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Pearisburg council hears public concerns as Finance Committee outlines FY2027 budget and utility rate plans
Summary
Finance Committee Chair Kristi Eaton presented the proposed FY2026–2027 budget, citing infrastructure, workforce, and reserve priorities and a half-penny real estate tax-rate adjustment tied to county reassessment; residents at a public hearing warned of added burdens and asked for more budget detail and transparency.
The Pearisburg Town Council on June 9 heard public comments on the proposed FY2026–2027 budget and planned water and sewer rate adjustments after Finance Committee Chair Vice Mayor Kristi Eaton presented the committee’s recommendations.
Eaton said the budget focuses on infrastructure improvements, workforce investment and maintaining sustainable revenues. She explained a proposed half‑penny adjustment to the town’s real estate tax rate tied to a recent Giles County reassessment and described proposed water and sewer rate increases as measures to offset rising operating costs and preserve the systems’ long‑term viability.
The proposal, Eaton said, also relies on reserve balances built in part from prior American Rescue Plan Act funds and on maintaining reserve levels recommended by previously contracted financial advisers to respond to emergencies and qualify for grants.
At the public hearing, residents urged caution. Ricky McCoy said he had met with the Town Manager and asked Council to reconsider or further reduce the proposed tax change. Brandon Steele thanked staff but warned increased taxes and higher utility bills would strain residents on limited incomes and questioned some contingency spending in the proposal. Peter Deighan urged consideration of a smaller increase; Jim Bronnenkant suggested exploring cost‑saving options such as renewable energy; Kenneth Wright asked for more detailed spending plans tied to the additional revenue; and Bobby Smith raised concerns about the effect on property owners, including landlords.
Public Works Director Brent Atwood described decades‑old utility lines and rising repair and treatment costs, saying investment is needed to keep services reliable and protect worker safety.
Council did not adopt the full budget at the meeting; the town held the required public hearings and received committee reports and citizen input. Council members thanked attendees and closed the hearings. The Finance Committee earlier recommended two budget adjustments (Budget Amendment FY2026‑10 and Transfer of Appropriations FY2026‑02), which the council approved during the meeting as part of routine committee actions.
Next steps: the council will consider final budget action in the council’s regular adoption process after completing required notices and reviews, consistent with the normal local budget timetable.
