The Board of Supervisors at its April 11 meeting approved adjustments to the water and wastewater fees in Public Utilities.
After holding a public hearing, the BOS unanimously approved increasing the water fees by 10 percent and the wastewater fees by 20 percent. This was the first rate increase in three years.
Utility Director Chip England explained the increase would average to about $11 per month for most residential customers. He said about two-thirds of residential customers will see less than $11 per month because they consume less than the average 5,000 gallons per month.
England further emphasized the additional fee charges will go directly to address repair of the County’s aging infrastructure, as well as keep up with inflationary charges impacting the County from other sources.
The fee adjustments will go into effect July 1.
The Utility Fund is an enterprise fund that customers of the system pay into. Only Public Utility customers will be affected by the increases, not residents and businesses who operate their own wells.
Other matters to come before the BOS at its worksession & meeting:
• Held a public hearing and unanimously set the tax rates for the General Fund at the same levels as FY ’17, with Real Property staying the same at 0.86 per $100 in assessed value and personal property at $4.25.
• Discussed conceptual changes to the Open Burning Ordinance.
• Discussed a proposal for a new voting precinct for Jefferson Park at Faith Baptist Church on Middle Road, to replace the one at the Jefferson Park Fire Station. The BOS also discussed new voting machines that will go into effect at the November General Election.
• Discussed construction of a vehicle storage area behind Carson Volunteer Fire Station.
• Presented a resolution to the James House proclaiming April as ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month.’
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a Budget amendment and appropriation of $104,339 for Fire Program funds.
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution proclaiming April 9-15 as ‘National Animal Control Appreciation Week.’
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution proclaiming April 9-15 as ‘National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.’
• Received the VDOT monthly report.
• Received a report on the activities of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
• Received a report on the opening of the Farmers Market on May 6.
• Received a report on Fire & EMS staffing at the new Tri-Cities Emergency Department.
• Unanimously approved a budget transfer of $10,617.78 from the Capital Improvement Project Fund to cover maintenance at the Central Wellness Center.
• Unanimously approved a resolution to execute a wastewater contract with Luca Italian Restaurant.
• Unanimously approved a resolution to execute a water agreement with Star Express at its new location on South Crater Road.
• Unanimously approved the rates for employee health insurance for FY ’18.
• Held a public hearing and unanimously approved the VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan.
• Held a public hearing and unanimously approved the conveyance of easements to Dominion Power at new Scott Park.
• Unanimously adjourned the meeting to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 for a BOS retreat at the Hopewell-Prince George Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on Oaklawn Boulevard.