Bristol council advances $95.3 million fiscal 2025–26 budget in first reading; second reading set for May 27

The Bristol Virginia City Council on May 13 held the first reading of the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2025–26 and advanced the measure by a 4–1 vote. The ordinance sets appropriations across multiple funds, with the general fund read into the record at $95,298,016.

City Manager Randy told council the manager submitted the annual budget estimate on April 8 and noted a single change to be made during first reading: an increase to the library’s joint operating expense of $9,482 offset by a $9,482 decrease in contingency to cover insurance increases. Randy also said at least one additional change will be presented at the next meeting as staff finalize numbers.

Council discussion praised staff for work on raises and targeted compensation adjustments. The transcript records a 3% across-the-board raise for city employees and additional raises for first responders included in the proposal. One councilor described the budget as containing “a lot of good” but stated opposition to the overall package on the grounds that the city should have an independent city attorney separate from the city manager; that councilor (Pollard) cast the lone no vote on first reading.

The ordinance’s other appropriation figures read into the record during the meeting included (excerpted): community development block grant fund $321,000; local funded capital projects fund $2,506,845; state and federal funded capital projects $7,986,590; school operating fund $49,212,323; school textbook fund $1,245,663; school nutrition fund $2,985,174; and others. The council set May 27, 2025, for the second and final reading.