Blacksburg Town Council Adopts FY2027 Budget and Approves Opioid Settlement – April 28, 2026
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Blacksburg Town Council Adopts FY2027 Budget and Approves Opioid Settlement – April 28, 2026
The Blacksburg Town Council held its regular meeting on April 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The council approved the FY2027 budget, adopted fee increases for water, sewer, and solid waste, and authorized participation in a multi-defendant opioid settlement. A proclamation for National Travel and Tourism Week was also presented.
Proclamation
- Mayor Sutphin presented a proclamation declaring May 3–9, 2026, as National Travel and Tourism Week in Blacksburg. The proclamation highlighted that the travel industry has an economic impact of $3 trillion, supports 15 million American jobs, and generated $92 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2025. Emma from the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Montgomery County Regional Tourism accepted the proclamation.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved the Town Council minutes from April 7, 2026.
- Opioid Settlement Resolution: Approved Resolution 4-B-26 authorizing the Town’s participation in a combined settlement agreement resolving opioid-related claims against six remnant defendants (Associated Pharmacies, Inc., J M Smith Corp., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Co., Morris and Dickson Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Co., and United Natural Foods, Inc. (including Supervalu and Advantage Logistics)). The resolution directs the Town Attorney to execute necessary documents. The consent agenda passed unanimously (7-0).
Discussion Items
- FY2027 Budget Adoption (Ordinance 2113): Mayor Sutphin announced a disqualification from voting on parts of Ordinance 2113 (Section 4(a)(ii), Sections 8 and 9) and did not participate in the vote on those sections. The council voted separately:
- First, the main budget ordinance (excluding the three sections) was adopted unanimously (7-0).
- Second, the three sections (Section 4(a)(ii) and Sections 8 and 9) were adopted 6-0-1, with Mayor Sutphin abstaining.
- Utility and Solid Waste Fee Increases (Ordinance 2114): The council adopted Ordinance 2114, amending Town Code sections 18-400, 20-206, and 24-602 to increase fees for water and sewer services and solid waste and recycling. Passed unanimously (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Budget and Fees: The FY2027 budget (Ordinance 2113) and utility/solid waste fee increases (Ordinance 2114) were approved.
- Opioid Settlement: The Town will participate in the multi-defendant opioid settlement.
- Closed Meeting: The council adjourned to a closed meeting at 6:38 p.m. under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(7) for legal consultation on probable litigation. The closed meeting lasted until 7:17 p.m., after which the council adopted Resolution 4-C-26 certifying its propriety.
- Next Meetings: Work session May 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Blacksburg Motor Company Conference Room; regular meeting May 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Meeting Transcript
Will the council come to order and will the clerk please call the roll? Anderson, present. Campbell? Present. Oliver. Eric. Here. Goodhart? Present. Cassol? Present. Sutton. Here. Before we get to the consent agenda, I have a proclamation for us tonight, and Emma from the Regional Tourism Office will join us for a proclamation on national travel and tourism week. So you wanted to join me down here. Thank you for joining us. So whereas the travel industry is essential to the success of every industry and will continue to be a critical part of Blacksburg's economy, development, and workforce. Whereas travel is an economic powerhouse for every state and destination across the country with an economic impact of three trillion, supporting 15 million American jobs. Whereas travel spending supports vibrant and safe communities in Blacksburg and across the United States by generating ninety-two billion in state and local tax revenue in 2025 to support essential services such as education, emergency response, public safety, and more, whereas travel enables success for all industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, defense, health care, and more, by driving sales growth, innovation, education, and operations that power our economy, our nation, and the New River Valley. Whereas Americans travel industry cannot be globally competitive without maximizing growth in leisure, business, and international inbound travelers. Increasing travel to and within the United States drives our economy to a more prosperous future and connects America. Whereas one in every 11 U.S. jobs depend on travel, making it a critical driver of America's economy and a force for connection and opportunity. And whereas travel is an essential industry, and we must continue to communicate that growing travel leads to economic growth, benefits businesses, fosters mutual understanding, and connects the nation. Therefore, I, Michael Sutfin, mayor of the town of Blacksburg, do hereby proclaim May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as National Travel and Tourism Week in Blacksburg, and urge our citizens to join me in recognizing the essential role this industry plays in Blacksburg in the Newer Valley. So here you go, and thank you for the all that you do supporting our travel and tourism industry. Thanks. And now we will move on to the consent agenda. There are two items on the consent agenda. Item A is the approval of the town council minutes from April 7th, and item B is resolution 4B 26, which is a resolution of the town council of Blacksburg, Virginia approving the town's participation in the proposed combined settlement agreement resolving opioid related claims against associated pharmacies, Inc., the American Associated Pharmacies, J. M. Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company Incorporated, Morris and Dixon Company, North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. and United Natural Foods Inc., including its subsidiaries, Super Value and Advantaged Logistics, collectively referred to as the six remnant defendants, and directing the town attorney to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the town's participation in the settlement. So we have two items on the consent agenda. What is council's pleasure on the consent agenda? I move approval of the consent agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll? Campbell. Aye. Oliver. Aye. Ford. Aye. Goodhart. Aye. Cassol. Aye.
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