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Pearisburg council adopts FY 2026-2027 budget amid split vote; one member abstains
Summary
The Pearisburg Town Council approved the FY 2026-2027 budget on June 17, 2026; the measure passed 5–1 with one abstention. Public comment raised questions about long-term infrastructure funding and tax history.
The Pearisburg Town Council approved its FY 2026-2027 budget at a special called meeting June 17 after a period of public input and staff review. The motion to adopt the proposed budget carried with five yes votes, one no and one abstention.
Cathy Clark moved to approve and adopt the proposed FY 2026-2027 Budget; Amanda Davis seconded. Voting yes were Mayor Robert Dickerson, Vice Mayor Kristi Eaton, Councilmembers Cathy Clark, Amanda Davis and Eric Sharp. Councilmember Gary Fields voted no, and Councilmember Zach Smith abstained due to a potential conflict under the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act; Smith said his abstention should not be interpreted as a lack of integrity and that he disagreed with the amount of the proposed tax rate.
During public comment, Ken Weidman of 710 High Street asked for clarification about prior meeting statements on the budget, noting “there had been no significant tax increases over the past ten years” and emphasizing the town’s aging terra cotta infrastructure; the mayor and vice mayor responded describing months of planning, committee review, contingency funding and adjustments to revenue sources such as cigarette, transient occupancy, and meals taxes to address future needs.
Councilmembers and staff framed the adopted budget as the result of months of planning, committee work and public input and said it includes contingency funding for emergencies and capital needs. The council did not detail a further tax-rate reduction plan in the meeting record; Councilmember Fields said he preferred a more gradual approach in light of recent reassessment increases.
The budget adoption was a formal vote recorded in the meeting minutes; related implementation steps or departmental allocations were not detailed in the minutes beyond the adoption vote.
