Town budget update: sewer project payments, EPA waiver, USDA generator estimate

Town Manager Bryce Simmons presented the Town’s monthly financial report on July 15, summarizing cash on hand and year‑to‑date expenditures. The report showed an apparent FY2026 shortfall of about $148,000; Simmons explained the figure included an unbudgeted $130,000 payment to the Virginia Retirement System and a $491,000 project payment that had not yet been reimbursed. Accounting for approximately $350,000 in outstanding reimbursements, Simmons said the Town ended the fiscal year favorably by roughly $150,000. All figures are unaudited and subject to reconciliation.

Simmons provided project updates: the Filter Backwash and Sewer Outfall project is a $1.7 million design/construction effort due to be completed by September, with the directional bore beneath the river representing about $600,000 of the project cost and the contractor approximately one‑half complete. The EPA Community Project Grant kickoff was held June 18 and EPA approved the Town’s local cost‑share waiver request for the Sewer Equalization and Reclamation design, reducing local out‑of‑pocket costs. The USDA generator project budget has been revised and is under review at USDA national office, estimated at approximately $1.4 million for emergency generators at the water and sewer plants.

Simmons also reported operational items: a new meter‑reading mobile application has been developed and imported into Town systems; the Community Coordinator position has been re‑advertised with ten applications received; and the DEQ Order by Consent is in advertisement phase with the civil charge not due until finalization.