South Hill Council reviews FY26-27 budget, defers parks decisions and requests more information from Chamber

The South Hill Town Council met for a work session on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to review the town's proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget. Mayor Mike Moody called the session to order at 3:00 p.m., and Town Clerk Leanne Feather recorded the proceedings at the temporary Council Chambers on 111 E. Danville Street.

Councilors and staff reviewed an agenda that listed a series of community organizations and programs for consideration as part of the budget process, including the Mecklenburg–Brunswick Regional Airport; the South Hill Community Development Association; the Southside Rescue Squad; the South Hill Chamber of Commerce; The Colonial Center; the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department; the South Hill Bread Box; the Lake Country Area Agency on Aging; the Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership; the South Hill Revitalization Committee; the Southern Virginia Food Hub/South Hill Farmers Market; The Bailey Center; and the Mecklenburg County Senior Citizens Center. The agenda materials and proposed budget details had been distributed to Council prior to the meeting.

Town Manager Keli Reekes and Director of Finance and Administration Dahlis Morrow were present while Council reviewed community development and budget materials. The agenda was amended during the session to add presentations by Chief of Police Ryan Durham and Parks, Facilities and Grounds Superintendent Jason Houchins; both were listed as presenting budget requests. Council discussed but did not finalize park-related requests and decided to defer those decisions until all departments have completed their presentations at a future work session.

Minutes record that funding requests from several community organizations were reviewed but that Council asked for additional information from the South Hill Chamber of Commerce before reaching any consensus on that group’s request. The minutes do not list funding amounts, recommended allocations, or final decisions for any of the organizations under consideration.

The record notes that no public comment was received during the session and that no formal votes or motions were taken. Councilor Michael Smith is recorded as having departed the meeting early; Councilors Lillie Feggins-Boone and Delores Luster were absent. Mayor Moody adjourned the work session at 5:29 p.m. The minutes were later approved on April 13, 2026, by Town Clerk Leanne Feather and Mayor W.M. Moody.

Next steps: additional departmental presentations and follow-up information from the South Hill Chamber of Commerce are expected before Council takes formal budget votes in subsequent meetings.