The following news report was submitted by Tom Bishop, from the Monday night Patrick County Board of Supervisor's meeting
News report
Patrick County Board of Supervisors-Meeting, Sept. 14, 2009
On Monday, September 14, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors met for their monthly meeting.
Lisa Hughes, Virginia Department of Transportation reported that since the Route 8 connector project had begun in Stuart, Rye Cove Street will be closed on September 23.
She also reported that Gov. Kaine’s most recent budget cuts would result in $136 million being cut from VDOT this fiscal year.
Mowing our local highways has been cut back drastically with reduced number of mowings and reduced width of mowings.
She reported that U. S. Route 58 has now been declared a Federal road and the re-do of the Environmental study will be done under Federal guidelines with the hope that necessary funding could come at some point in time.
Jay Scudder, County Administrator, said that Gov. Kaine’s recent round budget cuts will impact Patrick County at about $100,000. The expected impacts to County departments are as follows:
Sheriff Dept. $65,000 reduction
Commonwealth Attorney, $5600 reduction
County Clerk $16,000 reduction
County Treasurer $ 5000 reduction
Commissioner of Revenue, $6800 reduction
Registrar $5137 reduction
Social Services – no change
Jay also reported that Federal Flood Control dams in Ararat will require a “flood inundation study� next year that will impact our County budget in the 6 figure range.
Dr. Lock Boyce reported that the recent comprehensive agreement indicates the new Patrick County jail will cost $9, 960,000 with 20% being reimbursable from the State. He said that having the Sheriff office, Magistrate’s Office and 911 Center housed at the same location under the same roof will cost about $766,000, bringing the total cost to $10.7 million.
Jay Scudder encourages residents who desire High Speed Internet Services to report this to their Supervisor or to himself, so that a comprehensive report can be given to Embarq Corporation. He expects an Embarq representative to be at the October meeting to give update on their progress and plans for providing this service to our County. One of the areas of expanded coverage’s includes the Rt. 57 corridor.
The Board of Supervisors voted on the following housekeeping items giving their unanimous approval.
1. Elderly and Handicap tax relief increased from $18,000 to $22,000 gross combined income.
2. Personal Property Tax Relief rate was changed from 46% to 48%
3. South Mayo River Scenic River Resolution
4. Approval of CCDF fire truck purchase, confirming a poll vote taken prior to the meeting.
Dr. Boyce made a motion to nominate Danny Woods (Peters Creek District) to be appointed to the Public Service Authority Board. The motion lost for lack of a second.
Unanimously approved Rodney Kendrick and Darrell Worley to be re-appointed to the Public Service Authority Board for another 4 year term. Their terms had expired on Sept. 9. Bob Pendleton’s term expired on Sept. 9 also, but he was not re-appointed.
Unanimously approved the re-appointment of Planning Commission members for another term as follows:
Gary Griffith, Smith River
Rod Boyd, Dan River
Ed Anthony, Mayo River
Stanley Fain, Blue Ridge
Reported by Tom Bishop