CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL
             Budget Development Work Session February 2, 2023 at 5:00 PM
                        In person: CitySpace, 100 5th Street NW
                    Electronic: Zoom, www.charlottesville.gov/zoom

The Charlottesville City Council met on Thursday, February 2, 2023 in a budget work session to
begin a series of discussions on the Fiscal Year 2024 City budget. The meeting was held in
hybrid format with Council members and public seating in CitySpace and electronic participation
on the Zoom webinar platform. Mayor Lloyd Snook called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. and
called the roll, noting the following councilors present: Michael Payne, Brian Pinkston, Mayor
Lloyd Snook. Vice Mayor Juandiego Wade joined the meeting by 5:02 p.m.

Interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers listed key dates for advertising public hearings on the
budget and any proposed tax levies. He reviewed budget development public meeting dates,
budget guidelines and long-term financial policies.

FY 2024 Budget Development Overview and Discussion
Krisy Hammill, Director of Budget, presented data on the FY2024 projected revenue and
expenditure drivers. Expenditure drivers included:

   •   Additional Staffing for Fire, Human Resources, Human Rights
   •   Charlottesville Area Transit and school bus driver pay increases
   •   Restoring pre-COVID funding levels for facilities repair and vehicle replacement
   •   Schools local contribution
   •   Potential cost of living salary increases
   •   Intergovernmental/multi-jurisdictional agency increases
   •   City cost increase for employee healthcare
   •   Vibrant Community Fund
   •   Collective bargaining
   •   Services for the unhoused
   •   Climate action
   •   City share of regional projects
   •   Fund for Pathways/emergency assistance
   •   Departmental new requests

Ms. Hammill provided a Capital Budget Overview and addressed Capital Improvement Program
affordability. She summarized priorities previously expressed by City Council and Mr. Rogers
asked Council to discuss their priorities. Council engaged in discussion.

Regarding affordable housing funding, Deputy City Manager Sam Sanders explained city
positions that support affordable housing efforts and the abundance of funding support requests
related to existing housing assistance programs.

Councilors expressed individual priorities to include housing affordability, tax levies, safety
from gun violence, optional activities for youth and young adults, the Council Strategic
Initiatives Fund (which Council agreed on an amount of $150,000), and Pathways program
funding.

Ms. Hammill announced the First Tax Rate Public Hearing scheduled for March 20, 2023 at 6:30
p.m. and stated that an ad will be published in compliance with Virginia Code Section 58.2-
3321. Council agreed not to advertise an increase in the real estate tax levy, given increased
assessment values.

Commissioner of the Revenue Todd Divers shared information about the income-based housing
assistance and relief programs delivered through his office.

Public Comment
Mayor Snook opened the floor for public comment.

   •   James Groves, city resident, spoke about establishing a green bank for the City of
       Charlottesville.
   •   Elizabeth Stark, city resident, requested funding the Pathways program at pre-Covid
       levels in support of anti-eviction efforts.
   •   Lakeshia Washington, city resident, spoke in support of funding for the Pathways
       program, affordable housing and energy saving.
   •   Emily Dreyfus, community organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, spoke about
       adjusting real estate tax relief levels and tax relief programs. She spoke in support of
       Pathways funding and she requested funding to support lower-income residents
       participate in boards and commissions meetings to share their lived experience.
   •   Ang Conn, city resident, requested more funding for the Pathways program.

With no additional speakers coming forward, Mayor Snook adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.

BY Order of City Council                                   BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council


                                                               Approved by Council
                                                               February 6, 2023



                                                               Kyna Thomas, MMC
                                                               Clerk of Council