The Clerk of Circuit Court applied for State Library of Virginia Record Preservation Grant funds during last fiscal year in the amount of $46,405.00.  Those funds were awarded in the Spring of 2023, and will be received by December 31, 2023.

On November 28, 2023, staff requested appropriation of State Library of Virginia Record Preservation Grant funds of $29,879.09 in error.  Grant funds in that amount have been applied for, however, the award will not be considered until March 2023.

Staff is requesting rescission of action taken on November 28, 2023, and approval of an appropriation for the corrected amount and appropriate grant cycle {$46,405 which will be received by December 31, 2023}.

Action Requested:  Rescind appropriation approved on November 28, 2023, and substitute corrected appropriation of $46,405.00 for this fiscal year's grant cycle.

The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) is a federal-state partnership authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill to promote and encourage economic development in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. SCRC through the State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) Grant Program invests in projects that support basic infrastructure, business development, natural resources, and workforce/labor development. SCRC’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those who reside in the 428 counties of the seven-state region.

SCRC has received $20 million of Federal funding to further its mission of realizing economic growth and stability for local communities. The funding range for eligible projects is $50,000 to $500,000. 

The County must match the amount of funding received. Other federal funding sources are permitted, up to 80% of the total project costs.  

The County submitted a pre-application in September identifying the following projects:

1. Water Transmission Main Appomattox River Crossing
2. River Road Tank and Booster Station
3. River Road Transmission Mains

In November, we received an invitation to complete the full application. The application can be for only one of the above projects. Staff recommends an application for the Water Transmission Main Appomattox River Crossing project. Based on the engineer’s opinion of probable cost for this project, the County’s maximum obligation is expected to be $560,000.

Full applications due by December 15, 2023. SCRC anticipate the notification of awards in February 2024.

Staff is seeking Board authorization to submit an application for grant funding through SCRC to offset the cost of the Water Transmission Main Appomattox River Crossing project.

If awarded, the County will receive around $3,097,712 in grant funds toward broadband expansion in unserved areas. The program requires a ten (10) percent match of the total project cost from the locality. The Economic Development Unreserved Fund Balance (Meals Tax) will be utilized for the match totaling $387,214.

The Economic Development and Tourism Department (Department) is seeking authorization to submit an application to the Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant. The Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant is a program to assist localities with broadband expansion.     

The Department is applying to the Cameron Foundation for a total of $193,606.

If awarded, the Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant will assist with the ten (10) percent match that is required under the FY24 Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) program through the Department of Housing and Community Development.

There is no match requirement for this grant.

Board Action Requested:

Authorize the Department to submit an application for the Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant.

A draft resolution for the authorization is attached for Board consideration.

If the County receives awarding from VATI, the Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant will assist with the ten (10) percent match required. $193,606.

The Economic Development and Tourism Department (Department) is seeking authorization to submit an application to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP). The VBRSP is a discretionary program to promote development and characterization of sites to enhance the Commonwealth’s infrastructure and promote its competitive business environment. The program’s goal is to identify and assess the readiness of potential industrial sites of at least 100 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia (the “Commonwealth”) or 50 acres in GO Virginia Region 1 or 2 for marketing in alignment with the goals outlined in the Governor's economic development plan.   

On September 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the 2022 County Strategic Plan that identifies a new Sewage Pump Station and Force Main project as a strategic priority for infrastructure upgrades, economic development and prosperity.

The Department would like to apply to the VBRSP for the Sewage Pump Station and Force Main project that will serve the future wastewater needs of the Crosspointe Business Park. Currently, there is minimal wastewater capacity available for growth within the park. The Silverman Group, owners of Crosspointe Business Park, are conducting due diligence reports for the site. With the completion of site due diligence reports and available water and wastewater capacities, the Crosspointe Business Park will be a “shovel ready” site for business prospects.

The project cost for the Sewage Pump Station and Force Main is estimated to be around $30,000,000. The Silverman Group has expressed that 2 million gallons of wastewater per day is needed for their development. The program requires a three-one (3:1) ratio of award to required local match, the award would total $15,000,000 and local match of $5,000,000. The $5,000,000 match and remaining costs of the project will be covered by the issuance of debt that will be repaid by the Utility’s Debt Service Fund (project previously identified for debt issuance with an estimate of approximately $28.3M).

If awarded, an agreement with the VEDP and the Silverman Group, owners of Crosspointe Centre, will be required and brought forth for approval.  

Board Action Requested:

Authorize the Department to submit an application for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program.

Program Timeline

Final application due – January 11, 2024

Application Review – January – February 2024

Site Tours – April 2024

The Prince George County Public Utility has identified necessary water system improvements at Route 301 / Exit 45 as a capital improvement project estimated at $1,500,000.  The first component of this project is the well construction and testing to determine potential water treatment options and maximum yield the well will provide.  Future components of the project are the design and construction of the well house to include potential water treatment requirements identified during the well testing.

Recent permitting efforts allow for a new well installation near the elevated water tank on South Crater Road. The new well will increase the groundwater withdrawal capacity and allow for future commercial and residential growth in the area. The existing wells that serve the water system are privately-owned and operated by the County through agreements with each owner. The new well will be county-owned providing better operational control of the entire water system. 

On October 17, 2023, an Invitation for Bid #24-05-0103 for the Route 301 Well Construction was issued to solicit well drilling, construction, and testing services (the first project component).  The IFB closed on November 21, 2023, and three bids were received.  The lowest responsive bid was received from Toano Well and Pump Services, Inc. at $139,000.  Contractors were required to provide alternative bid for multiple options for the construction of the well casing:

1. 6" PVC well casing

2. 8" PVC well casing

3. 6" steel well casing

4. 8" steel well casing

A summary of the bid response summary is attached. The apparent low bid was submitted by Toano Well and Pump Services, Inc. for $139,000.00. 

The County’s engineering consultant, Timmons Group, has evaluated the bid and checked references for the contractor. Their recommendation to award to Toano Well and Pump Services, Inc. is attached.

Funding is available within the Utilities Capital Fund to accommodate this project component in the FY2024 budget, with a line-item budget transfer within the Utility Capital Fund, and no increase in appropriation.  Future components will require debt issuance, and debt repayment will be supported by an annual transfer from the Tourism Fund.

REQUESTED BUDGET TRANSFER

FUND/ORGANIZATION                                                                                             AMOUNT

Utilities Capital Fund (0620)

Expenditures:

0620-04-104-7004-49357    Route 301 / Exit 45 Debt Service Principal                     $74,912.00 (decrease)

0620-04-104-7004-49358    Route 301 / Exit 45 Debt Service Interest                      $60,000.00 (decrease)

0620-04-104-7016-48406    Utilities Capital Water Facility Improvements                  $134,912.00 (increase)

The remaining $4,088.00 of the $139,000 award is available within account 0620-04-104-7016-48406, Utilities Capital Water Facility Improvements.

Localities are required to submit their audited financial statements to the Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) on or before December 15 annually in accordance with Section 15.2-2510 of the Code of Virginia.

Section 15.2-2510 of the Code of Virginia also states that the local governing body shall submit a notarized certification stating that the audited financial report has been presented to the governing body (see page 9 of the attached APA Transmittal Update).

The certification is to be signed by the chief elected official (Board Chairman) and the chief administrative officer (County Administrator).  The template designed by the Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) was used to prepare the attached certification.

No

The applicant is requesting a special exception for a large-scale solar energy facility to be developed on approximately 506 acres of parcels totaling approximately 1,270 acres. The project is further described in the attached application materials.

Section 15.2232 of the Code of Virginia requires a determination by the Planning Commission (“PC”) that the proposed facility is in “substantial accord” with the Comprehensive Plan. This must be done before the special exception request can be considered.

On October 26, 2023, the PC held a public hearing and made a determination by a 7-0 vote that the proposed facility is NOT in substantial accord. The reason provided for the determination was:

It does not adhere to the general guidance of the Comprehensive Plan including the Solar Energy Facility Siting Policy, specifically: to avoid the Prince George Planning Area.

The applicant has appealed to the BOS.

The appeal materials are attached to this report and staff comments in response to the appeal are provided in the report.

Public Hearing held Oct. 26, 2023 (Determined NOT in Substantial Accord by 7-0 vote)

Contents:  

1. BOS Staff Report
2. Table showing location & acreage of approved and proposed solar sites in PG
3. PC Resolution   
4. Appeal Materials submitted by applicant
5. Application with attachments
6. Public notices