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Onley council adopts 2024–25 budget and approves 3.5% employee pay increase
Summary
At a June 27 special meeting, the Onley Town Council adopted the 2024–2025 budget, approved several re-appropriations including ARPA and McMath Park, and voted to give all employees a 3.5% raise effective July 1, 2024; two council members registered dissent on separate items.
Onley — The Onley Town Council on June 27 adopted its 2024–2025 proposed budget and approved several re-appropriations, and the council voted to provide a 3.5% salary increase for all town employees effective July 1, 2024.
Council member Brian Corbin, who voted against adopting the proposed budget, told colleagues he objected to moving away from the prior budget framework at this late stage. Corbin said the town has a number of known projects — playground equipment, a new public works garage, a new town hall, holiday decorations, a tax-relief gift-card program and plans to hire a fifth police officer — and that historically the town has used conservative revenue estimates and higher expense estimates to avoid shortfalls. Mayor Ned Finney said he appreciated Corbin’s point but that it was too late to revert to the previous budget.
Councilmember Bill Ferguson noted the council could amend the budget later if adjustments were needed. After discussion, the motion to adopt the proposed 2024–2025 budget passed by roll call (Bloxom yes; Corbin no; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes).
The council also voted to re-appropriate federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and to adopt the McMath Park re-appropriation. Both measures passed on roll-call votes with all members present voting in favor and one member absent.
Separately, councilmember Brian Corbin moved and Rodney Lang seconded adoption of a re-appropriation for construction of a new town office; that measure also passed by roll call.
On employee compensation, council members debated whether to use cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), merit-based raises, or both. Corbin argued for a 3.5% COLA while suggesting the 1.5% budgeted for merit increases be conserved; Rodney Lang agreed. Councilmember Woody Zember said he believed employees deserved a 5% increase and explained he voted against the 3.5% motion on that basis. Clerk/Treasurer Jamye Salazar noted that higher salaries affect Virginia Retirement System (VRS) contributions because employer retirement payments are based on salary.
Motion to give all employees a 3.5% salary increase effective July 1, 2024, passed by roll call (Bloxom yes; Corbin yes; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember no). The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Votes at a glance: adopted items and roll-call outcomes — Proposed 2024–2025 Budget: passed (Bloxom yes; Corbin no; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes). ARPA Funds re-appropriation: passed (Bloxom yes; Corbin yes; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes). McMath Park re-appropriation: passed (Bloxom yes; Corbin yes; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes). New Town Office construction re-appropriation: passed (Bloxom yes; Corbin yes; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes). Employee pay increase (3.5% effective July 1, 2024): passed (Bloxom yes; Corbin yes; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember no).
Next steps: The adopted budgets and the salary increase can be amended by future council action; no additional implementation dates were specified in the meeting record.
