New Kent budget public hearing yields one speaker
New Kent supervisors opened the floor for citizen input on the county’s proposed $62.7 million budget that includes a one-cent tax increase for FY2016-17 during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. County leaders only heard from one resident who voiced her opinion.
Kate Hanger addressed supervisors with her concern over school support. And while she didn’t lean towards the 83 or 84 cent rate, her perspective surrounded the support for county schools and the community.
“I hear a lot of talk about this county becoming one for the aging community but also wanting to bring in businesses,” Hanger said. “I want the board to know that when they make a decision they are thinking about the schools as well.
“There is a reason why people move to New Kent and the schools are one of them,” she continued. “I know of some teachers who have to work a second job. I don’t want teachers going out to do a second job when they can be spending extra time tutoring my child or helping with sports teams.
“I hope you support the schools by investing in them,” Hanger concluded.
While supervisors cannot take action by law for 10 days, one supervisor elected to comment on his stance in regards to the one-cent increase.
“I been having a lot of conversations about the penny increase and I am still in favor of it,” said District 2 representative Tommy Tiller. “We can do a lot with a penny.”
Tiller held up a candy bar as a visual image to display the impact the additional tax rate would impact a $96,000 home.
“I stopped by the store and picked up this candy bar and it was 84 cents,” he continued. “In a monthly bill of that home, it would be 80 cents, meaning this candy bar is worth more than an increase. I don’t see how 80 cents can be a burden on someone’s budget.
“Just think about what that penny has the capability to do,” Tiller added. “That penny will help fund five new firefighter positions and convert another one from part-time to full-time. That means they can respond to more calls to help citizens of the county.”
Supervisors expect to take action on the budget and tax rate at their May 25 work session. In other action taken by county leaders:
–Tabled action on a regulation to allow golf carts and utility vehicles on public streets. The ordinance would allow the aforementioned vehicles to drive on public roads having speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less in a subdivision as designated by the county and approved by VDOT. The decision was made to allow for further research on the issue.
–Approved the secondary six-year VDOT plan 5-0 with an amendment to the project list. Originally, money taken from the Henpeck Road project was to be applied to the proposed entrance of Pine Fork Road Park. However, county administrator Rodney Hathaway indicated that those funds could not be used due to plans for the park still being in the early developing stages. That amount, $86,600, will be reapplied to completing the second portion of Stage Road for surface treatment (from Homestead Road to Ropers Church Road). Other projects targeted in the FY2017-22 plan include addressing sight issues on Dispatch Road and completing the first portion of the Stage Road project (rural rustic road project from Polish Town to Homestead Road).