Board of Supervisors adopts amended County budget

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors has adopted a $478 million Fiscal Year 2021 County budget that reflects the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus. County Administrator Cecil R. Harris Jr. identified $10.2 million in cuts to the general fund, a decrease of about 3.7% from the budget he had proposed in February. The changes included elimination of the proposed 2% merit pay increase for county and school employees and removal of funding for new positions in FY21. The County’s contribution to the school system increases by $1.3 million in the adopted budget. Further impacts to Education funding from the State are being reviewed with the School Board. The Board voted unanimously to adopt and appropriate the budget and five year financial plan, which includes no tax rate increases. There also will be no increases in Department of Public Utilities rates or fees in FY21. The budget proposed in February had included rate increases of 3% for water use, 4% for sewer use and 5% for capacity fees.

Board meets on Wednesday night

The Board of Supervisors meets on Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. Mike Flagg, Director of Public Works, will ask the Board to authorize a public hearing on a proposed request of the Virginia Department of Transportation to restrict through truck on Atlee Station Road, New Ashcake Road and Peaks Road. This is a response to concerns raised by residents regarding future truck traffic on those roads as a result of the Wegman’s distribution center. The proposed public hearing is scheduled to be held on June 24 at 7 p.m. In other public hearings scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on May 13, Flagg will also present the six-year secondary road construction plan. The deadline for submitting Citizens’ Time and public hearing comments is Monday, May 11 at 5 p.m. All Board meetings are videostreamed live and the archived version is generally available on the website the next day.

Hanover Government expands meal kit distribution program

Hanover County Government will continue to make food kits available to the community on Monday, May 11; Wednesday, May 13; and Friday, May 15, at John M. Gandy Elementary School and Mechanicsville Elementary School. The pre-packaged food kits will be available between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on each of these days. On May 13, food will be distributed at two additional sites – South Anna Elementary School in Montpelier and Beaverdam Elementary School in Beaverdam. Those who need food will be able to drive through designated lanes at the school to pick up the kits, with as little human contact as possible for health reasons. Kits include a ready to eat entrée such as chicken salad, tuna salad, or BBQ beef, a tortilla, bag of chips, granola bar, trail mix, cookie, fruit roll up, and juice box. A minimum of one kit per person will be available as supplies last.