The Stuart Town Council will hold a public hearing on May 21 to gain input on its proposed fiscal year 2025-26 spending plan.
While the town always tries to run a zero budget, Town Manager Bryce Simmons explained at the April 16 meeting that the budget is slightly up from last year, with a total of $2,208,114 for revenues and expenditures.
“We do have a projected project budget, which includes grants and passthrough funds, of $4,424,472,” he said.
Simmons said he added funds back into the budget for reimbursements for the Patrick County façade grant program. These funds will cover half of the grant the county gives to businesses within town limits for façade improvements.
“Assuming that the county continues with its program as we have understood that they will be,” he said.
Simmons also added insurance to the Treasurer position.
“The town didn’t pay insurance on behalf of Susan (Slate). I’m assuming we will be filling that position with somebody that’s not at retirement age. I assume we will be paying insurance for that person again,” he said.
In terms of transparency and making the budget easier to understand, Councilmember Dave Hoback asked if it would be possible under general expenses to show transfers from the general fund to the water and sewer funds, and the amounts necessary to balance the funds.
“That way when we get a total under general revenues and a total under general expenses they match,” Hoback said.
Simmons said it is possible and believes the line item to do that is already in the town’s financial management system.
“I think this was just a carryover from the last time I prepared the budget. But I absolutely can include those transfer numbers,” he said.
In other matters, the council:
*Approved closing the town office on Friday, April 18, so town employees could attend the funeral of Susan Slate.
*Held a moment of silence for Slate, as directed by Jeff Houchins.
*Approved the meeting minutes.
*Discussed the Beer & Wine Festival.
*Discussed two town businesses, Blue Ridge Tap House and Stagecoach, that have not paid or are delinquent in paying meals tax.
*Paid the bills.
Councilmember Rebecca Adcock attended the meeting via phone.
