City of Bristol, VA

The City of Bristol, VA held a budget workshop meeting on March 18, 2026, focusing extensively on financial updates, budget planning, and capital improvement projects. The finance update detailed the city's revenues, expenditures, and fund deficits, highlighting the payoff of 2023 bond anticipation notes and trends in local taxes. The workshop covered salary and benefit increases, including a proposed 2% state salary increase and a 2% bonus for FY26, as well as health insurance plan changes impacting employee costs. Staffing requests totaling 28.52 full-time equivalent positions were reviewed, with specific departmental needs outlined. The capital improvement program was presented, detailing infrastructure projects such as street and bridge repairs, local funded projects including public safety equipment and public works facility improvements, and a fleet rotation plan with vehicle replacements. The total capital expenditures for FY27 were projected at $11.3 million, with subsequent years also budgeted for significant infrastructure and equipment investments. Council members discussed the timing of projects and staffing needs, with plans to proceed with bidding for the Creekside Trail Bridge repair. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn after thorough budget deliberations and public engagement opportunities were noted.