By Matt de Simone
Buchanan Town Manager Tim Mack told Town Council Monday that the town is nearing the end of its effort to catch up on delinquent financial reporting while continuing work on its Comprehensive Plan and community outreach.
Mack said the town has one remaining delinquent fiscal-year report to complete, which would bring the town fully up to date.
“We get that in, we get that done, that’s going to close the book on us being behind,” Mack said.
He credited town staff with the work involved in getting the reports completed, calling it “a big lift.” The town is also nearing the end of its transition to new financial management software, and the treasurer position is now officially bonded.
With the new fiscal year beginning in July, Mack said there have been no major financial trends or incidents.
“The first quarter of these things is always pretty slow,” he said. “So, nothing stands out to me.”
Mack also reported no major incidents or ongoing issues with Public Works and Utilities. Inboden Environmental Services is undergoing some staff restructuring, but Mack said there should be no interruption in service.
The town’s Comprehensive Plan update is in its final design phase. Mack said staff is reviewing the document to ensure it aligns with current zoning and other regulations.
He plans to bring the plan before the Planning Commission for a final review in August, followed by a tentative public hearing in September. A Town Council public hearing could follow in October.
Mack also discussed the town’s new quarterly community listening sessions. The first is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall and will focus on special events.
The sessions will not be formal public-body meetings. Instead, Mack said town staff will sit down with residents and businesses to discuss specific topics and gather feedback.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing some feedback about that and finding ways that we can make improvements on our end,” Mack said.
Mack also said organizers of the Honey Festival are having difficulty attracting vendors for the event, tentatively planned for the end of September. The town has offered to help with marketing and promotion.
He also discussed a request from Sirens & Salutes to replace the town’s Virginia250 flag with a Freedom Flag during September in recognition of Sept. 11.
The town has also been contacted by YStreet, a student-led coalition promoting smoke-, vapor- and tobacco-free public spaces. The group would like to address council about making Town Park a smoke-, vapor- and tobacco-free space.
Mack provided an update on a damaged meter box along Bridge Street. Staff has submitted a complaint to CSX but have not received a response. A resident suggested contacting Covington officials, who reportedly dealt with a similar CSX issue.
“Thank you for the heads up on that,” Mack said. “I’ll give them a call.”
Overall, Mack characterized the start of the new fiscal year as relatively quiet.
“It’s been pretty quiet, the first part of this year,” he said.
