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Radford City Council adopts FY 2027 budget, raises real estate tax to 84¢ per $100
Summary
Radford City Council approved the FY 2027 budget and related rate ordinances, adopting a roughly $80.1 million spending plan, a 2¢ real estate tax increase (to 84¢ per $100 assessed value), a $3/1,000-gallon water increase and a 5% electric rate adjustment.
Radford City Council on second reading adopted the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget and a package of rate and fee changes, voting to raise the real estate tax levy from 82¢ to 84¢ per $100 of assessed value and approving increases to water and electric charges.
Todd, the staff presenter, told the council the budget was built around four public values: “effectiveness, efficiency, financial sustainability, and maintaining independent city status.” He said the plan is balanced on locally generated revenues and is presented without new debt; at the second reading he and the mayor cited a finalized figure of $80,135,046 (the presentation also referenced the budget in some places as about $80.1 million). Todd flagged key drivers of the plan, including a projected roughly $1.3 million loss in electric revenue after Radford University switches to its own power source and about $200,000 in lost revenue tied to Pulaski County not honoring a previously expected revenue share.
The ordinance package included three recorded items: ordinance 18-28 (real estate tax), ordinance 18-29 (FY 2026–27 rates and fees) and ordinance 18-30 (the FY 2027 budget). Council adopted ordinance 18-28 with an amendment from staff clarifying that personal property, machinery and tools and other tax rates remain unchanged while raising the real estate levy to 84¢ per $100. The council then approved ordinance 18-29, which raises the water rate by $3 per 1,000 gallons (bringing a 4,000-gallon minimum bill to $36.32) and implements a 5% electric increase involving an increase in the customer charge, along with several smaller fee adjustments (EMS standby, animal-control fees, library-room policy for nonprofits). The council completed the package by adopting ordinance 18-30, approving the FY 2027 budget as presented.
The roll calls recorded in the transcript show the real estate tax increase passed with a recorded vote of Bartra — Aye; Foster — No; Gillespie — Yes; Wolford — Yes; Mayor Horton — Yes. The rates-and-fees ordinance and the budget ordinance passed on recorded yes votes from the council members listed in the meeting record.
Council discussion mixed praise for staff with concern about long-term fiscal sustainability. One councilmember said the budget is balanced but does not do enough to restore general fund balances or to reduce transfers from enterprise funds, warning the city risks being reactive rather than preventive on infrastructure and long-term obligations. Multiple members urged a multi-year financial plan; another member urged incremental steps rather than a single large tax spike. Todd said the budget includes a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees and fully funds the schools’ required local match (identified in the presentation as $5,900,000).
Council also approved a $90,000 investment in a Lean Six Sigma continuous-improvement initiative to help departments identify and measure long-term operational savings; Todd characterized the funding as an investment to create measurable, department-level efficiency projects.
Mayor Horton closed the meeting by thanking staff and urging continued community discussion on long-term fiscal strategy and economic development opportunities that could expand the city’s revenue base. The council adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting in the coming weeks.
