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Staunton adopts $168.7 million FY2027 budget; water, sewer and trash fees to rise
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Summary
Council adopted a $168,670,911 FY2027 budget and approved fee increases that raise the water rate to $4.28/100 cu ft, sewer to $6.00/100 cu ft and residential refuse fees to $27.50 monthly; the hazardous-duty multiplier for first responders was implemented.
Staunton City Council on April 23 unanimously adopted the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget and approved increases to utility and refuse fees that city staff said are intended to provide steady, predictable revenue for enterprise services.
CFO Jesse Moyers presented the final numbers before the vote. The total FY2027 budget totals $168,670,911, which staff said is roughly a 2.51% increase over the prior year; the general fund portion is $83,470,001.50, a reported 4.59% increase. Moyers outlined changes since the proposed budget and said enterprise-fund adjustments include a water rate increase from $4.06 to $4.28 per 100 cubic feet (a 5.42% rise) and a sewer rate increase from $5.60 to $6.00 per 100 cubic feet (7.14%). He told council the water rate change would produce about $222,000 in additional revenue and the sewer change about $300,000.
Moyers also presented residential solid-waste fee changes: the monthly residential fee will increase to $27.50 per month (reported as a 14.54% change), with corresponding increases for light and heavy commercial customers and special pickups. He summarized Augusta Regional Landfill proposed tipping-fee increases (commercial tonnage and yard waste) that require joint approval with regional partners.
Council discussed use of recent VRS (Virginia Retirement System) rate changes to implement a hazardous-duty multiplier (1.85%) for first responders; Moyers said the change adds roughly $150,000 in general-fund adjustments to implement the multiplier and that the overall effect on rates was considered in the budget. Councilor discussion emphasized predictable, smaller annual increases rather than infrequent large jumps; Moyers said prior to two years ago some fees had not changed for more than a decade.
After discussion the council unanimously adopted ordinances amending water, sewer, refuse and landfill rates effective July 1, 2026, and then voted to adopt the FY2027 budget and capital improvements plan.
