Cape Charles Town Council Adjusts Budget for $250k for Fire Engine

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Town Council approved a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment on October 17 to correct the funding source for a $250,000 contribution toward a new fire engine for the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company.

The amendment adjusts the fund appropriation for the town’s contribution, initially approved in response to a request from the fire company earlier this year. The original funding was drawn from the General Fund, but the town’s auditor later determined that the allocation should have come from the Capital Improvement Fund (CIP), where the last of the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were recorded.

Town staff had intended to use the fire engine contribution to fully utilize the remaining ARPA funds, but an internal accounting discrepancy required the adjustment to ensure accurate financial reporting.

This correction aligns the budget with the recent reserve status presentation included in the fiscal year 2026 draft budget, reflecting the appropriate allocation of funds and maintaining compliance with financial accounting standards.