Few comment on New Kent County’s FY2015-16 budget

Only two people took advantage of speaking during New Kent Board of Supervisors’ public hearing on the FY2015-16 budget Monday evening.

County administrator Rodney Hathaway reviewed the amended $56,916,986 budget with supervisors and the public. The budget increased by $204,601 from the original proposal due to schools receiving more state funding to accommodate an increase in enrollment.

During the public hearing, speakers addressed the board with comments on issues that they felt affected the county.

“I’m concerned with the additional four percent water rate tax in public utilities,” said Mark Daniel. “The past few years the rate has gone up by eight, eight, and six percent each year.

“Families don’t have the option to say yes or no,” he continued. “With this proposal of going up four percent, families are paying for something that they are not responsible for.”

Doug Shuler, who represents the New Kent Stagehands, wanted supervisors to consider a proposal for future use of the Historic School.

“We heard there was a stage in the Historic School and we are hoping that it can be renovated,” Shuler said. “New Kent Stagehands have been putting on a variety of performances and plays in the county for years and it would be nice for the board to consider in the upcoming budget possible renovations to the stage so that we may have a home instead of traveling outside the county for practices.”

Supervisors offered little comment about the budget, but board chairman Tommy Tiller addressed on Daniel’s concern.

“I can relate to what Mr. Daniel said and there has to be a point where we have to look at another method for supporting the water and sewer in Bottoms Bridge instead of raising the rates,” the chairman said.

Supervisors could not take action on the budget as it is required by law for them to wait at least seven days. They are expected to take action at the board’s monthly work session on May 20.

In other matters, supervisors:

–Unanimously approved the FY2016-2021 Secondary Road Six-Year Plan and FY2016 Construction Priority List. Projects on the list include improvements to Stage Road (rural rustic road project), Henpeck Road (reconstruction and surface treatment), and Dispatch Road (sight distance, road alignment). Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has allocated $88,111 to apply to those projects.

–Rejected a motion to adopt consideration of ordinance O-02-15 repealing Chapter 98, Article II, Section 57 of the county code. The motion failed by a 3-2 vote. The ordinance would have established a new chapter for floodplain management that included New Kent County and its participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Only about one percent of New Kent’s population, however, resides in affected areas.