[A. Call to Order (6:00 pm)]
[00:00:05]
>> GOOD EVENING. TODAY IS MARCH THE 11TH OF 2025.
IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR REGULAR BOARD MEETING.
WE'LL START TONIGHT WITH A ROLL CALL. MS. KNOTT?
>> THANK YOU. NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS THE ADOPTION OF OUR AGENDA.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. PUGH AND SECOND BY MS. WYMACK THAT WE WOULD ADOPT THE AGENDA AS SO PRESENTED.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MS. KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> YES. WELL NOW MOVE INTO THE BUSINESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
[B. Business Meeting]
I WILL DO THE BOARD'S INVOCATION, AND THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MR. COX WHO WILL DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS EVENING TO SAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE ON ANOTHER DAY TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK YOU THIS EVENING TO WATCH OVER ALL OF OUR FIRE OR POLICE OR EMS, ALL OF THE CITIZENS HERE IN THE COUNTY, ALL OF THOSE THAT WORK HERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE FOLKS FACE DANGER EACH AND EVERY DAY AT EACH AND EVERY MOMENT, AND WE JUST ASK YOU TO PROTECT THEM AND AND ALLOW EVERYONE TO COME BACK HOME SAFELY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ALSO KNOW THIS EVENING THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS, AND WE ASK YOU TO WATCH OVER EACH AND EVERYONE, HEAVENLY FATHER, AS YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO WOULD KNOW WHAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US ARE GOING THROUGH.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK YOU THIS EVENING TO WATCH OVER THIS BOARD AS WE GO THROUGH VARIOUS BUSINESS MATTERS, AND WE TRY TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY AND FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS.
WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN YOUR NAME, AMEN.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
PUBLIC COMMENT IS WHERE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO COME UP AND BRING MATTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF THIS BOARD.
THE ONLY THING THAT WE WOULD ASK YOU NOT TO BRING UP TO DISCUSS IS ANYTHING THAT IS LISTED AS OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
WHEN YOU COME UP, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, AND THE TIME WILL START AS YOU START YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS WILLIAM STEEL AT 9921 COUNTY LINE ROAD.
MR. BROWN, I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY MEETING THAT WE HELD ON FRIDAY.
I THINK WE HAD A VERY GOOD 2A DISCUSSION, AND I THINK WAS AN INSIGHTFUL FOR BOTH SIDES, SO WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO DO THAT.
I ALSO NEED TO EXTEND A THANK YOU TO MISS AIRD AND MISS BETSY.
I ASKED FOR A CERTAIN INFORMATION, AND ONCE I GOT CLEARANCE, THEY WERE QUICKLY TO RESPOND WITH THE INFORMATION.
I THINK THAT'S VERY INSIGHTFUL OR VERY HELPFUL THAT WE ARE THE CITIZENS CAN COME TO OUR ADMINISTRATION AND BOARD, ASK FOR QUESTIONS AND GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED FAIRLY QUICKLY.
WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO DO A SIMILAR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE COMMUNITY MEETINGS VERY OFTEN IN THE DISPUTANTA GREATER AREA.
WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO DO IT IN DISTRICT 2.
I FELT A LITTLE STRANGE ABOUT DOING THAT BECAUSE I'M IN DISTRICT 1, BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MEETING IN DISTRICT 2 OR AT LEAST GOING TO PUT IT, SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE DISTRICT 2 REPS. OF COURSE, I KNOW YOU CAN ONLY HAVE TWO OF YOU.
BUT THEY WERE LOOKING AT A SATURDAY, EITHER THIS SATURDAY OR NEXT SATURDAY.
BUT BECAUSE THE BUDGET IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US ALL, BECAUSE AFTER ALL, WE'RE THE ONES THAT ARE PAYING FOR YOUR DECISION, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FAIRLY QUICKLY ON IT, SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU NOW, AT LEAST THE THREE OF YOU FROM DISTRICT 2, IF YOU WILL TRY TO PENCIL SOMETHING IN MAYBE THIS SATURDAY OR NEXT SATURDAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM FOLKS LIVING IN DISTRICT 2.
JUST A HEADS UP. I'LL GET WITH YOU BACK ON THAT.
ANYWAY, IN CLOSING, MR. CHAIRMAN, JUST NEED TO THANK YOU, THANK FOR THE CITIZENS THAT ATTENDED.
AT LEAST IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GETTING SOME MORE CITIZEN ATTENTION, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE SEEN IN THIS COUNTY IN QUITE A WHILE.
I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE IS WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, GUYS, AND WE'RE MAKING NOISE ABOUT IT, SO I HOPE YOU DO THE TAXPAYER RIGHT THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CHAIRMAN.
[00:05:01]
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. STEEL.
>> I WOULD BE SURPRISED. IF I COULD MAKE A MOTION, WE ADJOURNED PICNIC TABLES OUT AT THE FARMERS MARKET.
>> JIM QUEST 9807 COUNTY LINE ROAD.
I GOT TWO QUICK POINTS BECAUSE COVERED ONE ON BEFORE THE MEET STARTED.
MY MAIN BUDGET QUESTION, AND A BIG THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL TO MR. STUDER.
MISS DREY, WHO MADE THE PRESENTATION THE OTHER WEEK.
THAT WAS THE MOST TRANSPARENT BUDGET I'VE EVER SEEN IN TERMS OF A PRESENTATION.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT.
HERE'S MY POINT, THOUGH, 27 PAGES OF VERY TRANSPARENT BUDGET, BUT THERE'S ZERO CUTS.
IN THIS TIME OF DOGE AND BEING FISCALLY MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONSERVATIVE, I SEE THE ONE TIME GRANTS HAS SHOWN AS DELETES, AND THERE'S EVEN SOME AD DELETES THAT NET THEMSELVES OUT.
BUT NOTHING ELSE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S BUDGET COULD BE REDUCED.
SINCE I RETIRED, I'M BUYING GENERIC FOOD.
I DRIVE LESS. I TURN DOWN A THERMOSTAT TO 64.
I'M BUYING DAY OLD BREAD, AND MY CROPS WILL PROBABLY GO WITHOUT FERTILIZER THIS YEAR, SO I CAN TRY AND BREAK EVEN ON THIS LITTLE FARM.
THE FACT THAT MY COUNTY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO CUT IS QUESTIONABLE. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE NOT A SINGLE CATEGORY OF SPENDING COULD HANDLE A REDUCTION? YOU DON'T JUST DELETE EVERYTHING, BUT NO REDUCTIONS AT ALL.
THERE'S NO THERMOSTATS THAT COULD BE TURNED BACK.
THERE'S NO SWEATERS THAT COULD BE PUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING.
NUMBER 2, TO HELP PROVE MY PREVIOUS POINT AND A COMPLETELY TONE DEAF DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE HEADING OF NON SALARY REQUESTS.
THE TWO NEWEST MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD REQUESTED THEMSELVES A 92% PAY INCREASE.
THESE TWO BOARD MEMBERS PRIORITIZE GRABBING THEMSELVES A DOUBLING OF COMPENSATION OVER THE POCKETS OF TAXPAYING CITIZENS DURING THEIR CURRENT TERM.
IT MIGHT BE COMPLETELY LEGAL TO DO IT, BUT PAY INCREASES SHOULD BE PART OF A PUBLIC HEARING OR ON THE BALLOT COME ELECTION DAY.
I UNDERSTAND COMPENSATION HAS NOT BEEN ADJUSTED IN A LONG TIME, BUT THIS IS EMBARRASSING.
YOU TWO KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT.
I SUGGEST IF ALL RAN YOUR CAMPAIGNS ON DOUBLING YOUR COMPENSATION, THE ELECTION RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DIFFERENT.
I SUGGEST ALSO, IF Y'ALL RUN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE BRING IT UP AS A CAMPAIGN PLANK, 'CAUSE I, FOR ONE, AREN'T GOING TO FORGET.
OH, I GOT PLENTY OF TIME. GO AHEAD, SIR.
LET'S SEE WHAT THE PG CITIZENS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT DOING THIS IN THE LIGHT OF DAY.
INSTEAD OF MAKING IT THE LAST ENTRY ON A 24 PAGE SPREADSHEET BURIED ON THE LAST PAGE UNDER NON SALARY REQUESTS.
Y'ALL CAN DO BETTER. PLEASE TRY. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS JUSTIN KOBLIN, 8724 CENTENNIAL ROAD.
I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE BOARD.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CRITICISM CONSTANTLY.
BUT I WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTY RECENTLY AND WATCHED ANOTHER BOARD DO WHAT Y'ALL DO.
THERE WAS NO INVOCATION. THERE WAS NO PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, THERE WAS NO THREE LIMIT TIME LIMIT, AND IT WAS A TRAIN WRECK.
THERE WERE ARGUMENTS DURING SPEECHES BETWEEN BOARD MEMBERS, BETWEEN HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, BETWEEN EVERYBODY.
AT ONE POINT, THERE WAS SIX PEOPLE ARGUING, ALL AT THE SAME TIME ABOUT ABSOLUTE NONSENSE.
THE MEETING LASTED 2.5 HOURS, AND I DON'T THINK ANYTHING GOT DONE.
I DO CONGRATULATE ALL ON CARRYING BUSINESS OUT THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
LAST NIGHT, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SHOCK TO A LOT OF CITIZENS IN THE COUNTY WITH THE NEW ASSESSMENTS ROLLING OUT FROM VISION.
I THINK IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT FIRST APPEARED.
JERRY STILL OUT ON THAT, BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO START THROWING STONES YET.
I'VE BEEN GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO GET A MEETING WITH VISION TOMORROW AT 9:00 AM.
MY PROPERTY WENT UP $275,000 OVERNIGHT.
I'VE GOT ANOTHER PROPERTY THAT WENT UP, I THINK, ABOUT $55,000.
I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF RESIDENTS THAT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED.
WE'RE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE INDICATING FACTORS,
[00:10:03]
THE ADJUSTMENT FACTORS NOT BEING APPLIED THE WAY THEY'RE SPED.WE'VE JUST NUMEROUS ISSUES ACROSS THE BOARD ON IT.
I'VE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENTS.
I'VE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS, I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND EVERYBODY SEEMS ON BOARD TO GET THIS DIRECTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
IT'S THE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS THAT IT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS GO AROUND.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S STILL WAY TOO EARLY TO START MAKING ACCUSATIONS AND THROWING STONES.
I'M GOING TO BE ANSWERING PHONE CALLS TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE.
THEY SEEM TO REACH OUT TO ME QUITE OFTEN ON THE ASSESSMENT ISSUES, AND I TRY TO HELP AS DILIGENTLY AS I CAN.
I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO KEEP YOU ALL UP TO DATE ON WHO CALLS AND WHAT THEIR PROBLEMS ARE AND REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT NEED TO BE REACHED OUT TO.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU ALL AWARE THAT THE NEW ONES CAME OUT AND IT WAS A ROUGH ROAD THE FIRST TWO OR THREE HOURS.
I GOT QUITE A FEW PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS ALL DAY TO DAY ON THE SAME SITUATION.
THE SAME GROUP THAT LOOKED INTO IT LAST TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO PULL AS MUCH DATA AS WE CAN AND TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AS FAIR AND ACCURATE AND LET ALL KNOW PROBABLY IN THE NEXT MEETING WHAT WE SEE. Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO BRING A MATTER TO ATTENTION TO THE BOARD?
>> LEYLA MYERS 8711 SECOND COURT DISPUTANA 23842.
WE'RE IN A BUDGET SESSION SEASON, AND STILL PRINCE GEORGE FOR DECADES DOESN'T HAVE A LINE ITEM IN ITS BUDGET TO ACCOUNT FOR $30,000 COLLECTED, PUT IN A GENERAL FUND, AND SPENT, BUT WE CAN'T AUDIT HOW IT'S SPENT.
WE CAN'T AUDIT WHETHER IT'S SPENT OR WHEN IT'S DESIGNED TO BE SPENT.
THE STATE CODE SPECIFICALLY SAYS WHAT IT SHOULD BE SPENT ON.
I'VE TOLD YOU FOR YEARS, PLEASE CREATE A LINE ITEM FOR $30,000 THAT ARE BEING PUT IN INTO A GENERAL FUND.
I STILL DON'T SEE THE GENERAL FUND HAVING A LINE ITEM.
WE CANNOT KNOW WHETHER THIS YEAR, THE $30,000 WILL BE SPENT THE RIGHT WAY OR THE WRONG WAY. CAN'T AUDIT IT.
EVERY YEAR, CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT FEES CONTAINS A LOCAL PORTION.
EVERY YEAR, PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, FOR THE LAST YEARS THAT I'VE TRACKED, DEPOSITS $30,000 INTO A GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S ABOUT THE END OF THE TRACK LINE.
THE STATE CODE CLEARLY SAYS, IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE USED. IT'S SPELLED OUT.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S PROPERLY DONE.
IT IS DEFINITELY NOT INTENDED TO BE USED TO CREATE ANY NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS, ANY BENEFIT INCREASES, ANY SALARY INCREASES.
BUT HERE WE ARE, ABOUT THREE DECADES LATER, ANNUALLY PUTTING $30,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND, AND THE TRACK LINE STOPS THERE.
PRINCE GEORGE SHOULD DO BETTER.
I'VE BEEN AT IT FOR AT LEAST 12 YEARS, 15 YEARS.
DON'T SEE ANYTHING GETTING BETTER.
$30,000 EVERY YEAR, TAKEN FROM THE MOST CONSTITUTIONALLY LAW ABIDING CITIZENS, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS DONE WITH IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO BRING UP DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS? I SEE NO ONE ELSE MOVING THIS WAY, SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM, I WOULD LIKE FOR MR. STOKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 REASSESSMENT AND ONLINE DATABASE DATE.
AS OF TODAY, RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY OWNERS IN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY WILL BEGIN RECEIVING THEIR FISCAL YEAR 2026 REASSESSMENT NOTICES IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK.
VISION GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, THE FIRM CONTRACTED TO CONDUCT THE COUNTY WIDE REASSESSMENT, HAS COMPLETED THE VALUATION PROCESS FOR THESE PROPERTIES.
THE COUNTY'S ONLINE PROPERTY DATABASE HAS BEEN UPDATED TO
[00:15:02]
REFLECT THE NEW RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES.PROPERTY OWNERS CAN ACCESS THEIR DATABASE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REASSESSMENTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE DATABASE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, AND THOSE NOTICE LETTERS WILL FOLLOW.
PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THEIR ASSESSMENT NOTICES AND REVIEW THEIR ONLINE DATABASE INFORMATION.
THE FOLLOWING APPEAL PERIODS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WISH TO CONTEST THEIR REAL ESTATE VALUES, OR QUITE FRANKLY, IF SOMETHING IS WRONG, IF IT SAYS IT'S FIVE ROOMS AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FOUR, OR IF LAND USE, YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR HISTORICAL NUMBERS, PLEASE CONTACT VISION INFORMAL REVIEW.
YOU CAN CALL VISION AT 888-844-4300 FROM 9:00 AM-4:00 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT ANY CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT ACCURACY OR THE ASSESSMENT THEMSELVES.
APPOINTMENTS CAN ALSO BE SCHEDULED ONLINE AT VGI.COM AND SELECTING PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA FOR THE JURISDICTION.
>> THE PROCESS GOES AFTER THE VISION REVIEW, THERE WILL BE A PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE ASSESSORS OFFICE REVIEW FROM APRIL 1ST TO APRIL 30TH.
THEN THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION APPEAL MAY 1ST THROUGH MAY 30TH WITH THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HEARING ON JUNE 13TH.
AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW ABOUT ONLINE OR PAPER ASSESSMENTS FOR FY 26, PLEASE CONTACT VISION GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS AT 888-844-4300 FROM 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THANK YOU.
>> THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN POSTED.
I SAW IT EARLIER ON FACEBOOK BUT THIS WAS A PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS PUT OUT.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WRITE IT DOWN WITH YOU CAN LOOK OUT, WE HAVE IT ACTUALLY POSTED.
WELL, GO BACK TO THE NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[C. Consent Agenda]
AT THIS TIME, I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, IF NO ONE HAS ANYTHING THEY WANT TO PULL OFF.>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. WEBB AND SECOND BY MR. COX THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SO PUBLISHED.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MRS. KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> AT THIS TIME, IT IS TIME FOR SUPERVISOR COMMENTS.
[D. Comments]
I'LL START TO MY LEFT WITH MR. COX.>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. MR. QUIST, THANK YOU, SIR.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT YOU BOUGHT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE LAST YEAR WHEN WE CAME ON THE BOARD, WE WERE ASKED IF WE WANTED TO RAISE AND WE SAID, NO.
THIS YEAR, IT WAS NOT BROUGHT ONTO THE BUDGET AT MY REQUEST BUT WE HAD THE OPTION OF PULLING IT BACK OFF.
I CHOSE NOT TO PULL IT OFF AND THE REASON BEING IS JUST FOR THIS REASON SO WE CAN HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON IT.
I HAVE NO THOUGHTS THAT IT WOULD PASS.
I'VE MADE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY I'VE MADE WHEN I SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND NEVER GOT A RAISE AND DON'T EXPECT TO RAISE HERE.
THIS IS NOT A JOB THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE MAKING MONEY.
THIS IS A JOB THAT REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENTS.
I THINK YOU KNOW EACH TIME I'VE TALKED TO YOU, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN HONEST WITH YOU AND BEEN TRANSPARENT AND I'M BEING THE SAME WAY NOW.
I DO AGREE THIS SHOULD BE A SUBJECT THAT IS ADDRESSED WITH THE PUBLIC.
THE PUBLIC SHOULD DECIDE WHAT WE GET A RAISE IF WE GET ONE OR NOT AND HOW MUCH.
I DID WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO IT TOO THAT I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THESE OFFICES.
THAT'S ANOTHER POINT OF CONTACT OR CONTEXT TO TO TALK ABOUT.
I KNOW YOU CAN SAY, YEAH NOW BUT I DO THINK SOMETIME WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TIME INVOLVED IN IT.
FOR ME, AGAIN, IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY.
IF IT WAS, OUGHT TO NEVER RAN.
IT STRAIGHT UP CLEAR CUT AND SIMPLE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU ALL COMING OUT. HOPE EVERYBODY'S ENJOYING THE WEATHER.
HOPEFULLY IT'LL LAST FOR A WHILE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. MR. PUGH, EXCUSE ME.
>> GOOD EVENING. SAME THING MR. COX SAID, I'M GOING TO ECHO IT.
WE ACTUALLY SAT DOWN AND DID OUR BUDGET TOGETHER WITH MR. BETSY,
[00:20:04]
AND HE BROUGHT UP THE GOOD POINT OF TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO RUN FOR THESE OFFICES AND I AGREED WITH HIM THAT'S WHY I SUPPORTED IT.IT'S SOMETHING WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO LOOK AT FOR THE FUTURE.
BUT THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. IT'S ALL I'VE GOT.
>> YES, I HOPE EVERYBODY IS WELL NOW AFTER ALL THE SICKNESS THAT'S BEEN GOING AROUND.
NOW I HOPE THE WEATHER'S GOING TO BE BETTER SO WE CAN ENJOY IT.
>> I'D LIKE TO AGAIN, SAY GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY PERSON FOR COMING OUT, PARTICULARLY TO MR. QUIST AND TO MR. STOKE. YOU GUYS COME UP AND YOU PRESENT THINGS HERE IN THE MEETINGS.
BUT THE THING I DO APPRECIATE THE MOST IS THAT BOTH OF YOU HAVE EMAILED ME OR CALLED ME DIRECTLY TO TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUE, WHETHER WE AGREED OR DISAGREED ON THE SUBJECT MATTER.
WE'VE ALWAYS HAD AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DO APPRECIATE YOU FOR THAT CONVERSATION AND I LEARNED FROM THAT.
YOU MAY LEARN FROM SOME THINGS THAT I'M AWARE OF, BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY SAY THAT I DO APPRECIATE THE INPUT THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM BOTH OF YOU AND THERE'S OTHERS OUT IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT TOO THAT HAVE TAKEN THAT TIME.
I APPRECIATE THAT YOU TALK TO ME AND NOT ABOUT ME.
AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING OUT EVERYONE.
ENJOY THE WARM WEATHER BECAUSE I CAN'T WAIT.
MY GARAGE IS WAITING FOR ME TO CLEAN IT OUT SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MR. STOKE, NOW FOR OUR ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. JUST A COUPLE OF UPCOMING DATES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12TH, TOMORROW, THERE WILL BE A PRINCE GEORGE RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING NOON AT THE PRINCE GEORGE PARKS AND REC COMMUNITY CENTER.
THE PRINCE GEORGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ALSO MEETS TOMORROW AT NOON IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM OF THE HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING.
AS A REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC OUT THERE, OUR NEXT BOARD WORK SESSION FOR THE BUDGET IS THURSDAY, MARCH 13TH AT 6:00 PM IN THIS ROOM.
ON MONDAY, MARCH 17TH, THE PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BE HERE AT 6:30 P.M IN THIS ROOM, RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 10TH. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK NOTE ON THE LAST THING MR. STOKE HAD.
I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION LAST NIGHT WITH MR. ELEY, BECAUSE I KNOW IF YOU HAD LOOKED AT SWAGGER THE WHOLE TIME LAST NIGHT, IT KEPT SAYING, THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
THEY MOVED THEIR MEETING AND THEY JUST HAD A DISCIPLINE HEARINGS LAST NIGHT.
BUT I DID MAKE HIM AWARE THAT I JOINED THINKING THEY WERE HAVING A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I DID SPEAK WITH HIM AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE.
NOW, IT'S TIME FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
[E. Public Hearing]
TONIGHT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE APPROPRIATION OF FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS AND I BELIEVE THAT MR. HOLTON, OR BETSY.MRS. JULIA'S IS GOING TO BE LEADING US IN THAT.
>> YES, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS, MR. STOKE AND MR. RARD.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT EXCEEDS ONE PERCENT OF YOUR ADOPTED CURRENT YEAR BUDGET.
IT IS RELATED TO A UTILITIES PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN AWARDED.
THE COUNTY DID RECEIVE A FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY COMMUNITY GRANT AWARD OF NEARLY $960,000 FOR AN APPOMATTOX RIVER CROSSING WATER MAIN.
THE GRANT WAS CHAMPIONED BY CONGRESS WOMAN MCCLELLAN AND REQUIRES A 20 PERCENT LOCAL MATCH, WHICH IS $239,938, WHICH WE PLANNED ON TAKING FROM UTILITIES CASH RESERVES.
THE TOTAL GRANT WITH THE MATCH IS JUST UNDER 1.2 MILLION.
THE 24 INCH WATER LINE THAT IS PLANNED WILL REPLACE A VULNERABLE 16 INCH WATER MAIN ALONG THE TEMPLE AVENUE BRIDGE AND WILL RUN UNDER THE APPOMATTOX RIVER.
THE WATER LINE WILL BETTER MEET FUTURE WATER DEMANDS.
ON JANUARY 28TH, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AWARDED THE CONTRACT FOR THIS PROJECT TO PERKINSON CONSTRUCTION.
THE AWARD EXCEEDS THE APPROVED GRANT WITH MATCH BY 1.233 MILLION.
THE RECOMMENDED FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE MATCH,
[00:25:03]
ALONG WITH THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF 1.2 MILLION NEEDED FOR THE TOTAL AWARD IS UTILITIES CASH RESERVES AND THAT WOULD BE 1,473,558.50.BECAUSE THE GRANT FUNDS AND CASH RESERVES FROM THE UTILITY FUND EXCEED ONE PERCENT OF YOUR CURRENT YEAR BUDGET OR THEY EXCEED 1.6 MILLION, THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD BEFORE WE APPROPRIATE THESE FUNDS AND AMEND OUR BUDGET.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 11TH, THAT MEETING WAS CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND THERE WAS A RETROACTIVE READVERTISEMENT FOR TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING AT YOUR LAST BOARD MEETING.
THE NOTICE OF TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING DID APPEAR IN THE PROGRESS-INDEX ON BOTH FEBRUARY 18TH AND MARCH 4TH FOR THAT AMENDMENT TOTALING $2,433,310.50.
THE APPROPRIATION THAT IS REQUIRED FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING IF THE BOARD APPROVES IS DEPICTED HERE.
AGAIN, THE FUNDING SOURCES ARE THE FEDERAL GRANT FROM THE EPA OF $959,752 IN UTILITIES CASH RESERVES FOR BOTH THE LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED AND THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT BECAUSE THE PROJECT EXCEEDED THE GRANT PLUS LOCAL MATCH.
STAFF HAS INCLUDED LANGUAGE IN YOUR APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION, IF YOU APPROVE IT THAT THE APPROPRIATION WOULD NOT LAPSE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR BUT BECAUSE IT IS A CAPITAL PROJECT, IT WOULD REMAIN APPROPRIATED UNTIL THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPENED.
>> DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MRS. JURY AT THIS TIME?
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AT THIS TIME ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PUBLIC INPUT AT THIS TIME.
DURING THIS TIME, YOU WOULD COME UP TO THE DIAS HEAR.
YOU'D HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
WE JUST ASKED THAT YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BEFORE YOU START.
IS THERE ANYONE WELL, FIRST OF ALL, MRS. KNOTT, IS THERE ANYONE THAT HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK ON THIS MATTER AT THIS TIME? YES, SIR.
>> GET YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
>> JIM QUEST IN 807 COUNTY LINE ROAD.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> AFTER WATCHING RICHMOND AND THE FAILURE OF THEIR WATER SYSTEM.
IT TAKES ME BACK TO MY ENGINEERING DAYS OF DOING PHILIP MORRIS FACILITIES AND MICHELIN FACILITIES AND WARSHIPS AND AIRCRAFT CARRIER.
ANY CRITICAL PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ALTERNATE PATH WAS INCORRECTLY DONE.
THE FACT THAT THEY HAD ONE POWER SOURCE AND ONE EMERGENCY GENERATOR AND ONE SET OF MOTORS AND ONE PUMP AND NOBODY KNEW HOW TO TURN ONTO BACKUP GENERATOR AS A CRYING SHAME.
THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.
WE HAVE AN EXISTING 16 INCH WATER LINE, I BELIEVE?
ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE THE 16 INCH THERE AS A BACKUP AS A REDUNDANCY SCHEME.
CHESTERFIELD, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS THREE SOURCES OF WATER.
THEY'VE GOT CHESDEN, THEY'VE GOT SWIFT CREEK, AND THEY'VE GOT RICHMOND.
IF ANY ONE OF THOSE THREE GOES DOWN, THE OTHER TWO CAN SERVICE THE COUNTY.
IN FACT, IF TWO OF THEM GO DOWN, THEY CAN STILL SERVICE THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
HAVING A BACKUP AND SPECIFICALLY, SINCE IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE AND WORKING, MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.
JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE FOR YOU.
>> WELL, MR. QUIST, THE REASON FOR THIS PROJECT IS THE EXISTING 16 INCH LINE IS ACTUALLY ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE.
>> THE ISSUE THAT IT'S CAUSED IS IT HAS FROZEN AT TIMES.
THE WHOLE PROJECT, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS FOR THAT LINE TO BE REPLACED WITH A LARGER LINE UNDER THE GROUND.
THE REASON FOR THE LARGER LINE ALSO IS IT'LL GIVE US A BETTER FLOW CLOSER TO WHAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO DRAW RIGHT NOW VERSUS THAT 16 INCH.
I'M ONLY SPEAKING FOR WHAT I KNOW UNLESS THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE HERE THAT CAN ANSWER THAT,
[00:30:01]
BUT I DON'T THINK THE 16 INCH LINE IS GOING TO STAY IN PLACE AS A BACKUP.MR. HOLTON, HERE HE IS, RIGHT HERE. THANK YOU.
>> BRING UP THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT. GOOD JOB.
>> THANK YOU, MR. QUIST FOR BRINGING THE TOPIC UP.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE LOST THIS WATER SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE AND ONCE BEFOREHAND THAT I'M AWARE OF.
DURING THAT TIME, WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONNECT TO THE CITY OF PETERSBURG, AS WELL AS VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER TO PROVIDE THAT REDUNDANCY.
WE DO HAVE EMERGENCY WATER AVAILABLE TO US SHOULD THAT LINE GO DOWN.
>> WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THOSE ENTITIES TO FIND MORE INTERCONNECTS TO MAKE IT MORE FEASIBLE AND EASIER TO DO.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTION. YES, SIR. THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP FOR PUBLIC INPUT TO THIS PUBLIC HEARING? I SEE NO ONE ELSE MOVING THIS WAY.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC INPUT PORTION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND RETURN THIS BACK TO THE BOARD.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANYONE THAT HAS ANY OTHER FURTHER QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO ASK? AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION, PLEASE.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MR. COX AND SECOND BY MR. PUGH THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THIS APPROPRIATION OF THE FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS AND UTILITIES CASH RESERVES TO THE FISCAL 24/25 BUDGET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN APPOMATTOX RIVER CROSSING WATER MAIN.
YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MRS. KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MOTION CARRIED. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT WAS THE ONLY ITEM THAT WE HAD FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT.
WE'LL MOVE ON NOW WITH OUR REPORTS AND THE MAN OF THE HOUR FROM VDO,
[F. Reports]
MR. PAUL HENSON IS HERE.>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> FILLING IN FOR CRYSTAL THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US COME IN HERE AND TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE THINGS WE'RE DOING.
WE'RE CURRENTLY IN OUR POTHOLE BLITZ.
WE'VE FILLED OVER 1,000 POTHOLES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO PERFORM OUR OTHER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING SHOULDER WORK AND DITCHING AND SOME TREE TRIMMING.
DOG BELL AND ROUNDABOUT, ONE YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO KNOW THE MOST ABOUT.
THAT PROJECT IS BEHIND SCHEDULE.
WE DO HAVE THE DETOUR STILL IN PLACE.
BASICALLY, WE'RE ASSESSING THE CONTRACTOR WITH TWO SETS OF DAMAGES AT THE CURRENT TIME.
THEY HAVE DAMAGES FOR KEEPING THE DETOUR OPEN LONGER THAN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, AND ALSO DAMAGES FOR NOT COMPLETING THE PROJECT BY THEIR SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE.
WE'VE BEEN CONVERSING WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND IN THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST, WE WANT TO HAVE AS LITTLE DISRUPTIONS AS WE CAN FROM THIS POINT FORWARD.
WE'VE DETERMINED THAT WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE DETOUR IN PLACE AT LEAST UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF APRIL TO ALLOW THE CONTRACTOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO COMPLETE ITEMS SO THAT WE DON'T OPEN THE DETOUR BACK UP.
WE'RE BACK TO FLAGGING OPERATIONS ALL DAY.
THAT'S VERY DISRUPTIVE, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PHASES THAT WERE IN THE FUTURE THAT INCLUDED SOME ADDITIONAL DETOURS.
WE'VE COMBINED ALL OF THOSE INTO THE CURRENT PHASE.
WE'RE PUSHING THE CONTRACTOR AS HARD AS WE CAN, AND WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO OPEN THAT ROAD UP AND BEGINNING OF APRIL.
THAT'S GENERALLY A SYNOPSIS OF THAT ONE FOR YOU.
NEXT PROJECT I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS A ROUNDABOUT AT MIDDLE AND JEFFERSON.
THERE WAS A RECENT MEETING THAT DISCUSSED A TEMPORARY SIGNAL THAT WOULD BE NEEDED AT THE INTERSECTION OF PRINCE GEORGE DRIVE AND MIDDLE ROAD.
THE PURPOSE FOR THIS TEMPORARY SIGNAL IS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED TRAFFIC THAT WILL BE AT THIS INTERSECTION.
WHEN THE MIDDLE AND JEFFERSON AND MIDDLE IS CLOSED DOWN FOR THE DETOUR, THAT WE NEEDED A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CONTROL THAT.
THIS IS A TEMPORARY LIGHT ONLY.
WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH OUR DETOUR, THE LIGHT COMES DOWN.
THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY EXPECTATIONS OF STAYING.
THE WARRANT IS IT ISN'T MET. WE CAN'T LEAVE IT UP.
IT'S ONLY THERE FOR CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC.
DID WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF THAT CAUSE I KNOW WHENEVER A TRAFFIC LIGHT GOES UP, EVERYBODY CHEERS, BUT IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE THERE FOR A WHILE.
ANOTHER ONE I WAS GOING TO BRING OUT FOR YOU IS JADOVA PARKWAY.
WE'VE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT JADOVA PARKWAY.
IT IS ON OUR PAVEMENT SCHEDULE FOR THIS YEAR.
NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO MILL AND PAVE THAT ROAD, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BASICALLY IMPROVE THE PAVEMENT SECTION.
WE'RE GOING TO MILL AN INCH AND A HALF TO 2 ".
WE'RE PLANNING TO GO BACK WITH UP TO 4 " ASPHALT.
WE'RE IMPROVING THE GRADE OF THE ASPHALT, SO WE'RE GOING FROM AN A MIX TO A D MIX.
[00:35:02]
WE'RE AWARE OF THE TRUCK TRAFFIC THAT THAT ROAD SEES.WE'RE GOING TO REPAVE IT ALL THE WAY FROM BULL HILL ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION WITH QUALITY WAY.
THAT IS ON THE SCHEDULE FOR THIS YEAR.
I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT DATES WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.
WE MAKE SURE WE INFORM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY SO THAT THEY CAN APPROPRIATELY INFORM EVERYBODY WHEN THAT WORK IS ONGOING.
SMART SCALE PROJECT ON 416 IN QUEEN STREET FOR THE LEFT TURN LANE IS ON SCHEDULE.
IT'S SCHEDULED TO GO TO ADVERTISEMENT NEXT MONTH, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN JULY OF THIS YEAR.
THE SINGLE LANE ROUTE ABOUT AT MIDDLE IN PRINCE GEORGE.
NO DATES HAVE BEEN SET YET FOR THAT, BUT IT'S LOOKING TO BE MID TO LATE 2028 FOR ADVERTISEMENT.
THEN LAST THING I HAVE IS WE'RE STARTING THE SECONDARY SIX YEAR PLAN.
WE WORK WITH COUNTY STAFF TO KICK THIS OFF.
HOLD THE GOAL OF HOLDING THIS PUBLIC MEETING IN MAY AND A RESOLUTION THE SAME NIGHT.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
>> MR. PUGH, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> YES, SIR. WHAT IS THE PLANS FOR GOLF COURSE DRIVE?
>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY PLANS RIGHT NOW FOR GOLF COURSE DRIVE.
I KNOW THAT THERE WAS I BELIEVE WE DID A SPEED STUDY ON THAT, BUT I WASN'T AWARE THAT WOULD BE A TOPIC THIS EVENING.
I HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO IT, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO RESEARCH THAT, SEE IF IT'S ON THE PAVEMENT SCHEDULE OR IF THERE'S ANYTHING PLANNED FOR THAT.
>> IT NEEDS TO BE ON THE PAVEMENT SCHEDULE, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.
WE HAVE WORN THROUGH THE RESURFACE OF THAT ROAD, AND WE'RE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SURFACE.
YESTERDAY, VEDA WAS DOWN THERE.
THEY PATCHED TWO POTHOLES, AND I'VE GOT A PICTURE OF IT.
THERE WAS A POTHOLE THAT WAS THREE FEET FROM A POTHOLE THEY PATCHED, AND THEY DONE NOTHING WITH IT.
THEY LEFT THE POTHOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
THAT ROAD IS COMING APART IN CHUNKS.
I KNOW MR. BROWN IS AWARE OF IT BECAUSE A LOT OF HIS CONSTITUENTS USE THAT WAY TO GO TO CHURCH.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SINCE LAST YEAR.
WE NEED TO GET SOME ANSWERS ON WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE WITH THAT ROAD.
OTHERWISE, I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.
JUST GO DOWN AND TAKE ALL THE ASPHALT AND LEAVE A DIRT ROAD.
IT'LL PROBABLY BE SMOOTHER. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.
>> MR. HANSON, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ON YOUR RADAR AS FAR AS POLE RUN ROAD AND/OR ROUTE 10, ANYWHERE FROM, LIKE, OLD STAGE OUT PAST HINES AND ON WHOLE RUN, IT'S GOING TO BE RIGHT THERE WITH CHURCHES IN THE CURVE.
I CAN'T THINK OF THE STREET OFF TOP OF IS NOT LAWYERS WHERE BENFORD LIVES.
ANYWAY. FROM THERE ALL THE WAY TO NEW STORE, THE ROADS COMING APART WHERE THEY DID THAT 1 " OVERLAY YEARS AGO INTO SURFACE STREET.
THERE'S SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT POTHOLES DOWN THROUGH THERE, ESPECIALLY ON ROUTE 10.
>> I KNOW THAT WE'RE FILLING ALL THE POTHOLES WE CAN.
WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR HELPING US OUT.
WE HAVE TWO CREWS FROM OUR AREA HEADQUARTERS, POT AND POTHOLES.
IT'S OUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE APPEARING AS FAST AS WE'RE FIXING THEM.
BUT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.
I CAN PUT IT ON THE ATTENTION LIST.
I KNOW OUR PRIMARY HIGHWAYS ARE ALWAYS OUR PRIORITIES.
ROUTE 10 IT IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARIES.
IT WILL BE A PRIORITY, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WE GET ANYTHING FIXED OUT THERE WE CAN.
IF WE DON'T FIX POTHOLES, AND WE'RE NOTIFIED, THEN WE'RE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES, TOO.
VDOT DOESN'T WANT TO BE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT.
WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REPAIR POTHOLES AS AS QUICKLY AS WE'RE NOTIFIED ABOUT.
>> I THINK THERE'S EXTREMELY INCREASED HEAVY TRUCKS, DUMP TRUCKS AND STUFF RUNNING ROUTE 10.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'VE GOT GOING ON DOWN TOWARDS SIR.
THEN YOU GOT THE LOGGING TRUCKS THAT ARE COMING ACROSS ON HINES AND ALSO ON POLE RUN, AND THAT TENDS TO BEAT THEM UP PRETTY GOOD.
>> YES, SIR. LOGGERS, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE LICENSED VEHICLES JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE AND THEY CAN TRAVEL DOWN ANY STATE ROADS.
>> YES, SIR. I GET IT. JUST A THOUGHT.
>> I'LL TRY TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ON THAT, AND I'LL HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE RESIDENCY CONTACT ALL WITH SOME ANSWERS TO GOLF COURSE ROAD AND ROUTE 10.
>> I HAVE THREE THINGS FOR YOU.
IN ADDITION TO GOLF COURSE, TWEET DRIVE IS PRETTY BAD, TOO.
TWEET DRIVE WAS THE DETOUR ROUTE WHEN GOLF COURSE WAS BEING REPAIRED, AND THAT HAS REALLY TAKEN A BEATING AS WELL.
IF YOU COULD MAKE NOTE OF THAT, THE SECOND ITEM IS THERE WAS SOME PATCHWORK DONE RECENTLY ON WEST QUAKER BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED TRAFFIC.
I'VE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THAT ROAD THAT HAVE SAID IT WAS A REALLY BAD JOB THAT WAS DONE.
IF YOU COULD HAVE SOME PUT THAT ON THE LIST SINCE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS.
[00:40:04]
THE THIRD THING REALLY ISN'T A WELL, IT'S A QUESTION.BUT IF YOU COULD JUST QUICKLY EXPLAIN, WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR OUR CITIZENS OUT HERE IF THEY SEE POTHOLES OR THEY NEED TO REPORT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO YOU?
>> THERE'S TWO REALLY EASY METHODS.
IF YOU GO TO ANY BROWSER AND JUST GOOGLE V DOT WORK ORDER.
IT'LL TAKE YOU TO A PAGE WHERE YOU CAN FILL OUT SEVERAL LITTLE SIMPLE THINGS, THE LOCATION, THE ROUTE NUMBER, WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
YOU CAN EVEN ADD PICTURES IF YOU WANT.
YOU CAN ALSO CALL OUR HOT RHINE, 1804 ROADS.
WE HAVE 24 HOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES.
YOU CAN GIVE THEM YOUR INFORMATION.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, IF YOU LIKE, TELL US WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
WE'LL PUT INTO WORK ORDER, AND WE'LL SEE WE'LL GET IT ADDRESSED AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
>> BUT I'M ASSUMING WHEN SOMEONE OPENS A WORK ORDER, FOR INSTANCE, HOW DO THEY GET NOTIFIED THE STATUS OF THAT WORK ORDER?
>> IN THE REQUEST, YOU CAN ACTUALLY CHECK A BOX.
>> IF YOU DON'T CHECK THAT BOX, WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO THE WORK AND CONTINUE, BUT IF YOU DO ASK FOR UPDATES, WE WILL PROVIDE THAT.
THE OPTION IS AVAILABLE, EITHER BY THE PHONE OR ON THE WEBSITE TO ASK FOR UPDATE.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. THIS WASN'T TO BEAT YOU UP.
>> I UNDERSTAND DOWN THE ROADS, TOO.
>> YES, SIR. IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THE NEXT REPORT WE HAVE COMING UP IS A DEQ DESIGNATES PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY AS A SMALL MUNICIPAL, SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM.
>> YES, SIR, GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
YOU SEE THE TITLE THERE JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE ALMOST DONE WITH OUR STORMWATER PROGRAM, WE GET NOTIFIED BY DEQ THAT WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AN MS4 LOCALITY.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? I'LL DISCUSS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE IMPACTS A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THIS PRESENTATION, BUT WE WOULD FALL UNDER THE EQS REQUIREMENT TO BECOME A VIRGINIA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AGAIN.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE.
AS WE GROW, WHAT POLICIES DO WE NEED TO HAVE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY STAY AWAY FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS.
WHAT IS AN MS4? AS YOU JUST MENTIONED, IT'S A MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM, AND IT IS ESSENTIALLY A PUBLICLY OWNED CONVEYANCE SYSTEM THAT COULD TAKE STORMWATER INTO OUR STREAMS AND BAYS.
FOR US, IN OUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, EVEN THOUGH WE DO OWN THE ROADS, VDOT MAINTAINS THOSE ROADS.
THOSE ROADWAYS, THERE'S CURBING GUTTERS, THERE'S STORM PIPES CAN ALL BE CONSIDERED PART OF AN MS4.
NOW, THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS WHO OWNS THOSE PARTICULAR PIECES OF PROPERTIES ARE ABLE TO BETTER TREAT THE STORMWATER BEFORE IT ENTERS INTO THE STREAMS AND BAYS.
WE'LL GET INTO THAT HERE IN JUST A MOMENT AS WELL.
ALL OF THIS IS ALL BASED OFF OF URBAN AREAS.
HERE'S OUR DEFINITIONS OF URBAN AREAS.
MORE PARTICULARLY IS THE ONE IN THE CENTER HERE, THE CENSUS BUREAU DEFINES URBAN AREAS AS A CONTINUOUSLY BUILT UP AREAS WITH A POPULATION OF 50,000 OR MORE.
THAT 50,000 AREA CAN CROSS JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES.
THE URBAN AREA IS NOT SPECIFIC TO PRINCE GEORGE.
IT'S AN AREA WITHIN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA THAT HAS A POPULATION OF 50 OR MORE.
THIS IS A MAP THAT SHOWS THOSE URBAN AREAS IN VIRGINIA.
YOU CAN SEE NORTHERN VIRGINIA IS VERY HEAVILY HAS A GREAT AMOUNT OF URBANIZED AREAS.
THE AREA THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY EXTENDS FROM ASHLAND DOWN INTO PRINCE GEORGE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS SENSES THAT HAVE ACTUALLY SHOWN SOME AREAS IN PRINCE GEORGE AS WELL, BUT APPARENTLY, I CAN'T CONFIRM THIS YET, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED FOR WAIVERS AND GOT THOSE APPROVED.
WE'LL BE LOOKING TO BE DOING THAT AS WELL, AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS HERE IN A MIN AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO SHOW THIS MAP THAT YOU CAN SEE HOW BIG THIS URBANIZED AREA IS.
IT IS DEFINITELY MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE IN POPULATION.
WITH THIS DESIGNATION, WE ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE EQ FOR A DISCHARGE PERMIT OR WE CAN SUBMIT A WAIVER.
WE DID MEET WITH DEQ TO DISCUSS WHAT THOSE LOOK LIKE, WHAT THOSE OPTIONS LOOK LIKE, AND I'LL GETTING THAT AS WELL.
BUT THE WAIVER FORM MUST DEMONSTRATE TO DEQ THAT WE HAVE A LACK OF PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTIES TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.
[00:45:02]
IF THERE ARE PUBLIC OWNED PROPERTIES OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE COUNTY OWNS, WE MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS THAT SERVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS LESS THAN 10,000.ACTUALLY TWO DIFFERENT CRITERIA.
WHEN WE GO OVER THOSE HERE JUST NOW.
THE FIRST OPTION IS IF YOU HAVE A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 1,000.
THIS IS IN MORE PACK. I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS VERY MUCH BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE THE AREA THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING IS WELL HAS OVER 1,000 PEOPLE IN IT.
I WANT TO GO VERY QUICKLY INTO OPTION 2, WHERE THESE AREAS, MAY HAVE LESS THAN 10,000 IN POPULATION.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE SAME CRITERIA REALLY EXISTS, EXCEPT FOR IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, DEQ IS GOING TO PROBABLY LOOK AT IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB, WHERE OPTION 1, WAS REALLY WE SHOW THAT WE HAVE LESS THAN 1,000 POPULATION, AND DEQ PRETTY MUCH WOULD TAKE US FOR OUR WORD FOR THAT.
HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A LITTLE BIT MORE FACTORS.
ALL OF THOSE ARE LOOKING AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
THE PROPERTIES THAT THE COUNTY OWNS, WHERE THEY CAN LOOK AT AND ENSURE THAT IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TREAT THE STORMWATER BEFORE IT ENTERS THE BAY OR THE STREAMS. TMDL IS WRITTEN ON HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES.
TMDL IS A TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD.
THERE ARE FOUR TMDLS THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY BASED ON RESEARCH, AND THE ONE THAT HAS THE BIGGEST CRITERIA IS ALONG THE JAMES RIVER.
MAJORIM ARE LOOKING AT BACTERIA, SPECIFICALLY E. COLI.
THAT CAN BE GENERATED, AND THAT'S USUALLY AN ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE COMBINED SEWERS.
COMBINED SEWER WHEN YOU HAVE STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER GOING INTO THE SAME MANHOLE OR SAME SYSTEM.
PRINCE GEORGE DOES NOT HAVE ANY COMBINED SEWERS THAT I'M AWARE OF.
WE DON'T HAVE MUCH ISSUES WITH E. COII.
IF THERE IS E. COLI, TYPICALLY, IT'S GENERATED THROUGH FARMING OPERATIONS, THOSE WHO HAVE COWS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE THAT HAVE FECES THAT ARE ABLE TO GET INTO THE STREAMS. THE OTHER ONE IS DEALS WITH PHOSPHOROUS AND SEDIMENT.
THOSE ARE YOUR DEVELOPED AREAS THAT USUALLY CAUSES THE PHOSPHOROUS AND SEDIMENT.
THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT THEY'LL BE LOOKING AT.
THEY'RE GOING TO LOOKING AT OUR DEVELOPED AREAS, OUR SUBDIVISIONS THAT WE HAVE DEVELOPED AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE TAKEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO TREAT THAT WATER EITHER THROUGH BMPS OR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, WHICH ARE YOUR STORMWATER PONDS, STREAM RESTORATIONS, ANYTHING TO TREAT THAT WATER BEFORE IT GETS INTO THOSE AREAS THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED WITH.
THAT'S THE REVIEW THAT DEQ WILL GO THROUGH.
WE'LL HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH, MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THEM ALL THE ADEQUATE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO DO THAT REVIEW.
>> AS I MENTIONED, WE MAY COME UNDER THE VIRGINIA AND THE VIRGINIA EROSION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ACT, THAT MAY REQUIRE US TO BECOME A STORMWATER PROGRAM, AGAIN, WHICH COULD HAVE IMPACTS SUCH AS US DOING MORE OF THE STORMWATER REVIEW PREVIOUSLY.
CURRENTLY, DEQ STILL DO THOSE REVIEWS.
WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THE REVIEWS, THE INSPECTIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS THAT HAVE THAT MS4 DESIGNATION.
TYPICALLY, IF YOU HAVE THAT IN JUST A PORTION OF YOUR COUNTY, YOU WOULD PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND DO THAT FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING ADEQUATE COVERAGE.
THIS IS A MAP OF WHERE THE MS4 ACTUALLY IMPACTS THE COUNTY.
AGAIN, THIS IS BASED OFF THE 2020 CENSUS, AND THEY WILL REDO THESE EVERY 10 YEARS IS MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CENSUS.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE HERE, BUT THERE'S SOME ALONG SOUTH CRATER ROAD, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE MS4 AREAS LOCATED AROUND FOTT-GREGG ADAMS AND THE CITY OF HOPEWELL.
THIS IS A BLOW UP VIEW OF THOSE TWO AREAS, AND I'VE WRITTEN ON HERE THE SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN THOSE AREAS.
YOU'LL SEE THAT FOTT-GREGG ADAMS MAKES UP A GREAT PORTION OF THAT MS4 AREA.
FOTT-GREGG ADAMS IS ALREADY UNDER THEIR OWN MS4 REQUIREMENTS, SO THEY ALREADY HAVE A DISCHARGE PERMIT, THAT COULD LOOK FAVORABLY UPON OUR WAIVER REQUIREMENTS.
WHEN WE GO TO SUBMIT A WAIVER, WE WOULD DEFINITELY SHOW THAT THAT AREA IS ALREADY BEING CONTROLLED OR BEING PERMITTED, AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT THAT HOPEFULLY VERY FAVORABLY.
AGAIN, WE RECEIVED THIS DESIGNATION LETTER ON JANUARY 28TH.
WE HAVE 180 DAYS TO RESPOND TO DEQ EITHER BY FILLING OUT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR SUBMITTING THE WAIVER APPLICATION.
MR. RARD WAS ACTUALLY VERY GOOD AT ARRANGING THAT MEETING WITH SOME OF HER SPECIAL CONTACTS THERE.
IT WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE MEETING THAT PROVIDED SOME GUIDELINES ON HOW WE COULD APPLY FOR THE WAIVER.
[00:50:02]
BASED ON THAT MEETING, WE WILL BE APPLYING FOR OUR WAIVER BY THAT JULY 25TH DEADLINE.I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF THEY ARE READY.
>> SEE ANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE NOW UNDER OUR ORDER OF BUSINESS,
[G. Order of Business]
AND WE WILL NOW HAVE OUR PRESENTATION OF OUR FISCAL 2026 INTRODUCED BUDGET, MR. STOKE, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BROWN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MS. GERARD, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT HERE TONIGHT.
THE PRESENTATION AND INTRODUCED BUDGET DOCUMENT FOR FY26 WILL BE POSTED TO THE WEBSITE AND BOARD DOCS FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S BOARD MEETING.
THE INTRODUCED BUDGET USES CALENDAR YEAR 2025 REASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUES AND MAINTAINS THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE TAX AT $0.82 AND THE CURRENT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX AT 390.
THE GOAL IS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY CITIZENS.
STAFF SALARY INCREASES WILL HELP KEEP US COMPETITIVE IN COMPARISON TO THE REGIONAL MARKET AVERAGE.
THE FY26 REVENUES OF $80,143,093 IS AN INCREASE OF $6,120,122 OVER FY-25.
THE REAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASED BY 4.2 MILLION 13.66% DUE TO HIGHER CALENDAR YEAR 2025 MARKET REASSESSMENT VALUES AND NEW GROWTH.
THE COUNTY IS PROPOSING TO HOLD THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE AT $0.82 AND THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATE AT $3.90 FOR A TAX RATE PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 20ND.
THIS CHART PROVIDES A BREAKDOWN OF REVENUE GROWTH BY PARCEL TYPE AND GROWTH BY NEW CONSTRUCTION AS PREPARED BY VISION GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS.
PERSONAL PROPERTY REVENUE CHANGES.
NO CHANGES AS WE AWAIT FINALIZED NUMBERS FROM PERSONAL PROPERTY VALUATIONS BY THE COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE.
THERE IS A $200,000 INCREASE IN PROPOSED DELINQUENT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUES.
OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUE CHANGES.
BY CHANGING BANKS, THE COUNTY WILL REALIZE GROWTH OF $264,000 IN INTEREST ON A BANK ACCOUNT FOR FY26.
INTEREST ON INVESTMENT REVENUE WILL INCREASE BY AN ESTIMATED $100,000.
STATE COMP BOARD AND DSS REVENUES INCREASING LARGELY DUE TO STATE MANDATED PAY INCREASES FOR STATE SUPPORTED LOCAL EMPLOYEES AND A NEW ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY POSITION APPROVED IN JULY OF 2024.
TWO OPERATION CEASEFIRE GRANTS SHOW AN INCREASE FOR FY26.
ON SOME OF THESE SLIDES THAT ARE LONGER IN NATURE, I'M GOING TO PAUSE FOR A BIT FOR THOSE WATCHING AT HOME AND THOSE READING THE SLIDES IN THE AUDIENCE.
[00:55:04]
OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUE CHANGES.THERE ARE MINOR INCREASES IN GENERAL FUND REVENUES, INCLUDING PERMIT FEES, AND IN HOUSE MEDICAL TRANSPORTS.
REDUCTIONS ARE SHOWN FOR A DGJS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER GRANT FOR SROS AT SOUTH BEASLEY AND MIDDLE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, THAT ENDS JUNE, 2025, AND A COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY OPERATION CEASEFIRE GRANT THAT ENDED DECEMBER 21ST, 2024.
EXPENDITURES ARE BALANCED WITH REVENUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW.
AGAIN, $6,120,122 GREATER THAN THE FY-25 BUDGET.
INCREASES TO PUBLIC SAFETY REPRESENT 3.3 MILLION INCREASES TO SCHOOLS, 1.2 MILLION OF THIS 6.1 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.
FUND BALANCE. THE COUNTY FUND BALANCE POLICY OF 12.5% IS PROJECTED TO BE $20 MILLION.
THE PROJECTED JUNE 30TH, 2025 FUND BALANCE IS $42 MILLION, 26% OF THE INTRODUCED FY26 BUDGET FIGURES.
STAFF RECOMMENDS CONTINUING THE PAUSE ON GENERAL FUND SUPPORTED DEBT ISSUANCE UNTIL FY27 AS RECOMMENDED BY DAVENPORT FINANCIAL.
FUTURE DEBT SERVICE AND FY27 SHOULD BE FOR MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE OR SCHOOLS.
THE BOARD CAN CONSIDER CASH FUNDING SMALLER PROJECTS OR IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE FUND BALANCE.
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES, NEW POSITIONS.
POSITIONS ARE PROPOSED WHERE THERE ARE INCREASED WORKLOAD DEMANDS AND WHERE SERVICE EXPANSION IS NECESSARY.
ADDITIONAL FIRE EMS POSITIONS ARE PROPOSED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
SENIOR PLANNER IS PROPOSED TO FOCUS ON RURAL CONSERVATION INITIATIVES.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST AND KENNEL ATTENDANT POSITIONS WILL ADDRESS INCREASED REGULATORY DEMANDS.
THE SIXTH CIRCUIT STAFF ATTORNEY WILL BE CONSIDERED IN COOPERATION WITH THE OTHER SIXTH CIRCUIT LOCALITIES.
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY IS REQUESTING TO BE THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THIS STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY A LAW CLERK, AND THE FISCAL AGENT IS THE CITY OF HOPEWELL.
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES, EMPLOYEE RECLASSIFICATIONS.
SALARY RECLASSIFICATIONS, BRING POSITIONS, MORE IN LINE WITH REGIONAL MARKET AVERAGES, AND MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED POSITION TITLES WITH JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
I WILL CALL OUT HERE THAT THE MANAGER 6 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER TO A DIRECTOR WOULD MAKE THAT PERSON A DIRECTOR FROM THE ECC.
THEY WOULD NO LONGER REPORT TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES PERSONNEL.
PROVIDING SALARY INCREASES TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES KEEPS PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY COMPETITIVE IN THE REGIONAL MARKET, NOT AT THE TOP, BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK, AND ENHANCES OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY EMPLOYEES.
THE HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE STARTS JUNE OF 2025.
WE ARE A MONTH PRE PAID ON HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS.
THE 11% INCREASE IN HEALTH INSURANCE WILL BE SHARED BY THE COUNTY AND EMPLOYEES.
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PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.THE INTRODUCED FY26 COUNTY BUDGET PROVIDES $19,270,928 IN FUNDING TO THE PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR THEIR OPERATIONS AND TEXTBOOK FUNDS.
THIS FUNDING IS A SET INCREASE OF 1.2 MILLION.
ALSO INCLUDED IS A CAPITAL TRANSFER FOR SCHOOL BUSES AT $543,374 AND 2.7 MILLION IN SCHOOL RELATED DEBT.
TOTAL TRANSFERS TWO AND PAYMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE $22,558,724.
THIS REPRESENTS 28% OF THE COUNTY'S FY26 INTRODUCED GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
DEBT SERVICE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
THE COUNTY WILL PAY 6.5 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND SUPPORTED DEBT IN FY26.
THE COUNTY WILL CONTRIBUTE ZERO TO DEBT RESERVES IN FY26.
AGAIN, DAVENPORT FINANCIAL RECOMMENDS NO NEW DEBT SERVICE UNTIL FY27 WHEN THERE IS AVAILABLE DEBT CAPACITY FOR THE COUNTY.
INFLATIONARY INCREASES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.
THERE ARE MUST DOES AND COUNTY OPERATIONS.
THE COUNTY TRACKS LINE ITEM TRENDS AND REVIEWS ACTUAL INVOICES TO DEVELOP FUTURE COST ESTIMATES.
FY26 WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH L THREE HARRIS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM IS PAID FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
I REALIZE THIS IS TOUGH TO READ.
WHEN CITIZENS ARE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENTS, IT'LL BE CLEARER THERE.
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE RECAP.
THESE EXPENDITURES SHOW EMPLOYEE COSTS THAT INCLUDE A STEP INCREASE, MARKET AND COLA SCALE INCREASES, ADDITIONAL POSITIONS BEING PROPOSED AND THE 11% HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE.
THE COUNTY WILL BE PROVIDING A SET INCREASE OF 1.2 MILLION TO THE SCHOOLS FOR OPERATION AND TEXTBOOKS FOR FY26.
THE FY26 PAYMENT FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM MAINTENANCE IS $559,083, AND WILL BE PAID FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THIS EXPENSE, THE FY25 BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDED A LIST OF ONE TIME CAPITAL PURCHASES THAT WILL DROP OFF AND ALLOW FOR THIS EXPENSE WITHOUT NEW REVENUE GENERATION.
THE PHASE 3 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND ORDINANCE UPDATES INCLUDE FUNDING TO BEGIN REVISIONS TO THE ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES IN FY26.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS GENERAL FUND INFLATIONARY INCREASES INCREASES TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES, SUCH AS RIVERSIDE REGIONAL JAIL AND THE CRATER YOUTH CARE COMMISSION.
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A TRANSFER TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT AN ENTERPRISE ZONE REBATE AND A SECOND CLEAN COMMUNITY DAY IN CALENDAR YEAR '25 THAT WILL BE HELD IN OCTOBER DURING THIS FY '26 BUDGET SEASON CYCLE.THIS SLIDE SHOWS GENERAL FUND INFLATIONARY INCREASES AND INCREASES TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE APPOMATTOX REGIONAL LIBRARY, THE D19 COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD, CRATER CRIMINAL TRAINING ACADEMY, AND OPERATIONAL INCREASES, SUCH AS HEATING, FUEL, INSURANCE, AND ELECTRIC.
HERE'S A LIST OF SOME OF THE DECREASES.
THE LARGEST REDUCTION IS THE TRANSFER TO DEBT SERVICE FUND DUE TO A DROP IN THE GENERAL FUND DEBT PAYMENTS, AND NO CONTRIBUTIONS BEING MADE TO DEBT RESERVES.
WE ALSO SAW A DROP IN OUR VEHICLE FUEL COSTS DUE TO THE NEW FUEL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED AROUND THE COUNTY.
PUBLIC UTILITIES SERVING 4,675 CUSTOMERS, THE PUBLIC UTILITIES OVERALL BUDGET IS $282,045 MORE THAN FY 25.
AN INCREASE IN WATER AND SEWER RATES IS PROPOSED FOR FY 26, OVERALL PROPOSED INCREASES TO THE AVERAGE USER'S BILL, WHICH IS 10,000 GALLONS PER BILLING CYCLE, WHICH IS TWO MONTHS.
ALL ESTIMATED AT $5.08 PER BILL, WHICH IS $2.60 FOR WATER AND $2.48 FOR SEWER.
THE PUBLIC HEARING ON WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASES WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 20ND.
THIS IS THE MONTHLY MINIMUM CHARGES.
COMMERCIAL USERS WILL SEE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES BASED ON METER SIZE FOR MONTHLY MINIMUM CHARGES.
AS YOU LOOK AT THE STANDARD RESIDENTIAL THE FIVE EIGHTHS, THE CHARGE GOES FROM 1,231 FOR WATER TO 1,293, SEWER CURRENT IS $14.85, AND THAT WOULD INCREASE TO $15.59.
THE COMMODITY CHARGES WITHIN RATE BLOCKS ARE FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
THE VERY TOP ONE, THE FIVE EIGHTHS EXAMPLE, ARE ZERO TO LESS THAN 6,000 GALLONS, WOULD BE GOING FROM $4.05 TO $4.17.
PROPOSED CONNECTION FEE INCREASES ARE ASSIGNED BY METER SIZE, THE FIVE EIGHTH INCH METER CONNECTION CHARGE FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES, INCREASES FROM 4,800-5,200 FOR WATER AND 5,200-5,400 FOR SEWER.
THIS IS A SUMMARY IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASE BASED OFF A BIMONTHLY BILL FOR 10,000 GALLONS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S $5.08 A BILL, WHICH IS EVERY TWO MONTHS FOR $30.48 A YEAR.
THERE IS CERTAIN MEMBERS THAT ARE UNMETRED SEWER.
THEY WOULD HAVE A FLAT $1.50 PER BILL FOR A $9 PER YEAR INCREASE.
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PUBLIC UTILITIES BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDES FIRST YEAR OF DEBT SERVICE FOR THE RIVER ROAD TRANSMISSION WATER LINE AND A FUTURE ROUTE 156 REGIONAL INTERCEPTOR AND NEW THREE MGD WASTEWATER PUMP STATION ENFORCE MAIN, A PAY INCREASE AND RECLASSIFICATIONS FOR UTILITY EMPLOYEES AND REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT.SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, AGAIN, VERY SMALL.
MEALS TAX FUNDING WILL INCREASE BY $100,000, AND A GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND OF 183,651 CREATES A TOTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCREASE OF $283,651.
OUR CJA COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, WILL SEE AN OVERALL INCREASE.
DUE TO AN INCREASE IN HOPEWELLS CASELOAD PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY'S LOCAL CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS WILL ACTUALLY DECREASE BY $2,245.
ON HERE YOU WILL SEE THAT FOR FY 26, WE'VE OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED THE STORMWATER FEE.
THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED PER BOARD DIRECTIVE FROM LAST YEAR.
THE FY 26 TOTAL BUDGET FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY IS $170,749,694.
THIS REPRESENTS A 4.98% INCREASE OVER THE FY 25 TOTAL ADOPTED BUDGET, AN INCREASE OF $8,098,561.
WE'VE INCLUDED ON HERE THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES BY FUND, THE GENERAL FUND INCREASE, THE UTILITY FUND INCREASE, THE SCHOOL FUND INCREASE, AND THE INTER FUND TRANSFER INCREASE.
AS A REMINDER, THE FY 26 BUDGET PROCESS BEGAN IN DECEMBER OF 2024 AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MAY 27TH, THE PROPOSED DATE FOR OUR BUDGET ADOPTION.
AT UPCOMING BUDGET WORK SESSIONS, WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON THE FINAL FY 26 STATE REVENUES, IMPACTING DSS, COMP BOARD, RCJA, AND SCHOOLS.
PROVIDE UPDATES FROM THE COMMISSION REVENUE FOR B POOL, PERSONAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING BUSINESS FURNITURES AND FIXTURES, AND M&T TAX ASSESSMENTS, AND UPDATED SCC PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION ASSESSMENTS.
THE BOARD HAS THE OPTION TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS PRIOR TO BUDGET ADOPTION, WHICH WE ARE PROPOSING FOR MAY 27TH.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR YOUR INPUT UP TO THIS POINT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK MISS DREY AND ALL THE STAFF WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PROCESS.
THANK YOU, BOARD, AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON THURSDAY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. STOKE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU'VE HEARD THE INTRODUCED BUDGET. PROPOSED BUDGET.
YOU'VE ALSO HEARD THE SCHEDULE, WHICH ALLOWS US TO GAIN MORE INPUT AND POTENTIALLY MAKE TWEAKS OR CHANGES ALONG THE WAY BEFORE WE DO THE FINAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN HAVE THE BUDGET TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE PUBLIC HEARING.
NEXT THING ON OUR AGENDA FOR TONIGHT IS THE AGREEMENT WITH SAILOR'S CREEK OUTFITTERS. MR. HOLTON.
>> YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RIVER ROAD AND TANK AND BOOSTER STATION IMPROVEMENTS AS PART OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, WE ARE INCREASING THE STORMWATER POLLUTANT LOAD OFF THAT SITE, WHICH REQUIRES US TO GET A PERMIT FROM DEQ.
IN LIEU OF DOING IMPROVEMENTS, SUCH AS INSTALLED A NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BASE AND WE HAVE AN OPTION OF
[01:15:01]
PURCHASING NUTRIENT CREDITS TO SATISFY THAT REQUIREMENT.WE HAVE RECEIVED THREE QUOTES TO PURCHASE THOSE NUTRIENT CREDITS.
IN YOUR PACKET IS AN AGREEMENT TO MAKE THAT PURCHASE.
THAT PURCHASE WOULD BE FOR $13,754.
THAT COST IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN WHAT YOU WOULD COST TO BUILD A NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY TO CAPTURE THAT POLLUTANT LOAD, AND AS WELL AS MAINTAIN IT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
WE DO RECOMMEND THIS PROCESS OF PURCHASING NUTRIENT CREDITS IN LIEU OF THE IMPROVEMENTS.
THEREFORE, IN YOUR PACKET, WE ARE ASKING AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT UPON REVIEW OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HAVE THAT AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THAT PURCHASE.
>> DOES ANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. HOLTON AT THIS TIME?
>> IF NOT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. WEBB AND SECOND BY MR. PUGH THAT THE BOARD WOULD AUTHORIZE THIS AGREEMENT WITH SAILOR'S CREEK FOR THE PURCHASE OF NUTRIENTS CREDIT OFFERS.
YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MISS KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA.
THE NEXT TWO ITEMS WE HAVE COMING UP IS RELATED TO OUR SCHOOL BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
WE'LL START WITH THE FIRST ONE, MISS DREY.
>> YES, SIR. GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO SCHOOL ITEMS, AS MR. BROWN INDICATED.
THE FIRST IS RELATED TO INCREASES WITHIN THE SCHOOL GRANT FUND.
THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY HAS AN OPERATING FUND, A GRANT FUND, A SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND.
THE SCHOOL DIVISION RECEIVED AN INCREASE IN THEIR TITLE ONE FUNDING ABOVE WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THEIR ADOPTED BUDGET OF $278,470.
ADDITIONALLY, THEY RECEIVED A NEW STATE SAFETY GRANT FOR $247,750 AND A NEW STATE LITERACY GRANT OF 60,000.
THOSE THREE GRANT INCREASES AND OUR NEW GRANT FUNDING TOTAL $580,227, AND THEY ARE REQUESTING APPROPRIATION TO THE FY 2025 BUDGET SO THAT THEY CAN EXPEND THOSE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRANT ALLOWANCES AND REQUIREMENTS.
THE TITLE ONE FUNDING WOULD BE USED TOWARDS TRAVEL TRAINING, INSTRUCTIONAL SALARIES AND HEALTH INSURANCE.
THE STATE SAFETY GRANT WOULD BE USED FOR SAFETY GUARD SALARIES AND BENEFITS ALONG WITH SOME PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SOME TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE ADDITIONS.
THE LITERACY GRANT WOULD BE USED FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
I BELIEVE DR. LYLE AND MR. BARNES ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, IF BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE NEW GRANTS OR GRANT INCREASES IN THE TITLE ONE FUND.
>> DOES ANY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS EITHER FROM MISS DREY OR FROM THE SCHOOL DIVISION?
>> GOOD. I SEE THAT EVERYONE IS SAYING NO.
AT THIS TIME, BOARD MEMBERS, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION, PLEASE?
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. COX AND SECOND BY MR. PUGH THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AMENDMENT FOR REAPPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONS OF INCREASED SCHOOL GRANT FUNDING FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $580,227.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MISS KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> YES. MOTION CARRY. MISS DREY.
>> WHAT'S YOUR NEXT ITEM, PLEASE?
>> THE NEXT ITEM RELATES TO THE SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND.
AS THE BOARD IS AWARE, THERE IS A SEPARATE FUND FOR THE SCHOOL NUTRITION OPERATIONS TO INCLUDE SALARIES, SUPPLIES, AND A VARIETY OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS PURCHASED FOR THE SCHOOL CAFETERIAS.
THE SCHOOL BOARD CONSIDERED AMENDMENT TO THE SCHOOL NUTRITION BUDGET AT THEIR FEBRUARY 24TH MEETING, AND IT IS ASKING FOR A NET INCREASE IN APPROPRIATION OF $526,000.
THAT AMENDMENT WOULD REDUCE COLLECTIONS FROM
[01:20:04]
STUDENT AND STAFF BELOW WHAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED OR WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET.INCREASING FEDERAL SCHOOL NUTRITION REVENUES AND UTILIZING SOME SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND FUND BALANCE.
I BELIEVE THE BOARD HAS HEARD AT PAST MEETINGS THAT THE STATE LIMITS THE AMOUNT THAT THE SCHOOL DIVISION CAN CARRY IN CASH RESERVES IN THE SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND TO A FEW MONTHS OF OPERATING REVENUES.
IF THE AMENDMENT IF APPROVED WOULD BE PUT TOWARDS WAGES AND BENEFITS, AS WELL AS FOOD SUPPLIES.
AGAIN, MR. BARNES AND DR. LYLE ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, IF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS THAT I CAN NOT ANSWER.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS EITHER FROM MISS DREY OR DR. LYLE OR MR. BARNES?
>> SEEING EVERYONE OKAY I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, PLEASE.
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. COX AND SECOND BY MR. WEBB THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 SCHOOL BUDGET AMENDMENT AND APPROPRIATION OF INCREASE TO THE SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND OF $526,000.
YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION? ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MISS KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> THANK YOU, MISS DREY. BOARD MEMBERS, THAT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT, PLEASE.
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED BY MR. COX AND SECOND BY MR. PUGH THAT WE WOULD ADJOURN AT THIS TIME.
MISS KNOTT, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MEETING ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.