The regularly scheduled meeting ofthe Norton City Council was held Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., in the Municipal Council Chambers with Mayor Joseph Fawbush presiding. Present: Chris Jones, Stacy Salyers, Robert Fultz, Jr., and Joseph Fawbush Absent: Mark Caruso Also Present: Jeffery A. Shupe, City Manager and Clerk, Stephen McElroy, Assistant City Manager, City Engineer, Treavor Calhoun, City Director of Finance, and Matthew R. Dotson, City Attorney The invocation was given by Rev. Gary Hill and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Norton Police Chief James Lane. Upon a motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by unanimous vote, council moved to adopt the minutes of the May 20, 2025, council meeting as presented. There was no response during the Mayor's Call for Visitors. During a special presentation, Shelby Shortt was recognized for her recent retirement from the Norton Department ofSocial Services (NDSS) having worked for the city for 28 years. On behalf of council, Mayor Fawbush presented Ms. Shortt with a plaque honoring her retirement after 28 years of dedicated and faithful service to NDSS and the citizens of Norton. Ms. Short was honored with applause, and a photo was taken with council. The mayor thanked Ms. Shortt for her 28 years of service to the city. He said it speaks volumes when our employees stay with us and we do not have a lot of turnover in the city. The mayor said this speaks volumes not only ofthis council, but also of the administration, the department heads, and the employees. A public hearing was held to solicit input on an Ordinance Adopting the 2025-2026 City of Norton Budget with budgetary funds designated for the General Operating Fund totaling $13,931,828, the Enterprise Fund in the amount of$3,787,943, the Social Services Fund totaling $2,035,856, and the Police Investigative Fund of $70,000. The city manager said council had been provided with a synopsis oft the 2025-2026 City of Norton Budget on pages 14-18 of their council packets and the public hearing for the budget was duly advertised. He said council had the opportunity to review the budget at the last two meetings. Providing budget highlights, Mr. Shupe said real estate and personal property tax levies remained unchanged at $0.90 per $100.00 assessed valuation and $2.05 per $100.00 assessed valuation, respectively. A Data Center Equipment Tax of $0.24 per $100.00 assessed valuation remained unchanged as well. Two rate increases were advertised within the budget ordinance. One was an increase to the city's water and sewer rates of$1 to the base rate moving the fee for in-city residents to $8.65 from $7.65. The second increase contained in the budget ordinance was a 25 percent rate increase to Commercial Garbage Service. The budget also had some additional tax enhancements that require separate public hearings and would be discussed later in the council meeting. The city manager said the proposed budget was advertised as $13,931,828 for the General Operating Fund, $3,787,943 for the Enterprise Fund, $2,035,856 for the Social Services Fund, and $70,000 for the Police Investigative Fund. Mr. Shupe offered to answer questions from council. Mayor Fawbush asked ift there were any comments or questions from council prior to the public hearing. The mayor noted that the public hearing was duly advertised and was presented at the last council meeting. Mayor Fawbush opened the public hearing. Receiving no public comments on the proposed FY2025-2026 City of Norton Budget, the mayor closed the public hearing. Mr. Shupe said council would formally consider adoption of the city's FY2025-2026 Budget at the June 17th council meeting. A public hearing was held on An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norton, Virginia Amending Article VII. Meals Tax: Section 23-192 ofthe Norton City Code. The ordinance authorized a 1.5 percent increase in the Meals Tax resulting in an increase from 7 to 8.5 percent. Mr. Shupe said this public hearing and the next two public hearings must be separate from the budget public hearing because the rates are specified within City Code. The public hearings must be duly advertised and acted upon separately. The city manager said council could take action tonight following the public hearing. In an effort to be timely with the restaurants and food vendors and notify them of the change, Mr. Shupe advised that the ordinance would become effective August 1, 2025. He said the public hearing was duly advertised. Mayor Fawbush opened the public hearing. Mr. Blake Salyer of 230 Craig Street, N.W., Norton, and co-owner of a food services business in the city, voiced his concern about the Meals Tax increase and asked council what other tax increases were considered during the budget process to increase revenues. Mayor Fawbush asked if there were any questions or comments from council. Following a brief discussion, Mayor Fawbush said we will let you know something during our budget discussions. He said if you spend $50 on a meal the Meals Tax increase is basically an additional $0.75 to the consumer. After inquiry about how much the Meals Tax increase would enhance city revenues, the city manager confirmed that the Meals Tax increase would generate $310,000 a year. Mayor Fawbush said this was investigated and he believed some of our neighboring communities were considering going to this rate as well. He said some were going above this rate SO we would not be the highest in the region. The city manager confirmed this was correct. Discussion followed about why the decision was made to increase the Meals Tax, the Transient Occupancy Tax, and the Cigarette Tax. Councilman Fultz said to be honest we were trying to avoid increasing the real estate tax rate. He said that is why we increased the Transient Occupancy Tax because that is a tax primarily on "non-Nortonians. 99 Mr. Fultz said some of the Meals Tax would be paid by "non-Nortonians. 99 He said the other tax increase would be the Cigarette Tax because that is a choice. Acknowledging that food, labor, rent and energy costs have increased for restaurants, the mayor said he thought council's general thought process was that this would be a minimal increase of $0.75 on a $50 meal or $1.50 on a $100 meal. Mr. Salyer pointed out that this adds up for people who eat out frequently. Noting that he owns property in the city as a resident and as a business owner, he said he did not know ifit would be a bad thing to consider increasing real estate taxes especially because there are SO many structures which are dilapidating and not getting improved upon in the city. He asked why the city would not consider some sort of tax or creative way to utilize a property tax increase to actually influence someone to move on from a property or invest in that property. Discussion followed about how Mr. Salyer's business was doing and his perception of how restaurants in downtown Norton were doing. Mayor Fawbush and Councilman Fultz thanked Mr. Salyer for attending the public hearing and voicing his concern. There being no additional public comment, the mayor closed the public hearing. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following roll call vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz, and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt An Ordinance of the City Council of the City ofl Norton, Virginia Amending Article VII. Meals Tax: Section 23-192 of the Norton City Code to increase the Meals Tax from 7 to 8.5 percent (Insert) A public hearing was held on An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norton, Virginia Amending Article VI. Transient Occupancy: Section 23-172 ofthe Norton City Code. This ordinance authorized a 1 percent increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax resulting in an increase from 6 to 7 percent. Mr. Shupe said this tax increase by ordinance must be adopted separately and the public hearing on this tax increase must also be held separately. He said as we were going through the budget process this was a tax that we took into consideration for an increase in comparison to our regional neighbors and it was determined that we might want to move this tax from 61 to 7 percent. He advised that if council chose to adopt this ordinance it would be effective August 1st, 2025. Mayor Fawbush opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, the mayor closed the public hearing. Mayor Fawbush asked how much revenue this tax increase was projected to generate. The city manager said the Transient Occupancy Tax increase would increase the city budget by $50,000. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by the following roll call vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz, and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt An Ordinance of the City Council ofthe City of Norton, Virginia Amending Article VI. Transient Occupancy Tax: Section 23-172 of the Norton City Code to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 to 7 percent. (Insert) A public hearing was held on An Ordinance of the City Council ofthe City ofNorton, Virginia Amending Article IX. Cigarette Tax: Section 23-302 oft the Norton City Code. This ordinance authorized an increase of the Cigarette Tax from $0.25 to $0.40 cents per pack. The city manager said this was a different assessment compared to the other two tax increases as it was an assessment per pack. Mr. Shupe said the ordinance shall become effective August 1st, 2025, and the tax was expected to generate $90,000 for the city budget. Mayor Fawbush opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, the mayor closed the public hearing. Upon a motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following roll call vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz, and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norton, Virginia Amending Article IX. Cigarette Tax: Section 23-302 ofthe Norton City Code to increase the Cigarette Tax from $0.25 to $0.40 cents per pack. (Insert) Making a comment about the budget process, Mayor Fawbush said we start early in the year and estimate our revenue and plan our expenditures around that. He said these three ordinances were duly advertised. Advising that we think we have a budget that will work, the mayor said council would consider adoption of the FY2025-2026 City of Norton Budget at its next meeting. Under old business, council was asked to consider adoption of the 2025-2026 Norton City Schools Budget totaling $15,505,018. This budget included the Operational Fund in the amount of$14,002,254, of which $3,463,706 was locally appropriated funds; the Textbook Fund in the amount of $431,003, of which $30,128 was locally appropriated funds; the Early Retirement Fund in the amount of $44,522; the Food Services Fund of $981,289; and the Capital Project Fund of$45,950. The city manager said a public hearing for the FY2025-2026 Norton City Schools Budget totaling $15,505,018 was held at the last council meeting and the budget was shown via PowerPoint. He explained that council must wait two weeks after the public hearing before taking action on the school budget. Mayor Fawbush said he thought, in discussion with fellow council members, that this was our required local effort, the minimum, and required local match. Mr. Shupe said this was correct. The mayor said we are doing basically the minimum that we are required to do and he was SO proud that the school system makes that work. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following roll call vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt the FY2025-206 Norton City Schools Budget in the amount of$15,505,018, as presented. Under New Business, council was presented with a request to apply for a FY2026 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) grant of up to $150,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's PSAP Grant Program for the City ofl Norton 911 Dispatch Center. The city manager advised council that pages 63-75 of council packets included information that was presented to city administration by the Norton Police Department and specifically the 911 Dispatch Center. He said the dispatch center is fully digitized and with that comes the need to periodically upgrade certain components. Mr. Shupe said a draft grant application on page 63 of council packets showed the estimated cost of$114,512. He said there was one item on the grant list that did not have a quote, SO the request for consideration by council tonight was for authorization to apply for the full grant amount of up to $150,000. He said no local match was required by the city. Norton Assistant Police Chief Greg Mays discussed specifics ofthe grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management' s PSAP Grant Program for the City ofNorton 911 Dispatch Center, noting that the grant application was due June 30th, 2025. Following a discussion about city communication systems, the assistant police chief credited Norton Dispatch Supervisor Suzanne Stacy with doing all the work on the grant application. Mayor Fawbush asked if council had any questions. There were no questions from council. The mayor thanked Assistant Police Chief Greg Mays for the grant application presentation. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following roll call vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT Caruso, ABSTAIN None, council moved to authorize Norton Police Department to apply for a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) grant of up to $150,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management" S PSAP Grant Program for the City of Norton 911 Dispatch Center, as presented, and allow the police chief to sign all grant documents. Following discussion about when the grant would be awarded, the city manager said we hope to receive grant award notification this fall. Council had been presented with a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) Between the City of Norton Department of Social Services (NDSS) and Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. (CAC MEOC). The city manager said Norton Social Services Director Abe Rutherford was present to explain the MOU, which is done annually. Mr. Rutherford pointed out that this MOU was not the MOU with MEOC that was presented in January which was about investigative protocol. He spoke briefly about the working relationship ofNDSS and CAC MEOC as outlined in the MOU. He explained that they do forensic interviewing for NDSS when NDSS has extreme physical abuse, extreme physical neglect or sexual abuse. The NDSS director asked if council had any questions. The city manager advised council that the city attorney had reviewed the MOU. The city attorney said this does not require anything ofthe city that we do not already do if this did not exist. Mr. Rutherford said there are mandates both in policy and City Code that require us to work alongside them. Mayor Fawbush asked Mr. Rutherford to explain how Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC) got involved in this and what their part is. The NDSS director said MEOC houses the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center and the Healthy Families Program and they sit under the umbrella of MEOC. The mayor thanked Mr. Rutherford for discussing the MOU with council. Upon a motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Fultz, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Norton Department of Social Services and Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., as presented, and authorized the NDSS director to sign the MOU. Council had also been presented with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City ofNorton Police Department and Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. (CAC MEOC). The city manager advised council that this was the same MOU, just agency wording was changed. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt a Memorandum ofUnderstanding Between the City of Norton Police Department and Southwest Virginia Children' s Advocacy Center of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., as presented, and authorized the police chief to sign the MOU. Also on the agenda was a request for council consideration of requirements by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) as related to the Southside Comprehensive Community Development Phase II Project. These requirements included council adoption of1.) an Internal Grievance Procedure, 2.) a Non-Discrimination Policy, and 3.) a City Local Business and Employment Plan as related to the Southside Comprehensive Community Development Phase II Project. The city manager advised council that pages 78-82 of council packets contained three policies and procedures that must be adopted as city administration moves forward with the Southside Comprehensive Community Development Phase II Project. Mayor Fawbush asked if council had any questions or comments. There were no questions or comments from council. Upon a motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt the Internal Grievance Procedure, the Non- Discrimination Procedure, and the City Local Business and Employment Plan for the Southside Comprehensive Community Development Phase II Project, as presented. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to go into closed meeting to discuss Personnel as per Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) oft the Code ofVirginia, as amended. Mayor Fawbush declared council in closed meeting. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to go back into open meeting. Mayor Fawbush declared council back in open meeting. Mr. Shupe polled each member of council as to the Certification of Closed Meeting with each answer yes. He then read A Resolution ofthe Certification of Closed Meeting. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved to adopt A Resolution of the Certification of Closed Meeting. (Insert) Mayor Fawbush entertained nominations for an appointment to the Community Corrections Resources Board for a two-year term to expire on June 30, 2027. Councilman Salyers nominated Norton Police Chief. James Lane to be reappointed to the Community Corrections Resources Board for a two-year term to expire on June 30, 2027. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved that the nominations cease. The mayor declared Norton Police Chief James Lane reappointed to the Community Corrections Resources Board for a two-year term to expire on June 30, 2027. Mayor Fawbush entertained nominations for an appointment to the Mountain Empire Regional Business Incubator, Inc., Board for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Councilman Fultz nominated Mr. Blake Salyer to be reappointed to the Mountain Empire Regional Business Incubator, Inc., Board for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved that the nominations cease. The mayor declared Mr. Blake Salyer reappointed to the Mountain Empire Regional Business Incubator, Inc., Board for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Mayor Fawbush opened the floor for nominations for an appointment to the Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board of Trustees for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Councilman Jones nominated Ms. Ethel Daniels to be reappointed to the Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board of Trustees for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Upon a motion by Councilman Fultz, seconded by Councilman Salyers, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz, and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN -1 None, council moved that the nominations cease. The mayor declared Ms. Ethel Daniels reappointed to the Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board of Trustees for a four-year term to expire June 30, 2029. Mayor Fawbush entertained nominations for appointments for student representatives to the Wise County/City of Norton Youth Services Board, replacing Bailee Rambo and Emily Campbell whose terms expire May 30, 2025. The terms oft the nominees will expire June 3, 2029. Councilman Fultz nominated Emma Addington and Brayden Broskey to be appointed as student representatives to the Wise County/City ofNorton Youth Services Board, replacing Bailee Rambo and Emily Campbell, and whose four-year terms will expire June 3, 2029. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by unanimous vote: YES Jones, Salyers, Fultz, and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN - None, council moved that the nominations cease, The mayor declared Emma Addington and Brayden Broskey appointed as Wise County/City of Norton Youth Services Board student representatives to four-year terms to expire June 3, 2029. In comments from the city manager: Mr. Shupe said Norton Police Department would be handing out trinkets during the Best Friend Festival and other public events and the department wanted to share some oft those with council SO those items had been placed at council desks. He thanked the police department for sharing the items and said the police officers would have a presence throughout the festival. Discussion followed about the Marcus alert system which is a statewide behavioral health framework in Virginia that creates coordination between 911 and regional crisis call centers and establishes a specialized behavioral health response from law enforcement when responding to a behavioral health situation. Norton Police Chief James Lane said parents can notify dispatch when there is a behavioral health situation that might require officers to respond to an incident in a different way SO dispatch can make note of this. The city manager said last night he had the pleasure of attending the awards reception for the Cumberland Forest Community Fund and the city was awarded a $15,000 Protect Our Parks grant check for reenergizing the Woodbooger Festival and expanding the festival to a weekend event. Noting that he was very excited about what was going to become of the Woodbooger Festival this year, Mr. Shupe briefed council on the grant awards. Mr. Shupe advised council that late last week Mr. Buddy Delp, with the High Knob Music Festival, contacted him about the possibility of displaying a commemorative quilt at the High Knob Destination Center the week prior to the High Knob Music Festival. He said they were making arrangements for a freestanding display or stand for the quilt which would arrive at the destination center the Monday prior to the festival and would be taken to the festival the morning ofthe festival. Discussing Best Friend Festival events this week, the city manager said the city's farmers market started this evening and a Best Friend Festival schedule of events had been placed at council desks. Council members were also given a flyer about the Forest Botanicals Region Living Monument's S Sculpture Unveiling planned for 11 a.m., Saturday, June 7th, > 2025, at the destination center, with additional city-supported Sculpture Unveiling Celebration activities scheduled throughout the day. He said the sculpture was already installed and the informational plaque would be installed on Friday or Saturday morning. Mr. Shupe said the first concert of the city's Summer Concert Series held Saturday, May 31s1, 2025, at Norton City Park was very well attended despite the threat of rain. In comments by the city attorney: City Attorney Matthew Dotson advised council that he had received notification of an upcoming opioid settlement payment in the amount of$5,883.83 and notification of this had been provided to the city manager. Briefing council on the status of the judicial sale, Mr. Dotson said we are working on this and the date had not yet been determined. The following comments were made by council members: Councilman Jones updated council on conditions at the High Knob Recreation Area in preparation for the High Knob Music Festival set for June 14th, 2025. Noting that he knew the weather had been bad, Councilman Salyers inquired if the city was on track to have the flagpoles in by the Fourth of July. He also mentioned the need for brush removal along East Park Avenue. Councilman Fultz thanked city crews in advance for their time and effort throughout the Best Friend Festival. After congratulating everyone involved with making the tennis court groundbreaking a reality, Mr. Fultz spoke briefly about the groundbreaking. Mayor Fawbush thanked the city manager for his presentation at the tennis court groundbreaking and briefed council on the event. The mayor reported that Flag Rock campgrounds and shelters were busy last weekend. He also inquired ifFlag Rock traffic counts were being done. Mayor Fawbush said he was looking forward to the Woodbooger Festival in September. Councilman Fultz informed council that the John I. Burton Softball Team was still playing and the Lady Raider Tennis Team was the Region ID Champion. Upon a motion by Councilman Salyers, seconded by Councilman Jones, and passed by the following vote: YES - Jones, Salyers, Fultz and Fawbush, NO - None, ABSENT - Caruso, ABSTAIN = None, council moved to adjourn the council meeting. CITY OF NORTON, VIRGINIA Joseph Fawbush, Mayor ATTEST; Jeffety A. Shupe, Clerk ofCouncil