We’re three weeks into the fiscal year and that means work is under way to close the last one out. Charlottesville collected nearly five million more in real property taxes in Fiscal Year 2023. “For the second year in a row, we are ending with a big surplus and that first surplus is driven by…
Last August, City Council set aside $580,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to help spur community events in the wake of the pandemic. The window is open for groups who want to try something new or sustain something existing. “The program is intended to promote citywide special events that will activate public spaces, enrich…
The closing date has passed for comments for the third module of Charlottesville’s draft zoning ordinance, but there has been plenty of discussion from members of the public as well as the city’s various committees. One of those uttered at the June 13 meeting was from the Bike and Pedestrian Committee. Planning Commissioner Carl Schwarz is…
Charlottesville City Council has officially accepted $5 million from the University of Virginia to cover some of the cost of two streetscape projects. The approval of the donation came last night with a second reading on the Council’s consent agenda. They had the first reading on June 7 of a resolution to re-route the money…
The federal government’s response to the pandemic is now over, but there’s still additional funding available for various projects paid for through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. The City of Charlottesville expects an anticipated $340,000 through the HOME-ARP program that funnels out of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applications are now…
Charlottesville City Council has agreed once more to redirect funding to help the separate public housing agency purchase property for the purpose of retaining affordable units. This is the third time that Council has agreed to use funding budgeted to bolster federal housing voucher programs to pay for the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority to…
On Monday, Charlottesville City Council held the public hearing and the first of two readings on utility rates. That includes water, sewer, natural gas, and stormwater fees. “Eighty-seven percent of city residents receive these four utilities in some way, shape, or form,” said Chris Cullinan, Charlottesville’s finance director. “For the average customer who uses the…
During his report to City Council on Monday, interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers said the city will sell $16 million worth of bonds this week and the reaffirmation of AAA ratings will keep the interest payments the lowest they can be. “Both Moody’s and S&P Global,” Rogers said. “We gave them a tour of…
The Virginia Board of Education held a special meeting on May 11 to take care of unfinished business including the award of $365 million in the school construction assistance program. “This is the major school construction grant program which was created in the 2022 [General Assembly] session and funded at $450 million,” said Kent Dickey,…
Paying for infrastructure is a complex process that involves a lot of financial planning and budget balancing. On Monday, Charlottesville City Council took action related to two ambitious projects. “So you have a multi-year funding plan that’s been put together by staff in the last year or so with regards to the Stribling Avenue sidewalk…