New Kent leaders get first peek of proposed CIP, receive update on internet progress from Cox

New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors received their first look at a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the FY2023-24 fiscal year.

New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway addressed board members at Tuesday morning’s work session. Based on recommendation from the county’s planning commission and his input, the 2023-24 CIP is recommended at $16,349,146.

Hathaway commented that with the broadband plan being fully-funded, the county can catch up on projects they have pushed back until they had enough funding.

“We have pushed back projected until there was a time that we can afford it, and now is that time,” Hathaway said. “Even though we are spending more than what we normally do, we are able to take care of these projects that we have pushed off.”

Among the big projects include the financing of a new fire station at a price tag of $7.029 million. Hathaway commented that the funding could be used to build a new fire station #2 (located in Quinton) or be utilized for the proposed Station 6 that would be located in Bottoms Bridge. Hathaway added that he will recommend the construction of one fire station in this year’s CIP and another one in the 2024-25 CIP budget.

Other safety emergency top CIP costs include $900,000 for a new fire apparatus, $600,000 for two ambulances, $290,000 for a fire/EMS support apparatus, $881,298 for radio upgrades to the Harris Radio System emergency equipment for New Kent Sheriff’s Office, and $612,000 for vehicle replacement.

Other top dollar projects include the first phase of adding lights to Pine Fork Park ($1.17 million), $965,000 for airport projects (with the county responsible for two percent of the portion), $685,000 for school bus replacement, $450,000 for roof replacement at the high school, $425,000 for light replacement in all county schools, and additional $143,000 for school vehicles.

A formal presentation of both the CIP and the county’s operating budget is expected to take place at the March regular meeting.

In another matter, Cox Communications representatives provided an update regarding their process to bring internet to homes in all of New Kent.

Erin Rice of Cox Communications recapped the $34 million contract executed in Aug. 2022 between their company and New Kent County. The project would create 566 fiber miles of optic cable, providing the capability of 11,600 homes and businesses to connect to service. The company’s goal is to provide universal coverage to New Kent County by 2026.

Rice’s presentation showed 12 initial clusters where Cox Communications will focus on. Those clusters will become more detailed and rise to 22 after additional work. Field surveys began in Nov. 2022, with the permitting process initiating in Dec. 2022. The first construction began in Jan. 2023 in the Barhamsville area, with Talleysville area targeted to see construction beginning in Feb. 2023.

Rice’s presentation also showed that of the 12 initial clusters, the Talleysville is expected to be completed first. Completion of that target is expected to be quarter three of this year. The other 11 original clusters are expected to come online beginning in 2024. The remaining 10 clusters, known as fill-in spots, are expected to be completed by 2026.