By Taylor Boyd
The Stuart Town Council heard an update on its mid-fiscal-year 2026 budget at its Wednesday, Jan. 21, meeting.
Town Manager Bryce Simmons said the town remains in a stable financial position, with solid cash reserves and a manageable debt profile at the halfway point of the fiscal year.
“Currently, we are at sort of a break even. What we have come in is what we have going out. I think our net position right now is about $153,000,” he said.
Simmons said the town’s general fund is healthy, its water fund is stable, and its sewer fund is probably the most efficient. He said that was notable because when he began working for the town, the sewer fund was lower than the water fund.
“I have never, ever, ever seen another municipality that their sewer fund was less than their water fund because it’s much more expensive to treat wastewater than it is to treat water. It’s really energy intensive, it is very chemical intensive, and it’s just a much harder process from both a chemical and an engineering standpoint,” he said.
Simmons said issues in the town’s sanitation budget stem from ongoing maintenance problems with its garbage trucks.
“Which we continue to have issues with. Our old garbage truck, I learned today that the fuel pump went out, so that’s going to be about a $2,500 fix just for the pump itself,” he said.
However, Simmons said the sanitation budget is expected to decrease due to the retirement of a longtime employee, which will reduce wage costs associated with that position.
“In conclusion I do think that an evaluation of all the town utility rates, which includes the town and the PSA (Public Service Authority), to ensure long-term cost recovery and we need to really start looking at our maintenance costs closer,” Simmons said.
In other matters, the council:
• Heard an introduction from Patrick County Administrator Michael McGuinness.
• Heard the 2025 review from Stuart Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Austin Bryant.
• Heard from Patrick County Economic Development and Tourism Director James Houchins about the VA250 celebrations.
• Approved paying for two half-page ads for the Patrick County magazine.
• Approved continuing the town’s membership with the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce.
• Discussed a draft letter for the Landmark Drive road transfer.
• Heard an update on unsafe structures in town.
• Heard an update on the Stuart Downtown Revitalization project.
• Discussed the town’s employee hiring plan.
• Approved the updated employee handbook.
• Heard an update on public works projects.
• Approved the Dec. 17 meeting minutes.
• Paid the bills.
Council member Erica Wade did not attend the meeting.
