Roanoke City Council approves multiple drainage, easement and tax ordinances; accepts state funding for drug prosecutor

Roanoke City Council on June 16 adopted a series of ordinances authorizing funding, property easements and amendments to city codes and tax programs, including acceptance of state funds for a multi‑jurisdictional drug prosecutor and $2.1 million in Virginia Department of Transportation local revenue sharing for two drainage projects.

The measures, all approved by roll call, covered four infrastructure actions — temporary construction easements for sidewalk work on Williamson Road and drainage improvements on Kirk Avenue, VDOT local revenue sharing to support Melrose Avenue Crossing and the Jefferson Tunnel stormwater work — plus a budget appropriations ordinance, an amendment to the procurement code and revisions to the city's real estate tax exemption program that add a hotel abatement option.

The council approved an ordinance authorizing the city to accept funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia's Compensation Board for a multi‑jurisdictional special drug prosecutor for fiscal year 2026. The measure was moved by Councilman Lisonbee and seconded by Councilman Faydon Nash; the recorded roll call was Nicholas S. Hagen—aye, Vice Mayor Terry Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Councilman Vollison—aye and Mayor Joseph L. Cobb—aye.

Council also authorized the city to acquire temporary construction easements from three private property owners along Williamson Road Northwest to allow crews to install sidewalks where none exist. The motion to adopt that ordinance was moved by Councilman Boleson and seconded by Nash; the same five council members voted aye.

The city accepted $2,100,000 in VDOT local revenue sharing funds to support two stormwater drainage improvement projects at Melrose Avenue Crossing and the…