Lexington Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Nicholas A.
Betts
Nicholas A. Betts is running for mayor of Lexington in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against David G. Sigler.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Nicholas A. BettsYou’re reading
- 02David G. Sigler
Background
- About
- Practicing attorney in Lexington, elected to City Council in 2022. He served on the city's planning commission for a year and a half, including six months as vice chair, and serves on the Threshold Housing Commission and the Rockbridge Area Regional Tourism Board.
Nicholas A. Betts is not running for re-election to City Council. The Ring-tum Phi · Oct 19, 2026
On the record: Nicholas A. Betts
11 sourced01Taxes and budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the fiscal year 2027 budget, which set the real estate tax rate at $0.704 per $100, down from $0.92 (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as told to The News-Gazette
Said the city should review its current debt obligations with staff and use that to budget for necessary projects.
Own statementThe News-GazetteLink
02Council pay1 sourced position
Moved and voted yes on Ordinance 2026-08 raising future council pay to $8,400 for the mayor and $7,200 for members, effective July 2027 (passed 5-0, one abstention, June 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026Link
03Regional projects1 sourced position
as told to The News-Gazette
Called for open communication with Rockbridge County and Buena Vista to plan budgets for shared projects such as the high school and the jail.
We have good regional cooperation and it will be important to continue this as we work together to fund any necessary updates at the high school, the jail and elsewhere as needed”
Own statementThe News-GazetteLink
04Leading council1 sourced position
as reported by The News-Gazette; not a direct quote
Said that as mayor he would hold work sessions whenever possible on controversial issues so all council members and the public are heard before votes.
Forum answerThe News-GazetteLink
05Why he is running1 sourced position
as told to The News-Gazette
Said he is running for mayor partly to keep council membership stable for the next two years.
Own statementThe News-GazetteLink
06School sales tax1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-14, referring a 1% local sales tax for school construction to the November 3, 2026 ballot (passed 6-0, July 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Housing2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-05, deleting the zoning requirement that townhouses front on or be accessed by a public street (passed 6-0, April 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, April 16, 2026 · Apr 16, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Moved and voted yes on Resolution 2026-13 to start a zoning amendment adding a Planned Development-Residential district (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, June 18, 2026 · Jun 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Health department building1 sourced position
Moved and voted yes to establish a Virginia Department of Health building on the CJ Morrison Drive site as a future capital project (passed 6-0, September 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, September 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026Link
09Comprehensive plan1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-17 adopting the Lexington Comprehensive Plan 2045 (passed 6-0, October 2026).
Council voteLexington City Council minutes, October 1, 2026 · Oct 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
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