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Roanoke council adopts election-day free transit, opioid fund correction and personnel appointments
Summary
Roanoke City Council on Monday approved a resolution supporting fare-free Valley Metro service on Election Day, corrected a budget account number in its FY26 opioid-abatement appropriation, reappointed two economic development authority directors and adopted a corrected council code of ethics and conduct.
Roanoke City Council on Monday approved a package of routine measures including a resolution endorsing fare-free bus service on Election Day, a correction to the city's opioid-abatement appropriation for fiscal 2026, two reappointments to the Economic Development Authority and a corrected council code of ethics and conduct.
The council said the fare-free election-day action affirms the Greater Roanoke Transit Company's decision to make all Valley Metro routes free on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. The city also adopted an ordinance that corrects a budget account number tied to previously approved Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority funds for FY26. Council voted to reappoint two directors to the Economic Development Authority and adopted a corrected version of the proposed code of ethics and conduct after a clerical correction.
Why it matters: The Election Day free-fare measure is intended to reduce barriers to voting by removing transit cost for riders on Nov. 4. The opioid-abatement appropriation provides legal, programmatic and matching funds for local opioid-response activities; correcting the account number ensures funds are recorded and tracked properly in the city budget.
Key actions and outcomes - Fare-free Election Day transit: Council adopted a resolution affirming Valley Metro's decision to make bus rides free on Nov. 4, 2025, and authorized the city manager to take steps to implement it. Councilman Hagen asked staff to report back on ridership figures for that day.
- Opioid-abatement funds (scrivener correction): Council repealed and replaced Ordinance No. 43230-072125 to correct a budget revenue account number for FY26 Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority funds. The ordinance appropriated $1,273,811.09 in opioid settlement funds for FY26, with a city match noted in the ordinance text. City staff said the change was strictly an accounting-number correction; no programmatic change was made.
- Code of ethics and conduct: Council approved a revised city council code of ethics and conduct after correcting a typographical error (the word "convection" was corrected to "conviction"). Councilmembers praised the document as a reminder about civility and ethical conduct.
- Economic Development Authority appointments: The council reappointed two directors (Duke Baldridge and Ollie Howie) to four-year terms on the Economic Development Authority.
How the council voted: Each vote recorded in the meeting showed the same roll-call pattern: Mr. Hagen (Aye); Ms. Sanchez Jones (Aye); Vice Mayor Maguire (Aye); Mr. Nash (Aye); Mr. Vollison (Aye); Ms. Powers (Aye); Mayor Joseph L. Cobb (Aye). The clerk read titles and called the roll for each measure.
Next steps: For the fare-free Election Day service, council asked Valley Metro to provide usage and ridership data for the day. For the opioid-abatement funds the corrected accounting will be reflected in FY26 budget tracking and reporting.
Notes: The measures were taken as part of the regular agenda after no public hearings were required; several items were handled on the consent agenda and adopted by single motions where no separate discussion was requested.
