Vienna departments present FY27 new requests: communications, parks, public works and an events funding ask

Council heard a series of departmental budget presentations as part of a FY27 new budget request work session, and members probed funding offsets and implementation risks.

Economic Development Director Nicole described a $50,000 annual facade and interior improvement matching program that would pay 30 percent of eligible private project costs and require an external Economic Development Authority to administer. Nicole also requested a business‑development and real‑estate specialist to take a proactive approach to tenant recruitment and priority property retention; she said the town has limited in‑house capacity after recent staff turnover.

Public Information Director Karen presented a multistaff proposal to add a communications manager, a second communications specialist and a part‑time graphic designer. Karen said the current three‑person team logged nearly 500 hours of overtime and comp time last year (she provided a department cost estimate of $54,309 for overtime and related time), and proposed redirecting $20,000 from current PI budgets to offset the part‑time graphic designer cost.

Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman proposed three ranked unfunded initiatives: convert the part‑time gymnastics program manager to a benefited part‑time role for program stability and revenue protection (the gymnastics program projects roughly $180,000 in gross revenue; net budget impact estimated at a maximum $29,300 increase), add a hospitality manager to improve evening and weekend coverage (total cost $107,219 including a $35,000 reduction in part‑time hours), and add two urban forestry field staff (total $210,000) to meet ANSI, OSHA and VDOT standards and reduce deferred maintenance risk.

Public Works Director Brad Bair asked for a facilities project specialist to coordinate facility capital projects, a capital construction inspector to support workload, and an additional maintenance worker. Brad said some project staff costs can be charged to capital projects but warned that adding staff to capital‑charged time could increase project overhead.

Council also considered three council requests: Vienna250 (a $50,000 request with a $12,000 optional add for a larger July 4 presentation), a proposed holiday market pilot (estimated $19,000 for one weekend, $30,000 for two) and Church Street tree lighting (roughly $700 per tree for about 55 trees, estimated $40,000). Members discussed fundraising options (sponsorships, DMV specialty plate revenue) and possible offsets such as reprogramming unspent line items.

Next steps: Stephen Barlow will distribute the ranked request list and asked council members to submit individual rankings by Jan. 31 so the town can incorporate feasible items into the proposed budget for March work sessions.