March 27, 2026 – The Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget was presented to Staunton City Council during the regular meeting on March 26, 2026 in Rita S. Wilson Council Chambers. City Manager Leslie Beauregard and Chief Finance Officer Jessie Moyers outlined the makeup of the entire city budget including her recommendations for expenditures and revenue projections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, ending June 30, 2027. The presentation slides are available along with a live video recording of the presentation.
The Proposed Budget is $168.5 million for all funds, which is an increase of $4 million over the adopted FY 2026 budget. Almost half of the total budget is the General Fund, proposed at $83.3 million, a $3.5 million increase over FY 2026.
The proposed budget holds the real estate tax rate at $.91 per $100 of assessed value and maintains the personal property, meals, and lodging tax rates.
“The FY 2027 Proposed Budget balances Council’s top priorities and community input with the need to sustain essential services and preserve flexibility for the unexpected,” said City Manager Leslie Beauregard. “Following a year where projects like the Downtown Tunnel repairs required immediate response, this budget focuses on proactive, long-term strategies for our infrastructure and economic resiliency.”
Significant Themes of the FY 2027 Proposed Budget:
- This budget fully funds Staunton City Schools. There is $1.46 million in additional funding for City Schools, a 7.7 percent increase from FY 2026, honoring the funding formula approved in 2022.
- In response to resident feedback from the Community Survey, the budget prioritizes aging infrastructure. Proposed fee increases in the Water (5.42%), Sewer (7.14%), and Environmental (15%) funds will support millions of dollars in long-term capital needs.
- This budget continues to set aside four reserve funds.Three were established in the FY 2024 budget, each equivalent to one cent on the 2023 real estate tax rate, for three key City Council priorities: Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan, West End revitalization, and the Staunton Library’s building and space needs.The fourth was established in FY 2026 and is designated for infrastructure, the first project being the repair of the creek tunnels and streets on Byers, New and Johnson Streets.
- The budget continues to focus on the city’s commitment to ensuring that pay for employees is and remains competitive.
- This budget provides stability in city services.
- The budget incorporates a $250,000 federal grant for the Economic Mobility and Opportunity initiative and increases Enterprise Zone incentives to $50,000 to support local business growth.
- The proposed budget funds, at a cost of $12,292, the extension of the Gypsy Hill Park and Montgomery Hall Park pool seasons, through Labor Day weekend, dependent on securing and the availability of lifeguards and staff.With the opening of a new pool house, it was appropriate to try to extend the season, which has not been able to happen for the past several years due to lack of staffing.
- Unfunded departmental operations requests for FY 2027 total over $1.45 million, which mainly consist of new equipment costs. There is $1.2 million in unfunded personnel related requests.
There will be multiple work sessions and public hearings throughout the budget process giving community members many opportunities to provide comment. The work sessions and public hearings are listed below:
Thursday, April 2
- 5:00 p.m., budget & capital improvement plan work session
Thursday, April 9
- 5:00 p.m., budget work session (includes joint work session with City Schools)
- 7:00 p.m., public hearing on all budget ordinances
Thursday, April 23
- 5:00 p.m., budget work session
- 7:00 p.m., consideration by City Council of the FY 2027 budget and FY 2027-2031 capital improvement plan
The public is encouraged to participate in the budget process in various ways:
Additional information on the budget can be found by visiting the city’s website at www.ci.staunton.va.us/budget.
