By Jessica Dillon
Martinsville City Council met on May 12 to hear an update from the city’s human resources department and adopt the city’s 2026-28 strategic plan.
During the meeting, officials reviewed hiring statistics from the past year and discussed goals outlined in the plan, which emphasizes community development and long-term growth.
Human Resources Director Kimberly Robinson said the city hired 89 full- and part-time employees in 2025.
“When I say individuals, we hire city employees. Those are the employees under the purview of the city manager, our constitutional employees,” Robinson said.
Robinson said the city also recorded 76 employee separations, including retirements and voluntary departures.
“We’ve had 25 terminations in the first three months of this year,” she said, adding that the city also hired 25 new employees during that period.
Robinson said the city faces several hiring challenges, including rising health care costs, remaining competitive in the job market, and the loss of institutional knowledge as longtime employees retire.
“We have our department heads or our managers gathering the information” from employees before they retire, Robinson said. “Being able to gather that information before that person leaves and then being able to train an existing employee or get a new employee in who can kind of bridge that gap.”
Robinson also addressed issues identified in a recent audit involving missing employee information.
“So not only did we find the six people that had been indicated in the audit, but we also found 50 other employees who, for whatever rhyme or reason, were not included,” she said. “They have now been included, and we’re ensuring we’re including all applications.”
Council also reviewed the city’s comprehensive plan.
Deputy City Clerk Peyton Niblett highlighted several priorities included in the plan, including improving state services, increasing neighborhood pride and connectivity, boosting resident engagement initiatives, expanding tourism and marketing efforts, and improving paving, power restoration and snow removal.
The plan is intended to create a shared framework for the city’s future development.
“Southside Virginia is seeing new investment, new energy,” Niblett said. “Martinsville sits right in the middle of that moment.”
Niblett said the city’s future growth will require collaboration among local government, businesses, organizations, and community institutions.
“There are a lot of people” working toward “the same goal, a stronger, growing Martinsville,” Niblett said.
Council also approved a public hearing for the city manager’s proposed budget for May 26 and made appointments to several city boards. A public hearing regarding school board appointments was also held.
The council also presented awards and recognitions:
Hailey Coleman received the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” contest award for her winning essay.
A proclamation honored Martinsville High School student Zay Tinsley for achievements in basketball.
Council recognized the 70th anniversary of the Martinsville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
A proclamation recognized May as Business Appreciation Month and was presented to Theresa Walsh of Walsh’s Chicken & More.
