Board of Supervisors
Caroline County Administrator Percy Ashcraft bid farewell to the Board of Supervisors and Caroline County Tuesday night.
Speaking as part of the meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Ashcraft told the BOS “There is nothing that I wanted to do that I was not able to do while being here in Caroline County.”
Ashcraft will assume new responsibilities March 14 as County Administrator in Prince George County. His 11 ½ years as Caroline’s chief government officer is the longest tenure in the County’s history.
“We have improved the quality of life in this community in every aspect now for over a decade,” Ashcraft told the members of the BOS. “As the face of Caroline changed, we changed with it and made it better for the generations of families who live here and those who moved here in recent years.”
Ashcraft cited various projects that had been completed under the Board’s leadership during his time in Caroline County. He was particularly pleased about the advancements in technology within County government.
“When I arrived in Caroline in 1999, we had no email system for the County,” Ashcraft said. “Our only department internet source was a private account in the Economic Development Office. Today we have been recognized as having one of the most interactive websites and email systems throughout this Commonwealth.”
Ashcraft took a moment to comment on public education and the relationship between County government and the Public School Division.
“We have always struggled with providing enough resources to fund the Public School Division, but in my mind, you did the best you could with other sources competing for those dollars” Ashcraft told the BOS. “Beating each other over the heads with baseball bats is not the answer to advancing public education. My prayer is that an educational vision will be developed for this County and that egos will move to the back of the school bus and the children and their hope for a better future sit firmly in the front.”
Ashcraft took the opportunity to thank his employees and Constitutional Officers.
“These men and women took customer service seriously and made the citizen first in their daily tasks.”
Ashcraft said it is easy to be successful, but the best result is being significant.
“When you have made significant contributions, then you have touched lives for the better. We have done that gentlemen and I thank you for allowing me to join in that effort.”
Ashcraft closed by saying “I am a better person for having been in Caroline County. And in the end, isn’t that really what is most important to all of us.”
Other matters before the Board of Supervisors included:
- Ashcraft and former Reedy Church District Supervisor Maxie Rozell were recognized by officials at Fort AP Hill for their cooperation with the Fort’s ongoing training mission.
- Received a presentation by Public School Division Superintendent Greg Killough on the FY ’12 School Budget.
- Appointed Maxie Rozell to the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors.
- Appointed Demetrice Tolliver to represent the Reedy Church District on the Redistricting Advisory Committee.
- Assigned the committee responsibilities held previously by Maxie Rozell to current Reedy Church Supervisor Reggie Underwood.
- On the Consent Agenda, awarded a bid for well drilling services to Gammon Well Drilling for $43,380.
- On the Consent Agenda, authorized application for rural access to emergency devices grant in the Department of Fire and Rescue.
- On the Consent Agenda, adopted a resolution expressing support for the arrival and display of the Civil War HistoryMobile in conjunction with the grand opening of the Caroline Museum and Cultural Center.
- On the Consent Agenda, adopted a resolution declared a local emergency necessitating the prohibition of open air fires.
- Approved by a 4-1 vote approval of a comprehensive agreement between Caroline County and Mid Eastern Builders, Inc. for the design and construction of expanding and upgrading the County’s wastewater treatment facilities.
- Held public hearings on the FY ’12 Budget and on the proposed tax rates for fiscal year FY ’12.
- Received several comments under Public Comment from citizens concerned about a lack of high speed internet and broadband services on the western side of the County.
- Received a presentation from the County’s Electoral Board regarding “Bailing Out” of the pre-clearance section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Approved the purchase of two school busses and the lease-purchase of seven more.
- Approved moving forward with Phase II of the Dawn Wastewater project.
- Deferred action until the April 12 meeting on a request by the County Museum Committee to install signs around the building.
- Appointed Alan Partin interim County Administrator effective Saturday, March 12.
- Asked Staff to explore the possibilities of privatizing the Public Utility Department, the Solid Waste Convenience sites, building inspection services and the Maintenance Department of the Public School Division.
- Before the regular meeting, held a worksession on possible capital projects for the spring borrowing.