Roanoke City Council Budget Public Hearing on April 23 2026 at 7:00pm

The Roanoke City Council held a public hearing on April 23, 2026, to discuss the recommended budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The hearing featured multiple public speakers, primarily focused on the funding of Roanoke City Public Schools. Speakers urged the council to fully fund education, highlighting the critical need for support positions, programs like Plato, and activity buses that facilitate student participation in extracurricular activities. Concerns were raised about budget cuts impacting educational quality, infrastructure, and long-term community well-being. One speaker also addressed the city's high tax rates and questioned the fairness of placing the financial burden on homeowners. The council announced a follow-up informal session scheduled for May 11, 2026, to continue budget discussions, with the current tax rate proposed to remain unchanged.