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Tazewell manager previews budget: Aqua Park upgrades, paving plan and use of ARPA funds
Summary
Town manager outlined proposed budget priorities including Aqua Park equipment replacements, a force‑account paving plan to reduce costs, use of ARPA reimbursement to free operating funds and a proposed modest garbage fee increase to close budget gaps.
At a Feb. 11 council meeting, the Town Manager (Leanne) walked council through a preliminary budget that prioritizes safety and maintenance while seeking ways to reduce contracted costs.
The manager reported Aqua Park (Octopark) repairs and upgrades are planned: the aging inflatable swing will not be reinstalled, a new circular 'Jungle Joe' play unit (estimated near $50,000) will replace a large unit removed last year, and a new slide and walkways were sourced. She said an inflatable lifeguard stand has been ordered to improve guard sightlines and response times but may not arrive in time for the park’s opening weekend on May 24.
On paving, staff described a three‑phase Route 460 project previously proposed to VDOT. Rather than rely solely on outside contractors or wait for uncertain VDOT timing, staff proposed a force‑account approach that would allow town crews to perform much of the work and procure materials separately; the in‑house estimate for the first phase was roughly $200,000 to $250,000 with $400,000 tentatively in the draft budget for broader paving needs.
Finance issues: the manager explained that $4.2 million in ARPA funds were allocated to payroll reimbursements, freeing previously budgeted salary lines. Those freed funds were placed into a Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) that currently holds just over $2 million and generates monthly interest; the town has used portions of those funds for capital purchases such as a paver, a dump truck and a tractor.
Other budget items discussed included a proposed $1 increase to in‑town residential garbage pickup (from $14 to $15) estimated to yield about $27,000 and an out‑of‑town increase from $25 to $30 (estimated $10,000/year). The manager also proposed reinstating performance evaluations with a hybrid pay model (1.5% across‑the‑board plus a merit pool) to address staff retention and seasonal wage pressures.
Council asked for comparative rate data, clarification about grant ineligibility when fund balances are high, and follow‑up pricing for projects. Staff said detailed figures and formal budget documents will be presented at upcoming budget meetings.
Sources: Town manager’s budget presentation and council discussion at the Feb. 11 meeting.
