Latest news with #RoanokeCityCouncil
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Missy Morris appointed as Rocky Mount's main street director
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. (WFXR) – On Tuesday, June 3, Rocky Mount and local non-profit, Community Partnership, announced the hiring of a new Main Street Executive Director. 'This is an exciting step forward for Rocky Mount,' said Town Manager, Robert J. Wood. 'With a dedicated Main Street Executive Director in place, we are better positioned to support our local businesses and continue the momentum we have established in our CBD.' Missy Morris will lead local efforts to promote and grow business in the uptown and downtown areas as part of the Virginia Main Street Program. Morris has a background in events, management, and operations and a 'talent for bringing people together and a deep passion for community-building.' 'Rocky Mount's Central Business District is experiencing exciting momentum, and it's a privilege to step into this role at such a pivotal time,' said Morris. 'I look forward to working with community members, businesses, and partners to help build on the ongoing efforts that are making our downtown and uptown a more vibrant, welcoming, and thriving place for everyone.' Roanoke City Council passes initiative to help combat homelessness Rocky Mount has been accepted into Virginia's Main Street's second tier, Mobilizing Main Street, of the state organization's three-tier program, which gives the community access to needed resources and technical assistance to develop the local economy and promote growth. Zach Wimmer, Community Partnership President, said, 'Given Missy's background and enthusiasm, coupled with the support of the Virginia Main Street organization and the Town of Rocky Mount, Community Partnership is in a great place to make a far greater impact for Rocky Mount's Central Business District. With these partners, we will be able to impact the economic prosperity and vibrancy of this community in ways we never could have done on our own.' For more information about Community Partnership or CBD growth efforts in Rocky Mount, please contact Missy Morris, mmorris@ or 540-488-2323. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Roanoke City Council passes initiative to help combat homelessness
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Roanoke City Council unanimously voted in favor of Mayor Joe Cobb's initiative, Mayor's Hope and Home Task Force, during Monday's meeting. Homelessness numbers have risen in Roanoke since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 300 people experiencing it as of January. Beyond existing homeless providers in the city, Mayor Cobb wants to hear from other sectors of the community, like business leaders and educators, to determine the best path forward. Along with providing affordable housing, Mayor Cobb wanted the name to reflect a sense of hope, which he said is just as important. 'For people who are experiencing homelessness, there are many days that don't feel very hopeful, and most days feel more like survival,' Mayor Cobb said. ''What can I do to make it through the night,' 'What can I do to make it through the day,' and the obstacles seem insurmountable.' With the green light from council, Mayor Cobb said he's hoping to get it started as soon as possible. US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people He wanted to stress this won't replace any existing services but rather add additional support. 'It will broaden awareness and education in the community,' Mayor Cobb said. 'It will really allow us more holistically to address not only the challenges, but to create opportunities to reduce homelessness in the community.' One of those local resources is Rescue Mission Ministries. For the past 76 years, anyone in need has visited the Rescue Mission and received three meals a day, and a safe place to sleep. It shelters an average of between 200 and 220 people each night. 'They're out during the day, but they always come back at 3:00 in the afternoon when we start the shelters back up,' Lisa Thompson, the Rescue Mission's director of development and communication, said. 'They really seem to very much appreciate it, and it fills our hearts to be able to do what we do for them.' Thompson said there is no limit to how long guests can stay at the Rescue Mission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Increased meals tax, leveled school board budget highlight changes to Roanoke city's fiscal budget
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Roanoke City Council looks much closer to having its budget set for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, but it came at a cost for Roanoke residents and visitors. Your next dinner out in the star city could cost you a little extra, as council boosted the city's prepared food and beverage tax one percent, bringing it to 6.5 percent overall. With that ordinance comes a 1.5 percent discount for business owners who pay the taxes on time, and a surprise vote in favor of a two-year sunset clause, which can lower the tax back to 5.5 percent in 2027. Texas Tavern owner Matt Bullington was in attendance, and while he didn't call the decision a win, he was pleased with those modifications. 'I feel that when I reached out to individual council members and had a lot of conversations with them, they were receptive and they understood that they're in a financial fix,' Bullington said. 'Let's hope that they figure that out, then it sunsets and we can go back to at least where we were.' Mayor Joe Cobb was frustrated with the sunset amendment because he felt like it wasn't the right time to make a change like that. Roanoke restaurants speak out on city council's proposed meals tax increase 'We have the provision of reviewing it annually,' he said. 'I'm concerned that we box ourselves in, and limit ourselves.' Another tough call for leaders today: revising the school board budget. Council voted 5-1 in favor of leveling the budget from last year, leaving the school board almost $7 million short of what it was hoping for. Councilman Nick Hagen was the one No vote on both issues, and he believes this can be harmful to the schools. 'I think one of the concerns that they will see is that they're going to have to make some very hard decisions about looking at classes that are being cut,' Hagen said. 'That's one of the concerns I have.' Mayor Cobb had different thoughts. 'I don't buy this idea that we don't support the schools,' he said. 'I don't agree with it, and I think there's a narrative that's being cast out there that are trying to make us look like the bad guys and we are not.' Mayor Cobb mentioned the school board still gets the most money from the city of any entity, along with an annual $5 million from the Capital Improvement plan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roanoke restaurants speak out on city council's proposed meals tax increase
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Roanoke City Council is still coming up with ideas to close a multi-million-dollar gap to meet the city's budget for the year. One of the ideas proposed by financial advisors was a meals tax increase. City leaders have floated a 1.5 percent increase on the local meals tax, which would put it at seven percent total in the city of Roanoke. It estimates that it would generate about $6 million in revenue, but local restaurants would rather see the rate left alone. RELATED STORY | Roanoke restaurants share concerns over proposed meals tax increase 'We already had to deal with COVID not too long ago,' Josh Patsel, the kitchen manager at Awful Arthur's Seafood Company, said. 'Another blow like this, even if it sounds like it's small, but in the long-term, we're probably looking at probably doing a little bit of damage around here.' Experienced restaurant owners have lived through meals tax increases in the past, but some are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic five years later. They say now would not be a good time to take another hit. 'Some people may look at it as only one percent or 1.5 percent increase,' Matt Bullington, the owner of Texas Tavern, said. 'The reality is that is a percent or percent-and-a-half that you really can't raise your own prices when your costs go up, which they do, and they have been.' Bullington said the restaurant industry already collects the same sales tax as other businesses, and meals taxes are added on top of that. RELATED STORY | Budget recommendations made to Roanoke City Council In the end, restaurants' meals are taxed twice as much as other goods and services. He said since the city usually increases the meals tax to make up budget shortfalls, maybe this time it can look somewhere else. 'I have nothing against people that cut hair or change oil, but if you get your haircut, there's no tax that gets paid on it, but if you come buy a hot dog, there is,' Bullington said. 'Why is that any different?' WFXR reached out to the city for a response, but has not received one at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Budget recommendations made to Roanoke City Council
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — The goal, Roanoke City Manager Valmarie Turner said to council Monday, is to stabilize the budget while also providing cost of living adjustments to city workers. Turner previously told council the city's spending was outpacing revenues. Before presenting budget recommendations, she reiterated the fact that 2025-26 budget is a tight one and tough choices are ahead. 'We're operating in an environment where local, state, and federal uncertainties continue to shape the decisions we need to make,' said Turner. 'These external factors, such as fluctuating funding levels, shifting policies, and potential changes in regulation present ongoing challenges that require us to be adaptable and strategic in our planning.' The city's own base budget is being reduced by a little more than $3.5 million. 'Challenges and choices' was the often-repeated motto of the budget presentation. One proposal to increase revenue is raising the meals tax. Currently, it sits at 5.5%, and early suggestions would have raised it to 6.5%. At Monday's meeting, Turner mentioned that raising it to 7% would help fill funding gaps. Evelyn Powers selected to Roanoke City Council However, Turner's presentation did specify she is not recommending any hikes to Real Estate and Property tax. Still included in the city's expenditures are cost of living adjustments and livable wages for city workers, alongside moving forward with the Step Pay Plan for public safety. The recommended budget is still assigning schools level funding, the same $106 million given to RCPS last year. In early March, the district warned that their elementary Spanish program might face cuts if they don't get their expected increase. Both the schools and the city are facing uncertain Federal and State funding, contributing to the tight purse strings. The city will hold two community meetings in April. Thursday April 10, 7-9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of RoanokeThursday April 17, 7-9 p.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church A public hearing is scheduled for April 21 and Council won't approve a final budget until May 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
