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Charlottesville council adopts utility rates, extends rental‑assistance grant and advances housing awards
Summary
Council approved an ordinance updating FY27 utility rates (4–0), directed staff to repurpose $300,000 originally scoped for BP carbon offsets to locally based emissions‑reduction options, extended the CISRAP grant through Sept. 30, 2026 (4–0), and took first reading of FY27 HOPS grant allocations to 13 nonprofit programs (final adoption July 20).
Charlottesville City Council adopted several budget and grant items during its June meeting, including a second‑reading ordinance updating FY27 utility rates and service fees, and a resolution extending the Charlottesville Supplemental Rental Assistance Program (CISRAP) grant.
Chris Cullin, director of finance, summarized the ordinance to amend and reordain City Code chapter 31 to set new rates for water, wastewater, natural gas and stormwater for FY27. Council confirmed a prior consensus not to renew a one‑year contract with BP for carbon offsets; Cullin said staff recommends the $300,000 that had been slated for that contract be redirected to explore responsible, locally based alternatives to mitigate gas‑utility emissions. The ordinance was adopted on second reading by a 4–0 vote.
Maline Metsler, housing senior planner, asked council to adopt a resolution extending time for performance under an amended grant agreement for CISRAP through Sept. 30, 2026. The extension will allow staff, CRA, and partners to translate evaluation findings into policy and operational changes; staff said no additional funds are required to maintain assistance during the extension. Council adopted the resolution 4–0.
Staff also presented recommendations from the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund Committee for FY27 Housing Operations and Program Support (HOPS) grants totaling $575,000 to support 13 programs (day shelter operations, homeownership readiness, permanent supportive housing, emergency shelter and eviction prevention among them). Requests totaled roughly $1.4 million; council held the formal vote over to July 20 so staff can incorporate final adjustments and member input.
Council also endorsed two Smart Scale transportation funding applications (a city application for West Main & Ridge and an Albemarle MO application for Barracks Road/Route 250 ramp improvements). The West Main & Ridge endorsement included a council request that staff scope a city‑sponsored demonstration project to test key traffic changes in advance of any permanent work; endorsement passed 3–1. The Albemarle MO application passed 4–0.
