Things You Can Do
April 21 Redistricting Referendum
What: Virginia voters decide whether to let the legislature redraw congressional maps mid-decade — bypassing the bipartisan commission voters created in 2020.
Why you care: The proposed new map would hand Democrats 10 of 11 congressional seats on ~53% of the vote — the most extreme partisan gerrymander in the country by vote-seat gap. The commission system was literally built to prevent exactly this. Your vote decides whether politicians or an independent process draw the lines.
See the full analysis — including the data on why this is a power grab →Tell the city how to spend $558K in federal grants
What: The city is distributing Community Development Block Grant money — federal funds earmarked for low- and moderate-income residents. Proposed projects include homeowner utility repairs, school zone signage, a basketball court at Ralph Samson Park, an ADA sidewalk at Morrison Park, a new economic empowerment program, and Meals on Wheels.
Why you care: This is federal money coming into your city. The city decides where it goes, and you get 30 days to weigh in. If you think a neighborhood need is being missed — a park fix, sidewalk, housing repair program — now is the time to say so. Comments due April 27 at 9 AM.
Contact the city manager's office →Plant trees at Stone Springs Elementary — April 11
What: Community volunteers will plant 12 trees behind Stone Springs Elementary to build out an outdoor learning space. Part of Arbor Day (April 24) and the Black's Run Coalition's ongoing work.
Why you care: It's a morning of tree planting at a local school. Low commitment, tangible result.
Link Apartments — City Council vote coming soon
What: A developer wants to build a six-story, 250-unit mixed-use apartment building on the former Lindsay Funeral Home site on N. Main St. The Planning Commission approved it 6-1. City Council makes the final rezoning call.
Why you care: This is the biggest downtown land use decision in years. One longtime resident showed up at this meeting specifically to oppose it — he's worried about traffic, parking, and the character of N. Main. Whether you agree or not, this is your last real chance to speak before the vote. Public comment is open at the City Council hearing.
City Council meeting calendar →What Council Decided — and Why It Matters
Financial management policies updated
Council updated the rules that govern how the city borrows and spends money — last overhauled in 2014. Changes include condition-based road and bridge maintenance (instead of fixed 15-year cycles), tighter debt limits for water/sewer funds, and a new plan-of-correction requirement if the city falls out of compliance.
Why it matters: Harrisonburg's credit rating is partly built on these policies. At 2.5% debt-to-assessed-value (vs. an allowed 10%), the city borrows at lower interest rates than most Virginia cities. That gap saves real money — more of your tax dollars go to services, less to interest.
Build Our Park gets option for public-private construction
The nonprofit building the downtown park next to City Hall can now optionally use Virginia's PPEA law, which lets private partners (contractors, material suppliers) donate labor and goods rather than going through standard city procurement.
Why it matters: The park is privately funded — your taxes aren't paying for it. This change could let the project get built cheaper by using donated contractor work. If anything goes wrong mid-construction, performance bonds cover the city. Council still approves every step.
City turns farm property into Chesapeake Bay pollution credits
The city bought a farm off Port Road years ago for a water line project. Now that's done, they're splitting it: stormwater fund pays $980K for the open fields to plant more trees; general fund pays $476K for the front parcel with the house. 3,000 trees already planted.
Why it matters: Virginia governments are legally required to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the Chesapeake Bay — and those compliance costs can be enormous. By planting trees on this land, Harrisonburg earns pollution-reduction credits worth more than the land cost. It's a creative way to meet a legal mandate and potentially save money compared to other compliance options.
School HVAC: leftover Rocktown money going to elementary schools
Rocktown High School construction is complete, leaving ~$1.5M in the project account. Council reallocated those funds to replace a boiler at Harrisonburg High School and air handlers at Bossman, Keister, and Waterman elementaries.
Why it matters: Aging HVAC in schools means bad air quality and unreliable heating. Kids and teachers in those buildings get better conditions. The money was already approved and sitting unused — this just redirects it to the next need.
Schools get $1.4M in additional state and federal funding
Harrisonburg City Schools received more state and federal education funding than initially budgeted. Council appropriated it so the schools can actually spend it.
Why it matters: More money for schools without raising local taxes. The funds are restricted to education uses.
Ryan Silver appointed to Economic Development Advisory Committee
Recommended by the Economic Development Director. Council was impressed with her application and experience.
Why it matters: This committee advises on how the city attracts and supports businesses. New members shape those recommendations.
Federal Legislation to Watch
Council flagged these bills at the NLC Congressional City Summit as directly relevant to Harrisonburg.
SAVE America Act
ConcernWould remove voters from rolls. Vice Mayor Fleming attended the NLC Congressional Summit and is urging Harrisonburg residents to contact their Congressional representatives to oppose it. If you're a registered voter, this bill could affect whether you stay registered.
Road to Housing Act
Passed Senate 89-0Bipartisan housing bill (Warren + Scott) now in House-Senate conference. Voluntary incentive grants for cities — no federal mandates. Harrisonburg has a housing affordability problem; this could open grant money to help.
Streamlining Federal Grants Act
In progressThousands of separate federal grant portals make it hard for small cities to find and apply for funding. This bill would consolidate them. Harrisonburg could access more grants with less staff time.
BASICS Act (Transportation)
In progressWould expand competitive federal transit grants, modeled on Virginia's own SMART SCALE system. Harrisonburg has real multimodal transportation needs — more federal money would help fund them.