Reassessment meeting is Sept. 8
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Possible county borrowing on a range of potential Caroline projects was the topic of an announced, public Board of Supervisors work session Monday, Aug. 16. Previous to the session at the Aug. 9 supervisors meeting, Supervisor Floyd Thomas requested a five-year plan for possible capital projects, and Supervisor Jeff Sili requested the work session. A list was drawn up by county staff, but supervisors have not yet approved any of the projects nor has any borrowing amount been determined, if any, said County Administrator Percy Ashcraft.
Instead the supervisors will continue their discussion publicly at their coming meetings Sept. 14 and 21, with a Public Hearing on Utilities Projects also on the 21st. This scheduling is tentative, Ashcraft, said pending details to be submitted by Finance Advisory Courtney Rogers of the financial planners Davenport & Associates. Discussion on any possible borrowing will continue with a vote tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12 on a resolution on any possible borrowing. After that resolution a new five-year plan will be developed.
County statutes require a public hearing for utility projects, but not for general or school projects. Ashcraft said the public is welcome to express their opinions at Public Comments at Board of Supervisors Meetings. The possible projects fall into three categories: General, Utilities and Public Schools.
Fiscal Year 2011 Possible Projects
- (General) Construction of Dawn Library – $700,000; construction of YMCA in Ladysmith – $4.5 million; construction of Sparta Fire Station – $1 million. Total: $6.2 million.
- (Utilities) Upgrade to Wastewater Treatment Plant – $16.3 million; Water Line Extension to Caroline Pines – $3 million. Total: $19.3 million.
- (Schools) None
After the resolution on projects for Fiscal Year 2011, county staff will develop a new five-year plan. The following are possibilities, which the supervisors could possibly draw from and include for FY 2011:
Fiscal Year 2012 Possible Projects
- (General) Replace two solid waste compactors – $ 60,000; replace 12 Sheriff's vehicles – $530,000; New Radio System – $3.4 million; replace medic unit – $150,000. Total: $4.14 million.
- (Utilities) Completion of Rappahannock Water Permit – $450,000.
- (Schools) Replace nine buses – $680,000; replace air conditioning at Caroline High School – $750,000. Total: $1.43 million.
Fiscal Year 2013 Possible Projects
- (General) Replace Port Royal fire engine – $400,000; Port Royal District Recreation Plan – $500,000; replace Finance hardware and software – $400,000; replace six Sheriff's vehicles – $265,000. Total: $1.8 million.
- (Utilities) None. Nor for 2014 and 2015.
- (Schools) Replace six buses – $450,000; new elementary school – $18 million. Total: $18.5 million.
Fiscal Year 2014 Possible Projects
- (General) Replace Frog Level fire engine – $400,000; replace medic unit – $150,000; replace two solid waste compactors – $60,000; upgrade Ladysmith Convenience Site – $200,000; replace six Sheriff's vehicles – $265,000. Total $1.235 million.
- (Schools) Replace six buses – $450,000.
Fiscal Year 2015 Possible Projects
- (General) Replace Bowling Green and Upper Caroline fire engines – $800,000; County Park Master Plan – $6.8 million; Recreation Plan for Reedy Church District – $500,000; State Fair Boat Landing – $250,000; replace medic unit – $150,000; replace six Sheriff's vehicles – $265,000. Total: $8.765 million.
The total for all possible projects is $63 million. No decisions will be made until November, and supervisors may change the order of any possible project. The county debt is currently $103 million. Ashcraft said a priority is building the Fund Balance which is now $500,000 in assets.
Reassessment Meeting Sept. 8
In related county finance news, a public meeting on the General Reassessment of Property in Caroline County will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 8 at the Community Services Center. Representatives from Blue Ridge Appraisals will make a power point presentation on the process and how it's evolving in Caroline. A question and answer session will follow. The presentation will not give owners their new property values, but will answer questions how values are derived and explain the appeals process. The reassessment will be completed by Jan. 1, and County Administrator Percy Ashcraft said if assessments are low, as expected, the Board of Supervisors may feel the need to raise taxes in order to maintain the administration of the county.