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Public hearing: Arcadia Project and Talking Book Center urge one-time city support during FY26 budget review
Summary
Speakers at the FY26 budget public hearing asked council for one-time support to help unlock larger grants and to sustain local services: Arcadia Project requested $30,000 to preserve a $1.6 million state grant, and the Talking Book Center asked council to maintain a proposed $4,000 allotment.
During the April 10 public hearing on the proposed FY26 budget, several citizens asked council to use one-time or discretionary funds to support outside agencies and cultural projects that did not receive allocations in the proposed budget.
Elizabeth Respus, president of the Arcadia Project board, asked council to include a $30,000 appropriation in the FY26 budget to help the nonprofit leverage a $1,600,000 state ARPA grant she said must be spent by the end of 2026. "Your approval of our $30,000 request will serve as a strong indication to others that you recognize the value of reopening the historic city landmark," Respus said, describing the proposed uses of the restored theater for live music, film, classes, rentals and community programming.
Multiple other speakers, including Arcadia board treasurer Stanley Grama and former board president Thomas Wagner, emphasized that the nonprofit has cleared many development hurdles and that a municipal contribution could unlock additional private donors. The Arcadia board said it is about 73% toward its private fundraising goal and called the city contribution a one-time match that would preserve the state grant.
Randolph Burton, speaking as a board member of the Talking Book Center, urged council to retain the proposed $4,000 contribution for the center, which provides recorded books and related services for blind and visually impaired residents. Burton read self-reported patron feedback showing daily usage and high satisfaction; he described the local contribution as a modest but critical part of a service that supports multiple jurisdictions in the Upper Shenandoah Valley.
Other speakers raised affordability concerns about a tax-rate increase and urged caution in balancing cultural investments with the needs of long-time residents. Nikki West, a downtown business owner, asked council to consider the implications of higher property taxes on residents and small businesses.
Councilors acknowledged the public testimony while noting that the council has a $50,000 discretionary fund available and that some members favored one-time support for new agencies rather than ongoing commitments. Council asked staff to return with criteria and options for allocating discretionary funds to outside agencies before final adoption.
