Lynchburg Council Votes to Audit Official Pay Raises
The city council will solicit proposals for a forensic audit of pay increases occurring since July 2021.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in City Hall
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The Lynchburg City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday to seek proposals for an audit of official salary increases. The investigation will evaluate if pay raises of $100 or more were issued without the required council approval.
Why it matters
The measure aims to ensure transparency regarding city compensation and verify if administrative pay actions adhered to official oversight protocols. Officials intend to determine if any raises were granted in violation of the established city approval process.
The audit targets compensation increases of $100 or more that have occurred since July 2021. The approved resolution requires city staff to submit a formal request for proposals by the first council meeting in December.
The players
Chris Faraldi
He is a Lynchburg City Councilman who successfully introduced the substitute resolution that was ultimately passed by the council.
Marty Misjuns
He serves as a Lynchburg City Councilman and originally proposed the resolution to conduct a forensic audit of city pay practices.
The details
Councilman Chris Faraldi introduced a substitute resolution that successfully passed with a 4-3 vote, superseding an original forensic audit proposal from Councilman Marty Misjuns. City staff are now tasked with drafting the request for proposals to facilitate the comprehensive review.
Timeline
The audit covers pay increases dating back to July 2021.
A special rule governing the process was adopted during a council work session on October 20, 2026.
The city council officially passed the resolution on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
City staff must submit a request for proposals by the first council meeting in December 2026.
Political Context
The audit focuses on adherence to the Lynchburg City Charter's compensation approval requirements, which dictate how salaries must be authorized. Opponents of the measure may argue that such an investigation is redundant if existing administrative checks already satisfy the charter.
Taxpayers can expect potential clarity on how public funds were allocated toward official salaries over the past five years. The outcome of the audit could influence future discussions regarding municipal budget priorities and oversight procedures.
The takeaway
This action highlights the ongoing efforts of the council to scrutinize administrative spending and restore procedural integrity. Residents can monitor future council meetings to see how the audit results may impact municipal financial transparency.
Further reading
For more updates on local governance, visit City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSET.
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Do you support requiring independent forensic audits of your local government's internal pay raises?
