Proposed Easement to VDOT for utility relocation - Route 460 & Queen Street

Approval of Right of Way Agreement for Virginia Electric and Power Company to install underground lines for electricity

The Economic Development and Tourism Department (Department) is seeking authorization to submit an application to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Brownfields Restoration & Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF). The VBAF Program is targeted toward projects or phases of work associated with the restoration and redevelopment of brownfield sites that by their completion will generate additional private investment and job creation in the immediate future.

On June 30, 2023, the Prince George County School Board transferred the Walton Elementary School (property) by deed to the Prince George County Board of Supervisors. The property, located at 4101 Courthouse Road, served as a school and was built in 1960.

The Department would like to apply to the VBAF to partially fund an environmental assessment. This assessment will be conducted in order to provide an evaluation with respect to the presence or absence of asbestos to comply with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants  [40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61, Subpart M], Occupational Safety and Health Administration (including 29 CFR 1926.1101(k)(5)), Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation , and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry regulations which require a thorough asbestos survey of portions of the buildings anticipated to be impacted by planned work to be conducted prior to the commencement of renovation and/or demolition activities.

Per a proposal given by Dewberry, the environmental assessment cost totals $109,166. The VBAF Site Assessment and Planning Grant maximum funding is up to $50,000.

If awarded, the County will be responsible for a 100% local match and be required to enter into a performance agreement with VEDP.  The recommended funding source for the local match is Economic Development Fund, Fund Balance.

Board Action Requested:

Authorize the County Administrator to submit an application for the VBAF.

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

The Department of Engineering and Utilities annually reviews the expected revenues and expenditures to determines the appropriate rate adjustments necessary to purchase needed equipment and supplies, maintain existing utilities assets, and to cover inflationary increases.

The current recommendations include 3% increase to the tiers 2 and 3 water user charges, a 1% increase in sewer user charges, adjustments to the minimum monthly charges and rate blocks, and increases to the water and wastewater connection fees for new customers. This recommendation is to ensure fair and equitable rates to all ratepayers that are adequate to cover the projected costs of the utility and maintain responsible reserves for unexpected and future costs.

A draft of the ordinance amendments are provided. The proposed adjustments would be effective July 1, 2024.

Amendments to Chapter 82 of the County Code of Ordinances are required to revise water and wastewater connection fees and user charges. Prior to amendments of the code, a public hearing must be held. Therefore, staffs requests authorization to hold a public hearing on April 23, 2024 to amend and reenact The Code of Prince George County, Virginia, 2005, as amended, by amending sections 82-261, 82-262, 82-536, and 82-537 to revise water and wastewater connection fees and user charges.

The County must engage in services to evaluate and reconfigure the Vision CAMA database tables to reflect current market conditions.  An update to the value of all real property for an effective date of January 1, 2025 is also necessary.

Vision Government Solutions is the County's Assessment CAMA software provider.  They have submitted a proposal for needed system evaluation, system reconfiguring, and assessment services for a base price of $475,000.00.  Their proposal is provided as an attachment.  These services are one-time in nature, and staff recommends an appropriation of unreserved General Fund, Fund Balance of $475,000.00 to pay for these unbudgeted services.

Vision proposes a cost of $1,200 per day plus travel expenses for defense of values (litigation, Board of Equalization, litigation preparation and narrative reports).  Theses defenses will occur in FY 2025, and staff recommends use of $20,000 proposed in the FY 2025 budget for Assessment software services.  No appropriation is currently requested for these defense of value services.

Board action requested:

Authorize County Administrator to execute a contract with Vision Government Solutions for needed system evaluation, system reconfiguring, and assessment services for a base price not to exceed $475,000.00.

Authorize an appropriation of unreserved General Fund, Fund Balance of $475,000.00 for these unbudgeted services.

Authorize defense of values services at $1,200 per day plus travel expenses as needed; these defense of value services and expenses will be paid for from the FY2025 budget.

Budget Appropriation Entry:

General Fund

Expenditures

0100-01-002-0401-00000-000-000-000-43101 - Assessor Professional Service $475,000.00 Increase

Revenues

0100-40-900-8208-00000-000-000-000-399999 - General Fund, Fund Balance $475,000.00 Increase

The audited fund balance at June 30, 2023, was $41,173,235 (31.7% of FY 2023 expenditures); and $920,039.75 has been appropriated to date in FY 2024 (FY 2023 purchase orders - $221,311.38; grants & donations carried forward - $590,552.37; school transfer to health fund - $54,814.00; and for retroactive firefighter-medic overtime - $53,362.00).