City of Staunton
Home MenuUpdates on City Response to COVID-19 Virus Week of April 13
APRIL 17, 2020:
Staunton Responds
City Manager Steve Rosenberg discusses the city’s ongoing response to COVID-19, including continuation of city services and programs, temporary relief concerning business taxes and water bills and conducting public meetings in a virtual format. Watch the video at https://youtu.be/rPrYOeERAL4.
Staunton High School Track Closure
Starting at 6 a.m. on May 11, the Staunton High School track will be closed for maintenance and resurfacing. The track is set to reopen at 7 a.m. on July 13. During the closure, residents are encouraged to walk at Gypsy Hill or Montgomery Hall parks.
Public Hearings for Budget, Water and Refuse Rate Increases
Citizens are encouraged to tune in to the City Council Work Session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, including a budget discussion with Staunton City Schools, and then again at 7:30 p.m. for the public hearings on the budget and water and refuse rate increases. For information on how to participate in the public hearings and to listen to the livestream, visit https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council. You can also listen on local cable channel 7.
Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.
APRIL 15, 2020:
Staunton Responds
In the midst of COVID-19, Mayor Carolyn Dull addresses the personal and professional impact the pandemic is having in the City of Staunton, the resiliency and creativity of the community in adapting, and the example set by residents, businesses, and city staff during this challenging time. View the video online at https://youtu.be/9IVJ1kBu3bA.
City Council Budget Work Session
Tomorrow night, April 16, 2020 at 5:30 p.m., City Council will be participating in an electronic meeting to discuss the FY 2021 budget. Residents can listen on line at https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council or on local cable channel 7.
Stimulus Payments Arriving Soon
For those who are expecting a stimulus payment, the IRS has created an online tool called Get My Payment, that can be used to check on the status of the payment. Your Social Security number, date of birth and mailing address are required in order to track your payment.
Volunteers Needed—Virginia Medical Reserve Corps
Medical and non-medical volunteers are needed to join the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps to help with the COVID-19 crisis across the state. The Governor’s office issued a press release encouraging students, those who may have recently lost their jobs and those with any kind of medical training to consider volunteering. The Corps also needs volunteers to help with administration, communication and technology, with no need for medical training. To learn more, see the press release at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/april/headline-856128-en.html.
Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.
APRIL 14, 2020:
Shenandoah Valley Social Services Update
Effective 8 a.m. on Monday, April 13, Shenandoah Valley Social Services (SVSS) closed its doors to the public. To help their clients continue to do business with the agency, SVSS has provided a fact sheet with pertinent information and/or new processes. Walk-in EBT (SNAP card) issuance will continue from 12 to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Staunton Public Library Update
For those who need access to the library’s main online resources but don’t have a Valley Libraries Connection (VLC) card, Staunton Public Library is allowing those people to sign up for a temporary card online. Visit www.valleylibraries.org to create an account and submit the online form. Then call the Staunton Public Library at 540.332.3902 to confirm submitted details over the phone and be assigned a library card number as a temporary user.
Information for Social Security Recipients
The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return. People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.
For Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries who do not have qualifying children under age 17, you do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.
The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.
April is National Safe Digging Month
As our nation’s hospitals, healthcare providers and first responders work tirelessly to treat those impacted by COVID-19, it is more important than ever that communities observe safe digging practices and avoid any additional strain on our emergency-response systems. Everyone is reminded that if any projects require digging, you must call 811 three days before shovels hit the soil to avoid encountering underground utilities.
If you plan to dig on your property, follow these important steps:
- Call before you dig. State law requires that before digging, you contact VA811 by dialing 811 or visiting https://va811.com/ to request to have your lines located at least three full working days before beginning any excavation work.
- Wait. At no cost to you, technicians will mark the location of the utility lines on your property while practicing safe social distancing and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Once all lines are marked, and you’ve checked the positive response, you can safely begin your digging project.
- Respect the markings for your safety. Dig at least two feet from all sides of the marks, not on them.
- Dig with care. If you accidentally hit a utility line, no matter how minor it may seem, leave the area. From a safe place, call 911.
Some utility lines can be buried at a shallow depth and hitting a buried utility line can cause a loss of, or damage to, life, health or property. Visit https://va811.com/ for more information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process.
Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.