City Manager Tom Carroll told council the contractor expects to pour the slab for the new Department of Social Services building the next morning, weather permitting, and that recent changes in concrete mixes required adjustments to the pour plan. “Tomorrow morning, if all goes according to plan and the weather permits, the contractor should be pouring the slab at the Department of Social Services building,” Carroll said.

Carroll explained the industry‑wide change in concrete mixes has affected timing and finishing practices and that the project remains on pace for the completion timeframe previously discussed; he said contingency funds remain for site work such as rock removal and extra fill. Carroll said a joint meeting with Rockbridge County and Buena Vista is being planned for Oct. 30 and that the three entities may conduct a site tour if the schedule allows.

Carroll also noted an invitation from the county administrator to attend a joint meeting on Sept. 17 at Maury River Middle School where an architect will present concept plans and estimates for a joint facility at Rockbridge County High School. He said any costs for county school facility changes would affect future budgets and that the city has a placeholder for FY27 in the CIP; he described the city’s anticipated share as roughly $900,000 in past planning documents but said any additional county proposals would be subject to further discussion.

Carroll announced other scheduling: a reassessment work session (consultants have mobilized) and a planned joint work session with the Board of Education before the regularly scheduled council meeting on Oct. 16. He said a stormwater work session will be scheduled when a suitable date is found.

Why it matters: the DSS project is entering a construction phase that affects schedule and contingency spending, and upcoming joint meetings and reassessment work sessions could have multi‑jurisdictional budget implications and affect future CIP timing.

Less critical details: Carroll encouraged council members to attend the Sept. 17 and Oct. 30 joint meetings if possible and promised more detailed information in weekly reports.