Interim city manager warns of cash‑flow timing, schedules Feb. 18 work session on finances

Interim City Manager Craig Meadows told the Radford City Council on Jan. 27 that the city’s cash position is positive but that timing and large utility bills have created a strain that requires an accelerated planning process.

Meadows said the city held roughly $2.9 million in cash when the city paid bills last week but is working through several months of outstanding AEP utility bills. He said other payables are current and that the city expects to pay a December schools request by the end of the month. Meadows cautioned that the underlying budget structure shows multi‑year pressures that ARPA and the RAN (revenue anticipation note) have masked.

Meadows told the council he has met with auditors and finance staff and recommended a work session to present findings and a plan. Council agreed to schedule a work session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and asked staff (treasurer, finance director, auditors) to attend. The council also intends to schedule the audit presentation for the second council meeting in February.

Meadows said addressing the revenue anticipation note due June 30 is a near‑term priority and that budget discussions for FY26 should begin immediately. He described staffing and system issues between the treasurer’s office and the Munis‑based finance system and said bringing systems and communication into alignment is a priority.

Council members stressed the need for transparent and shared financial information across boards and departments and asked that outside boards sending budget requests also copy Meadows for early review. Meadows described the work as difficult but solvable and said he would present recommendations at the Feb. 18 work session.

Notes: Meadows holds a six‑month interim appointment; council indicated it will review the permanent city manager job description in February and begin recruitment planning if necessary.