By Meg Hibbert, Contributing writer
On May 27 Salem City Council adopted the proposed $226 million Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Budget, a net increase of 4.4 percent over the current budget. The meeting was held on Tuesday last week after the Salem Times-Register’s press deadline because of the Memorial Day holiday when city offices were closed.
The budget includes up to a 4 percent cost of living for employees, and a $6.65 million General Fund Capital Budget with road and bridge projects and storm drainage projects.
Council also approved the 2026 Salem City Schools Budget.
Under old business, Salem City Council passed, on second reading zoning changes on Brand Avenue where a mental health counseling center will be located. The vote was unanimous, with all five Councilmembers present.
Council adopted a 2026 fee schedule for the city.
Citizens who spoke at the Citizen Comment period at the beginning of the meeting were:
- Evans Baxley who thanked Council downtown improvements and suggested some he wanted to see;
- John Breen who asked “Is the past going to remain Salem’s future?” He wanted to see streaming of Council meetings, and something done where the former McClung warehouse burned six months ago;
- Stella Reinhard who was concerned about construction vehicles entering and exiting Roanoke College property onto neighborhood roads, and wanted Salem to have more boulevards.
The meeting was adjourned after 21 minutes, at 6:51.
