Radford City Council voted on a series of administrative, procurement and budget items during its December open session.

Procurement: The council adopted ordinance 18-25 to repeal Chapter 80 of the city code and adopt the Virginia Public Procurement Act to keep local procurement aligned with state law.

Electric infrastructure: After staff recommended acceptance of the lowest bid, the council awarded a contract to Siemens Energy for four voltage regulators at the West Radford Commerce Park substation in the amount of $201,698.16.

Water agreement and hearing: Council scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 12, 2025 to consider proposed water-rate increases under the city’s longstanding (02/22/2010) agreement with the Pulaski County PSA.

Appointments: The council updated PJM electric-purchasing representatives to add Chief Financial Officer Trish Cox and reauthorize Ashley Wentworth as a system user. The primary appointment to Peppers Ferry was tabled while Wade Vannoy was reaffirmed as an alternate member.

Appropriations and bonuses: The council adopted a package of appropriation ordinances covering school-resource-officer (SRO) grants (two grants totaling $304,754 across the items described in the meeting), community development block grant (CDBG) funds ($166,346), appropriation of DMV funds to the treasurer’s budget, and carryover of encumbrances totaling $650,737. Separately, ordinance 18-26 appropriated $150,893 of DMV select funds to the treasurer’s office to provide one-time bonuses of $500 to full-time employees and $100 to part-time employees, excluding Radford City Department of Social Services staff; the ordinance was adopted as an emergency measure with a recorded roll-call vote in favor by council members present.

Procedure: For many items the council approved motions by voice vote and dispensed with second readings where four affirmative votes were heard. Several matters will return for formal implementation details or hearings, such as the January water-rate public hearing and forensic-audit proposal review.