Town Manager Forges Ahead with Vision for Front Royal

In what has been a discussion unfolding for several months, wherein the Front Royal Town Council, with execution from Town Manager Joe Waltz, has clarified a vision statement, a mission statement, and a list of goals for themselves, some of which have already been realized, the moving parts of Town government can be seen clicking towards a conclusion. On Monday, April 1 in a work session at Town Hall on 102 East Main Street which began at 7 p.m., Waltz distributed a significantly tightened version of a goals and action plan that has roots in the discussion going back to the council’s retreat in January where the contents were initially collected.

Town Council meets for Monday night work session. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

One objective that has already been nailed is the 2023 Annual Report which can be found on the town website. It includes a letter from Waltz in which he articulates the motive power behind the report, which includes a review of the Town’s many departments, as well as the driving force behind the goal-setting agenda. “There have been many goals set over the last several years,” he writes, “that align well with the Town’s vision and priorities. As we move into the next budget cycle, we will continue to implement the Town Council’s top priorities, and balance current revenues and expenses while maintaining acceptable reserve levels. The 2024 operating budget will create a foundation to maintain a balanced budget in future years while still maintaining the highest quality of services.”

: Director of Finance B.J. Wilson discusses issues pertaining to the Town’s budget with the council.

This focus on the budget is applicable to the third item on the goals and action plan, located under the banner of promoting community and economic well-being: “Provide FREDA [Front Royal Economic Development Authority] a revenue source or funding to function on behalf of the Town to promote economic growth and development in the community by December 31, 2024.” That potential growth is tempered by the awareness expressed in other bulleted items of the ongoing need to enforce the Town’s property maintenance code and in extreme cases to develop a strategy for addressing blighted and derelict buildings. Thus, the town finds itself in a position of conserving resources on the one hand while growing resources on the other.

Marisa Whitacre of Greenway Engineering answers the council’s questions pertaining to an out-of-town water and septic service request.

After reviewing the plan bullet point by bullet point, since it was the final item on the council’s open agenda, they went into a closed meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Town Council Meeting of April 1, 2024.