City Manager's Messages

Each year, as City Manager, I am charged with proposing an annual budget for Council consideration.   In addition to being balanced, the proposal should reflect the strategic priorities defined by the Mayor and Council through their annual Strategic Planning process as well as address objectives I have defined for the organization.  This year, my budget proposal is for $324,789,000, representing a 5.6% increase over last year’s approved budget.  

This proposal is balanced, responds to Council priorities and addresses a number of important organizational challenges, most notably compensation for the City workforce.  This proposal continues actions that represent sound financial management, strategic investments and enhanced funding of essential services that better the health, safety and quality of life for the residents of Roanoke – and it does so without increasing tax rates.

 In addition to the General Fund Operating Budget, I am proposing a $163 million five-year Capital Improvements Program which includes funding for school buildings, bridges, parks and recreation, street paving, library facilities, courthouse renovations, technology upgrades and more.

Budget Highlights

Highlights of the balanced budget include:

• Highest level of local funding for education in City’s history - $94.5 million - $6.7 million more than FY22
• Highest level of funding for community safety in City’s history - $75.7 million
• Highest compensation Increases for public safety in decades - $3.7 million increase over FY22 for Sheriff, Fire-EMS, and Police, including full implementation of Step Pay Plan for Police
• More than $64 million in capital investments – schools, parks, street paving, bridges, stormwater management
• Continued regional partnerships - $10.7 million – economic development, mental health, transportation, tourism, arts and culture
• Greater transparency in capital investments
• Continued advancement on addressing equity and disparities in the community

Roanoke’s resilient economy has enabled tax revenues capable of supporting these enhancements and investments while also allowing the highest Fund Balance – more than $50 million, in the City’s history to protect against unforeseen catastrophic negative economic impacts.  

Roanoke’s local economy has proven remarkably resilient throughout the pandemic, providing the funds necessary to deliver essential services and invest in our people, facilities and future at unprecedented levels.  However, many needs remain unmet and current successes remain tenuous. We must remain fixed on our mission and strategic in our actions, if we are to continue to support the residents and businesses in our community and ensure the Star City remains strong.

Find Out More

Visit https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17334/FY23-RECOMMENDED-BUDGET-DOCUMENT to read the City Manager’s full budget message and the proposed budget which was presented to the City Council at their meeting on the afternoon of April 18, which may be viewed at https://www.roanokeva.gov/1837/Budget-Development .  A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 7:00 pm April 26.   Adoption of the FY23 budget will occur on the evening of May 9.

-Bob Cowell