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Roanoke council adopts 2026 legislative program, separately approves schools' 1% sales-tax referendum request
Summary
Council approved the city's 2026 legislative program and a separate schools portion that supports a 1% sales-tax referendum for school construction; two council members recused themselves from the school portion vote and their recusal statements were entered into the record.
The Roanoke City Council on Dec. 1 adopted its 2026 legislative program and separately approved a schools portion that supports legislation for a referendum to increase the sales tax by 1% for school construction.
Vice Mayor Stephen Terry McGuire, chair of the legislative committee, explained the two-resolution approach: splitting the schools portion allows the full council to vote on the city's general legislative priorities while two members who are school employees refrain from voting where the school-specific items are considered. "I will refrain from participation in this matter," Vice Mayor McGuire said in a formal recusal, citing Virginia Code Section 2.2-3112; Councilwoman Vivian Sanchez Jones made a similar recusal statement.
Council voted to adopt the city's legislative program and then adopted the schools portion, which includes support for the school board's request to seek a referendum on a 1% sales-tax increase dedicated to school construction. The clerk called the roll for each resolution, and both measures were adopted by majority vote. Council members discussed the procedural reasons for separate votes and asked for clarification that the split preserves the city's overall legislative message while allowing recusal where necessary.
The council requested staff transmit the adopted positions to the city's legislative liaison and to the delegation to advocate during the 2026 General Assembly session.
