- HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) grant (Virginia State Police): $8,878 for the sheriff's office.
- Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) through VDH/VDEM: $180,000 toward ambulance purchase for Fire Rescue.
- Industrial Revitalization Fund: funds to demolish the Travel Inn property (amount shown in packet).
- Victim Witness and Community Corrections grants (DCJS): funding to operate those city departments ($300,000 noted for victim witness; additional amounts for community corrections listed in packet).
- Community Flood Preparedness Fund (DCR CFPF), rounds 4 and 5: several projects totaling several million (including $2.2 million for floodplain properties and $2,000,000 for harbor-related work and a $250,000 dredging study; a $650,000 structural inventory item was also listed).

Carryforward request

Budget manager Gary Kozy explained the carryforward covers projects and purchases started but not completed because of delivery delays, supply chain issues and scheduling. He said most carryforward items are expected to be spent during FY2026, including equipment and vehicles for fire and police, zoning ordinance update work, and other departmental purchases.

Council action

Vice Mayor Hill moved the grants amendment; Councilmember Jones seconded after discussion clarifying that the grants are tied to specific projects and do not become a general pool of discretionary funds. The public hearing produced no speakers; the council voted to adopt the grants amendment. Later, council moved and approved the FY2026 carryforward request after a public comment from resident Tina Noor who asked whether the funds would be spent in the coming year; staff responded they expected to expend almost all carryforward dollars during FY2026.

Speakers listed in the meeting record

- Gary Kozy, Budget Manager (presented grants and carryforward items)
- Tina Noor, resident (public comment during carryforward hearing)

Authorities

- None cited beyond standard budget appropriation procedures; grants originate from multiple state agencies (VDH, VDEM, DCJS, DCR, etc.).

Actions (budget votes)

- Motion: Amend FY2026 Grants Fund to appropriate nearly $12 million in grant awards (mover: Vice Mayor Hill; second: Councilmember Jones). Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Approve FY2026 carryforward of unspent FY2025 funds (mover: Vice Mayor Hill; second: Councilmember Westbrook). Outcome: approved.

Clarifying details

- Kozy said all listed grants are fully funded and require no city match.
- CFPF funds are from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and target floodplain mitigation, Bank Street evaluation and harbor dredging study work.
- RSAF amount ($180,000) is targeted to ambulance procurement for Fire Rescue.

Community relevance

- Grants support public safety (police, fire/EMS), victim services, community corrections and flood mitigation — areas with direct impact on Petersburg residents.

Ending

With the appropriations approved, departments may obligate and spend the listed grant funds in FY2026; staff said they will work with departments to begin projects and purchases now that the budget amendment is in place.","Petersburg council approved an amendment adding nearly $12 million in grants to the FY2026 grants fund and approved a carryforward of roughly $1 million in unspent FY2025 project funds to FY2026.","actionData","errors"]

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Petersburg council directs staff to pursue two interim financing lines, approves $4 million reimbursement plan for police vehicles

Council adopts $12 million in grants and approves FY26 carryforward requests