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Residents sharply criticize council budget plan during extended public comment; recall and legal concerns raised
Summary
Multiple residents used the citizen‑business portion to denounce the council majority's budget approach, warn of fiscal harm from proposed utility cuts, urge protecting police staffing, and say recall evidence is under review by the Commonwealth’s attorney.
A large group of residents addressed the council during the citizen‑comment period, criticizing recent council actions and the proposed FY26 budget framework. Speakers urged the council not to cut public‑safety funding or staff positions, said repeated rate reductions would force larger future increases, and called for more transparent processes.
One speaker identified himself as Brian Morgan and said the Commonwealth’s attorney for Stafford County had the evidence in a recall-related submission and was reviewing the materials. Others suggested alternatives: maintain utility rates and create a hardship assistance fund, preserve economic‑development staff and positions on the planning team, and avoid recurring transfers of meals tax to utilities as policy.
Remarks included direct appeals to council members and chastisements of the majority for perceived nontransparency. Multiple speakers named the “gang of four” and urged the council not to proceed with policies they said would undermine the town’s finances and services. Several commenters requested strategic planning sessions and emphasized protecting town staff.
