Board Summary
August 26, 2009
Contact Information:
Percy C. Ashcraft, County Administrator (804) 633-5380
E-Mail

August 25 Meeting Recap

BOS Approves Incentive Package for F&R Volunteers


The Board of Supervisors at its August 25 meeting approved an incentive package for Fire and Rescue volunteers that are designed to help with recruitment and retention.

Acknowledging the importance of the volunteers and the service they provide to the community, the BOS unanimously approved two incentives that they hope will reward current volunteers for their service and serve as a stimulus to recruiting new men and women into the volunteer ranks.

“These folks work so hard for us. I am glad we are able to do this for them at this time,” commented Reedy Church Supervisor Maxie Rozell, who serves as the liaison for public safety for the Board of Supervisors. “We need our volunteers. Anything we can do to support them we should do.”

The first incentive would be for the County to match the contributions to the Virginia Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers Service Award Fund (VOLSAP). This is a state-wide retirement program intended as a reward for long term service as an eligible volunteer. Upon the BOS action, the County will now match Caroline volunteers’ contribution. Cost will be $5,000 for the remainder of this fiscal year and capped at $10,000 for subsequent fiscal years.

The second incentive would give eligible volunteers a 50 percent discount on their personal property tax bill for one vehicle only. This incentive would also be capped at $10,000 for the first year of the program, which will begin July 1, 2010.

The BOS received the recommendation from the Emergency Services Commission. President Pam Chenault made the presentation on behalf of the ESC.

Other Board information and action included:

  • Received remarks from Congressman Rob Wittman, who called for a new Community Council that would bring together more people to focus on the mission of Fort AP Hill and its presence in Caroline County.


  • Approved a request from the Public School Division to reappropriate funds of just under $1.3 million as part of the Division’s upgrades to existing schools, including the old Ladysmith Elementary School.


  • Approved a request by Judge Horace Revercomb to hire a new clerk in Circuit Court to prepare criminal orders at an annual salary around $25,000.


  • Approved Staff recommendation to seat a committee to monitor the 2010 Census. BOS members will appoint in future meetings a representative from each district to round out the committee.


  • Adopted a resolution to establish criteria, guidelines and tax incentives for eligible qualifying technology businesses located in the new Technology Zone ordinance.


  • Approved a special exception permit request by the Virginia Sports Complex that would allow the sale of alcoholic beverages under limited conditions and upon approval by the Sheriff’s Office.


  • Adopted an ordinance that will now assess a $2 courthouse maintenance fee in civil as well as criminal cases. The recent changes to the State Code allow expand the good and services that may be acquired with funds collected for the law library assessment.


  • Approved an emergency expenditure not to exceed $100,000 that will allow the County to install utility lines in the area of where the Carmel Church – Interstate 95 interchange improvement project is underway.