Lynchburg Development News

City Council Approves Significant Funding for Water, Stormwater, and Fire Department Enhancements

The City Council considered and adopted ordinances related to the Water and Stormwater Capital Projects Funds. The first ordinance addressed amending and appropriating $36,383,600 to the Water Capital Projects Fund and $1.3 million to the Stormwater Capital Projects Fund. This action was in response to approved rate increases for these funds and restores previously reduced CIP budgets. A portion of the water fund appropriation, $7.5 million, will be borrowed, supplemented by a $15 million award from the Virginia Department of Health, with $7.5 million in principal forgiveness. The stormwater appropriation increases the CIP to $1.4 million. The second ordinance, related to the FY2027 general fund budget, sought to appropriate up to $310,800 for a detailed staffing assessment of the Fire Department, a full-time civilian Human Resources leadership position, and a full-time sworn position for training coordination. This ordinance was introduced and ultimately passed with a 7-0 vote after a motion to amend it to include compliance with NFPA 1750 failed. The amendment was proposed to ensure the staffing assessment also evaluated the department's adherence to national standards for deployment and operations.