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Funding Included In Draft City Budget
Funding that will allow the Buena Vista public library to be open six days a week is included in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
If this funding remains in the budget, the library would no longer be closed on Fridays, as it has been since a reduction in funding that occurred during the pandemic. City Manager Jason Tyree reported this budget news at City Council’s meeting last Thursday, in response to pleas from citizens to restore funding to pre-pandemic levels.
During the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting, Jessie Whipple urged Council to fully support the library’s funding request in the upcoming budget. “The library is a unique place,” she said. “It’s open to and welcome to everyone.”
“Like infrastructure, people depend on the library,” said Rishi Richardson. “It makes us a stronger community.”
“Libraries are essential for a thriving community,” wrote Sherri Wheeler, a Buena Vista resident who serves on the Rockbridge Regional Library board of trustees, in a letter to City Council read by Tyree. “I beg you to please consider our funding needs as you prepare the budget for the upcoming year to include funds to reopen [the library] on Fridays.”
City funding for the library of $193,810, which would be an increase of $46,483, or 31.6 percent, over the current year, is included in the draft budget for next year.
Council member Todd Jones, a member of Council’s finance committee, reported the draft budget is now balanced as the committee awaits word on reassessments that are nearing completion. He said he understands that reassessments are pushing property values up by an average of 40 percent, which will necessitate a reduction in the tax rate, if Council is to hold with its plans to not raise taxes for next year.
Jones said the budget committee had reduced the funding request from the police department, while emphasizing that the committee is supportive of of Police Chief Wayne Handley “efforts and visions” for the city police force. The current draft budget calls for two new police officer positions, rather than the six that were requested.
The draft budget includes a local funding increase for the schools of $114,690, which would represent an increase of 4.8 percent. The division had requested an increase of $223,809, or 8.3 percent.
The city and division are still awaiting word on state funding. A special session of the General Assembly is to be held to finalize a state budget.
