News Flash

City Invites Residents to Interactive Community Budget Forums with City Manager

* City News Alerts * Posted on January 12, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2025

City Invites Residents to Interactive Community Budget Forums with City Manager

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA –  The City of Charlottesville invites residents to participate in a series of Community Budget Forums hosted by the City Manager, offering an interactive and informative opportunity to learn about the City’s proposed FY27 budget and share priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Each forum will feature hands-on budget activities tied to City Council’s strategic outcome areas. Upon arrival, every community member will receive $10,000 in “Monopoly money” to allocate across stations representing those priorities, allowing participants to show where they believe City Council should focus spending in the next budget.

City staff will be available at each station to answer questions about how the budget supports City services, programs, and long-term goals.

At the conclusion of each forum, the allocated amounts will be totaled, and the City Manager will present the results to attendees. The combined feedback from all three forums will also be shared with City Council as a reflection of community priorities and input.

All forums will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and residents are welcome to attend any session.

Community Budget Forum Schedule:

Tuesday, January 13

  • CitySpace
  • 100 5th St NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902
  • 6:00–8:00 PM

Wednesday, January 14

  • Walker Upper Elementary School – Cafeteria
  • 1564 Dairy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
  • 6:00–8:00 PM

Thursday, January 15

  • Charlottesville Middle School – Cafeteria
  • 1000 Cherry Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
  • 6:00–8:00 PM


“These forums are about making the budget more transparent and giving residents a meaningful way to share their priorities,” said City Manager Sam Sanders. “By showing how people choose to invest these dollars, we gain valuable insight into what matters most to our community - and we’re committed to sharing that feedback directly with City Council.”

Additional information about the proposed budget can be found here and City Council’s strategic priorities can be found here.



Media Contact:
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
media@charlottesville.gov