City Workers Receive Pay Raises Due to Casino Tax Revenue from Caesars Virginia
Caesars Virginia opened a temporary gaming pavilion on May 15, 2023. In its first year of operations, the city of Danville, where the property resides, received over $18.86 million in taxes and payments from Caesars Entertainment.
This newfound tax revenue has been utilized to fund various local projects. The city's officials started by awarding pay raises to the majority of local government employees. According to a recent "Casino Revenues and Appropriations" document, Danville amassed a total of $18,863,613.22 from Caesars from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024.
Around $4.7 million was spent on redesigning the payment structure for the city's employees.
"All of our staff contribute to the services our community needs," said Danville's City Manager Ken Larking in an interview with WDBJ, the local news outlet that requested and received this data through the Freedom of Information Act. "We need to make a hands-on effort for everything we do, from parks and recreation to police, fire, public works, street maintenance, and more. To offer high-quality services, it costs more now than it used to."
Larking further explained that in order to hire the best employees, it's crucial to maintain competitive wages. Danville's city government positions are more attractive when they offer attractive salaries.
"We have 43,000 residents in Danville, and each one has their own opinions on how we should handle things," Larking said. "That's what democracy is all about."
The next sizable allocation of funds from the casino revenue went to a reserve account for emergencies, with $3.86 million being added.
K-12 public schools were granted $2.55 million, whilst $2.48 million was allocated for economic development.
One million dollars was set aside to relocate power lines along West Main Street underground, and yet another million was spent installing a splash pad at Third Avenue Park.
The police department was given $845K to upgrade their headquarters, and $800K was designated for blight projects. Tourism initiatives were granted $566,240, and the city's anti-gang and violence prevention program received $361,550. Additionally, $251,850 was allocated to their internship program.
Caesars Virginia's temporary casino, also known as the Danville Casino, has been exceeding the initial revenue expectations. Over the course of 11 months (May 2024 has yet to be divulged), the casino with 800 slots and 33 table games won an astounding $222 million from players.
The permanent $750 million integrated resort, named Caesars Virginia, will boast 320 hotel rooms, a casino including 1,300 slots, 85 table games, and a Caesars Sportsbook. It will also offer luxury amenities like a full-service spa, a pool complex, various restaurants and bars, a 2,500-seat concert venue, and a whopping 50,000 square feet of convention space.
The grand opening of the permanent facility is planned for later this year.
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