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Poquoson budget work session: state emergency management grant cut reduces revenue by $19,800; public commenter urges joining regional soil-and-water program
Summary
Finance staff reported a $19,800 reduction in a state emergency-management grant in the proposed FY2026 budget, and a public commenter urged the city to pursue a partnership enabling residents to access a soil-and-water conservation cost-share program.
City finance staff told the Poquoson City Council that a Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) grant commonly used for radiological-emergency preparedness was reduced in the proposed fiscal 2026 budget from $20,500 to $700, a $19,800 decrease that reduces state revenue and the corresponding public-safety expenditure line by the same amount.
Tara Woodruff, the city’s finance director, said the reduction reflects that the city had been noted as a host for radiological services in prior years but does not host such services now. The change lowers the general-fund revenue total presented in the packet; staff said there are no other changes at this time and reminded council that the state budget remained unsettled and could produce additional adjustments.
Council members were also told the recommended budget includes no tax-rate increase; a councilor clarified that property taxes due by individual homeowners may still change if assessed property values change.
During the meeting’s public-comment period, Noel Talcott asked council to include funding to allow Poquoson to partner with the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District so city residents could access Virginia’s conservation-assistance program. Talcott said cities that have entered memorandums of understanding with the district enable residents to receive design assistance and cost-sharing for erosion control, living shorelines, drainage, and other best-management-practice (BMP) projects; he said the program can provide cost-share awards in some cases up to $50,000.
City staff confirmed that funding to pursue a partnership was included in the proposed budget packet and that Assistant City Manager Tanya O’Connell had followed up on the suggestion after Talcott raised it at a pre-budget meeting in January. Talcott recommended the council invite a representative from the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District to present to council so residents could learn more about program benefits and eligibility.
The budget work session produced no formal changes beyond the single grant adjustment; staff said the schools’ budget remained pending action by the state and that budget adoption is scheduled at a future meeting.
