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Roanoke County advances first readings of 2026–27 budget ordinances, schedules May 26 votes
Summary
On May 12, 2026 the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors approved first readings of the operating, capital and school budget ordinances, and advanced ordinances to recognize state funds and employee bonuses; second readings were scheduled for May 26.
Roanoke County supervisors on Tuesday advanced the first readings of multiple budget-related ordinances for fiscal year 2026–27, scheduling the required second readings for May 26.
Steve Elliott, the county’s budget administrator, told the Board of Supervisors the general government total has not changed since the budget was proposed March 24 but certain line items were revised pending the state biennial budget. The board approved the first reading of the operating budget ordinance and the accompanying step plans and pay bands by roll call vote.
The board also approved the first reading of the capital budget ordinance, which the motion record lists at $15,077,110 for capital projects, and approved a separate first reading to appropriate funds for Roanoke County Public Schools categories. All first readings were approved on a voice/roll-call basis and moved to a second reading on May 26.
School finance and employee-pay items: Susan Peterson, director of finance for Roanoke County Public Schools, asked the board to amend the budget to appropriate approximately $1,509,502 in new state money tied to a state employee bonus; Peterson said the total cost of the school portion of the bonus program is about $3.3 million including FICA and local payroll lines will cover the remaining local share. The board approved the ordinance’s first reading and scheduled it for a second reading on May 26.
Laurie Gearhart, the county’s chief financial officer, outlined a companion county ordinance to authorize employee bonuses in the amount of about $1,503,009 to be funded by Commonwealth reimbursements and local revenues. Gearhart said the 2026 General Assembly approved a 2% bonus for state-supported local positions and recommended payments be made June 18; part-time employees meeting specified hours would receive a $250 bonus. The board approved the first reading and set a second reading date.
A separate line on the agenda recognized a presentation from Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV). Scott Ramsburg, RVTV director, summarized RVTV output — citing 51 hours of produced content, 84 live-streamed meetings and an estimated service value of about $2,500,000 — and the board approved the FY26–27 RVTV operating request as presented.
Votes at a glance: all first-reading motions above were approved by the board at the May 12 meeting and scheduled for second readings on May 26.
What’s next: staff will return with updated ordinances and the board will take final votes on the matters at the May 26 meeting, as required by county ordinance procedures.
