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Harrisonburg council adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets real-estate tax rate at $1.01; several projects approved
Summary
Council voted to set the real-estate tax rate at $1.01 per $100 of assessed value and adopted the city FY2025–26 appropriation ordinance. The meeting also approved the 2025 CDBG action plan, a Vine Street roadside memorial, use of Softly Farm for a stormwater tree-planting BMP, and several capital funding adjustments.
Harrisonburg City Council set the fiscal year 2025–26 real-estate tax rate at $1.01 per $100 of assessed value and adopted the FY2025–26 appropriation ordinance at its May 27 meeting.
The tax-rate motion passed by roll call after staff noted a 5.9% increase in assessed values that triggered a state-code public hearing requirement. Council emphasized that the rate-setting action holds the city rate steady rather than raising taxes, despite assessment growth. After the public hearing concluded with no speakers, council voted to adopt the $1.01 rate.
Council also approved the city Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan for 2025. Kristen McComb, the city CDBG program manager, told council the allocation is $512,366 plus approximately $108,600 in prior-year unspent funding, for a total of about $620,966. The selection committee recommended $140,000 for Habitat for Humanity critical home repairs, partial funding for three city department property-improvement projects (playground replacement at Hillandale Park, an ADA sidewalk at Westover Park, and basketball goal replacements at Ralph Sampson Park), and full funding for two public-service applicants (the ARC and Meals on Wheels). Council approved the action plan by roll call.
On other formal items, council approved a Vine Street roadside memorial in line with the statewide VDOT roadside memorial program; authorized the use of a portion of city-owned Softly Farm as a stormwater best-management-practice (tree-planting land conversion) to meet MS4/TMDL nutrient-reduction obligations; and adopted supplemental capital appropriations and a reallocation to cover project cost adjustments (including funds from James Madison University and VDOT revenue-sharing and a $67,000 reallocation covering unexpected rock in a Mount Clinton Pike project). All votes were recorded by roll call.
No ballot tallies in the minutes recorded any defeats for these items; city staff noted each measure carried on affirmative roll-call votes.
