Council hears first reading of FY2026 supplemental appropriation; $1.2M in general fund carry-forwards and $30M CIP carry-forward noted
November 12, 2025 | Winchester City, Frederick County, Virginia
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Winchester — The Winchester City Council held a first reading on Nov. 12 of O2025-32, the supplemental appropriation ordinance for FY2026, which staff said primarily consists of carry-forward funds, grants and reallocated revenues.
Finance staff described a roughly $1.2 million increase in the general fund driven by carry-forward items, including IT spending for a Computer-Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS) and associated annual maintenance, grant funding for the fire department (including a SAFER grant for six firefighters), and remaining renovation costs carried forward from prior years. Staff also presented a proposed $500,000 transfer to the Capital Improvements Program fund to support a property acquisition the city attorney is negotiating.
The presentation noted a $30 million capital improvements fund balance being carried forward that includes state and federal funds and bond proceeds allocated to a set of projects previously discussed by staff. Regarding a planned fire engine purchase, staff said the city had made a $500,000 down payment and that the total vehicle cost was "almost a million dollars," with final delivery likely in FY2027.
Councilors also asked about a mobile integrated health care software being pursued by the community paramedic program and the phased Marcus Alert Program; staff identified the Northwestern Community Service Board as a regional partner and said the jurisdiction must have systems in place by 2028 as part of the phased approach.
Why it matters: the ordinance consolidates multiple midyear adjustments — IT upgrades, grant-funded firefighter positions, capital project carry-forwards and a property acquisition transfer — and sets expectations for future budget presentations. As a first reading, no final appropriation was adopted at the Nov. 12 meeting; councilors asked clarifying questions and were told to expect the item to return for final action.
Next steps: staff said the ordinance will return for a subsequent meeting (a second reading and vote) where the council may take formal action.
Finance staff described a roughly $1.2 million increase in the general fund driven by carry-forward items, including IT spending for a Computer-Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS) and associated annual maintenance, grant funding for the fire department (including a SAFER grant for six firefighters), and remaining renovation costs carried forward from prior years. Staff also presented a proposed $500,000 transfer to the Capital Improvements Program fund to support a property acquisition the city attorney is negotiating.
The presentation noted a $30 million capital improvements fund balance being carried forward that includes state and federal funds and bond proceeds allocated to a set of projects previously discussed by staff. Regarding a planned fire engine purchase, staff said the city had made a $500,000 down payment and that the total vehicle cost was "almost a million dollars," with final delivery likely in FY2027.
Councilors also asked about a mobile integrated health care software being pursued by the community paramedic program and the phased Marcus Alert Program; staff identified the Northwestern Community Service Board as a regional partner and said the jurisdiction must have systems in place by 2028 as part of the phased approach.
Why it matters: the ordinance consolidates multiple midyear adjustments — IT upgrades, grant-funded firefighter positions, capital project carry-forwards and a property acquisition transfer — and sets expectations for future budget presentations. As a first reading, no final appropriation was adopted at the Nov. 12 meeting; councilors asked clarifying questions and were told to expect the item to return for final action.
Next steps: staff said the ordinance will return for a subsequent meeting (a second reading and vote) where the council may take formal action.
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