City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt the full budget that will serve as a framework for city operations from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.
The budget maintains basic city services and programs, continues to invest in the City Council’s focus areas, and moves toward closing the long-term structural deficit.
Also, the budget maintains the real estate tax at 84 cents on every $100 of assessed value. There are no new utility rate increases, but utility rate changes for places of worship that were scheduled to take effect a year ago but delayed are set to take effect in July.
Economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic remains. Staff is tracking COVID-19 costs for the potential allocation of federal emergency funds, and the City Council authorized the transfer of up to $3 million from the budget stabilization fund to cover revenue shortfalls.
The budget does not include additional revenue related to historical horse racing or casino gaming because much of that is unknown at this time. Last November, the citizens of Danville voted to approve pari-mutuel wagering or off-site historical horse racing, but Colonial Downs has not established a location in Danville. The General Assembly has adopted legislation to allow Danville to hold a referendum this November on whether to allow casino gaming in the city.
Several other matters were on the agenda Tuesday night. City Council voted to:
- Sell the Pinnacles Hydroelectric complex to Northbrook Energy for $8.2 million, and purchase the energy, capacity and renewable energy credits from the facility.
- Accept nearly $2.3 million in federal CARES Act money for eligible operating expenses for the mass transit system.
- Accept $110,452 in federal funding to assist in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus.
- Adopt changes to the personnel system.
- Approve an agreement with the City of Eden for water and wastewater services for the Southern Virginia Mega Site at Berry Hill,
- Designate areas at the Carrington Pavilion as a no-smoking area.
- Fill seats to various boards and commissions, including the Utility Commission, Airport Commission, and Social Services Advisory Board.
Also, Mayor Alonzo Jones issued certificates of recognition to City Council members Fred Shanks and Adam Tomer for their service on City Council. Both are leaving the City Council at the end of the month. Shanks lost last month in his bid for re-election. Tomer announced last month that he is resigning his position on the City Council this week, saying in a statement that he has accepted a job elsewhere that will not allow him “the time or ability to serve the citizens of Danville.”