|
|
|||||||||
BOARD ADOPTS COUNTY BUDGET(April 11, 2006) The Board of Supervisors adopted the Hanover County budget for the FY2007 Fiscal Year on April 5. The budget maintains the County’s real estate tax rate (86 cents per $100 valuation) and provides funding for many of the projects approved by voters in last fall’s Bond Referendum. Several Board members commented that they would have liked to reduce the real estate tax rate, but did not want to sacrifice the quality of services or fail to meet expectations regarding construction of the Bond Referendum projects. “We need to balance the desire to cut the tax rate and our commitment to provide the services that our citizens request or demand,” said John E. Gordon Jr., South Anna District Supervisor. “I would have loved to cut the tax rate but our responsibility, the first responsibility of government, is to make sure that the public safety, health and welfare is taken care of,” said Chickahominy District Supervisor Robert R. Setliff. “I’m hoping we are able to take care of the core areas that we needed to take care of.” “We do our best to deliver the best service at the most reasonable cost,” commented Charles D. McGhee of the Henry District, Chairman of the Board. “We run a very lean and efficient government. We had a mandate from the public to construct those bond referendum projects. If we did not have such concern about the costs of construction, I’m sure we could have reduced the tax rate a penny or two.” “Confidence is the big word,” noted Mechanicsville District Supervisor Jack Ward. “I am confident that our citizens are getting the best use of their tax dollars. We are continuing to support the quality of life in Hanover that we talk so much about. I think we’ve done what we needed to do with the money we had to work with.” Strong support for the proposed County budget had been expressed by nearly every speaker at the Board’s public hearing on March 29. “Certainly I was pleased with the tone of the message we heard at the public hearing,” Gordon said, adding “There are other activities we could wish to support if funds were unlimited, but they are not. This is not a year to address every need, but to reflect the priorities established by the Board.” The Board approved a few amendments to County Administrator Rhu Harris’s proposed budget, including setting aside $100,000 in a capital improvements fund for roadway improvements. “We can continue to point fingers and complain or we an attempt to do more,” Gordon said. “$100,000 may not build a lot of roads, but it may advance some projects by doing some up-front work. I believe this reflects our values as stewards of the County’s funds.” The Board also used new available revenues to fund a Homeland Security Investigator for the Sheriff’s Office and provide additional support for the Barksdale Theatre and Beaverdam Heritage Days. If revenues exceed projections by $500,000 or more next budget year, Board members stated their intention to devote that $500,000 amount to the Sheriff and Fire/EMS to help meet their staffing needs. The five-financial plan adopted by the Board last week includes 71 positions related to Public Safety, including 40 for the Sheriff and 22 for Fire/EMS. No real estate property tax increase is proposed over the next five years. The personal property tax rate was reduced by seven cents this year (from $3.64 to $3.57) to offset the change in valuation method associated with going to a permanent decal. BOARD SETS MEETING DATES THROUGH AUGUST (April 11, 2006) The Hanover Board of Supervisors has set its meeting schedule through the end of the summer. The Board’s next meeting is April 26, beginning at 2 p.m. In May, the Board meets on May 10 beginning at 2 p.m. and May 24 at 6 p.m. In June, the Board will meet on June 14 at 2 p.m. and June 28 at 6 p.m. The Board has a regularly-scheduled meeting only once in July and August, on July 26 and August 23. Both of those meetings begin at 2 p.m. Photographs of citizens being recognized by the Board can be viewed at www.co.hanover.va.us/board/proclamations.htm VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR “HERITAGE DAY” (April 11, 2006) “Hanover Heritage Day” is one of the County’s biggest and most popular events, drawing more than 10,000 people last year. Volunteers are needed to help with this year’s event, which will be held on May 20, 2006, at Hanover Courthouse. “This is a fantastic opportunity to serve as an ambassador for Hanover County and contribute to an event that is becoming a great tradition,” said Dr. Charles Harrill, Volunteer Coordinator for the “Heritage Day” Citizens Committee. Harrill invites individuals as well as community service organizations to participate in this very worthwhile event. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Volunteers are needed to staff the information booth, greet visitors, coordinate stage acts, to host building tours, help set up exhibits, keep the grounds beautiful, assist with parking and coordinate oxen rides and gunpowder demonstrations. “There are a lot of opportunities to do different things, all of which are important to the event going off smoothly,” Harrill said. An application form can be downloaded here. More information can be obtained by contacting:
“Hanover Heritage Day” is being celebrated a week earlier this year. May 20 is the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. Hours will remain 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and there is no admission charge. HELEN BERLEKAMP HONORED BY H.S.T.C. (April 11, 2006) The Hanover Senior Travel Commission (H.S.T.C.) honored one of its founding members, the late Helen Berlekamp, last week by presenting her family members with a Certificate of Appreciation “to honor her contributions to our community and our memory.” A longtime employee of the Hanover General District Court, Helen joined the H.S.T.C. in 1993 and helped plan and execute trips. During her service with the H.S.T.C., she participated in as many trips as possible and helped keep prices down for seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes. Vice president of the H.S.T.C. for 12 years before her death, Helen was active getting seniors to travel and was a host on many trips. She also became a valuable volunteer for Hanover Parks and Recreation during her retirement and, Director Brad Ashley recalled, “she was always willing to help in any way that she could”, including assisting with clerical functions. Ashley and Rudy Ingroff, the president of the H.S.T.C., presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Helen’s grandson and other family members during a ceremony held at the Pole Green Park Community Center. Sponsored by Hanover Parks and Recreation, the H.S.T.C. has been recognized as an Achievement Award winner by the National Association of Counties. About 400 senior citizens joined trips managed by the H.S.T.C. last year. SPRING ISSUE OF “THE HANOVER REVIEW” IS ONLINE (April 11, 2006) The Spring 2006 issue of “The Hanover Review”, Hanover County’s quarterly Newsletter, can be seen on the Hanover County website at http://www.co.hanover.va.us/pio/review/review.htm What you can do to help keep Hanover clean is the lead story this issue, along with information about the County’s Bus Tour of historical sites on May 13 and the May 20 “Heritage Day” celebration. The current issue of “The Hanover Review” also contains information about the Comprehensive Plan Update, the new Medical Dispatch System used by 911 call takers and the County’s “Earth Day” events on April 22. The “Interview” guest is Marilyn Blake, Assistant County Administrator, talking about the recently-completed County Survey. “The Hanover Review” is mailed to every address (residential and commercial) in Hanover County. For more information call Tom Harris, Public Information Officer, at 365-6402, or e-mail htharris@co.hanover.va.us. The next issue of “The Hanover Review” will be mailed in June 2006. Positions Posted Readvertising Head Start Teacher for Inclusion Classroom (deadline
April 21).
|
