In case you missed the March 9 Board of Supervisors meeting, here is a brief recap of items from the board’s work session and business meeting:
FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET
Chesterfield County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey presented his proposed fiscal year 2023 budget to the board during an afternoon work session.
The $905.1 million operating plan includes an $18 million increase in local funding for Chesterfield County Public Schools, bringing the county’s recurring support to the school system to $347.7 million.
School funding represents the largest share of the budget, at 41%. Combined with public safety (25%), those two priorities continue to receive two-thirds of every dollar allocated from the county’s general fund.
The proposed budget is balanced against a real estate tax rate of 92 cents per $100 of assessed value, which represents a 3-cent cut from the current rate and would be Chesterfield’s lowest in at least the last 50 years.
That’s part of a broad package of local tax relief measures totaling $52 million.
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
In recognition of Virginia’s “Severe Weather Awareness Week,” Jess Robison, Chesterfield’s emergency management coordinator, presented an update to the board on the county’s community preparedness program.
Severe weather is possible as a strong cold front passes through the Richmond area tonight into tomorrow, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and the potential for a small amount of snow.
You can view Robison’s presentation in its entirety below.
CONCERT SERIES RELOCATION
Following a public hearing, the board approved an amendment to Chesterfield’s licensing agreement with Event Makers USA that will allow the company to begin holding concerts at River City Sportsplex this year.
Event Makers, longtime promoter of the former Innsbrook After Hours concert series, entered into a contract with Chesterfield last September to host concerts at the county fairgrounds through the end of 2022. Country artists Chris Janson and Chase Rice performed at the fairgrounds last fall.
County leaders see relocation of the concert series as a way to begin diversifying use of the Genito Road sportsplex, which generated more than $32 million in economic activity and $1.2 million in local tax revenue last year by hosting a variety of youth sports tournaments.
Chesterfield is making some minor improvements to the county-owned facility to accommodate the concert series. In exchange, Event Makers will pay the county a license fee of $7,250 per event, plus $1 per ticket sold, for using part of the sportsplex property as a concert venue.
NEW ANIMAL SHELTER
Chesterfield’s General Services Department received approval from the board to construct a new Animal Services building at the corner of Public Works Road and Government Center Parkway, within the county government complex.
The facility will provide intake, evaluation, rehabilitation and holding services for animals in the care of county Animal Services staff. Until such time that a separate adoption facility is constructed, it also will house adoptive services.
A single-story structure is planned to house up to 78 dogs and 57 cats. The facility also will include office space, outdoor exercise areas and a barn for non-domestic animals.
It will replace the county’s existing animal shelter, which no longer meets the needs of Animal Services and will be demolished upon completion of the new building.
OTTERDALE ROAD WIDENING
The board authorized the award of a $12.8 million construction contract to widen Otterdale Road from two to four lanes between Route 360 and Woolridge Road.
Curtis Contracting Inc. submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid for the Otterdale Road project.
Following the board’s approval, the company will receive a Notice to Proceed on April 8. Work is expected to be completed by April 2023.