• from NBC29.com

    by Published on 09-01-2010 01:05 PM
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    1. from NBC29.com

    Delegate Rob Bell says he is hearing from a lot of Fluvanna County constituents who are worried about Aqua Virginia's proposed water and sewer rate hikes.

    Bell recently wrote a letter to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to make it aware of those concerns. Aqua Virginia is asking that rates be increased by 40 percent for water and 50 percent for sewer at Lake Monticello.

    Right now, the SCC is reviewing the rate increases to determine whether or not they are appropriate.

    "The increases have been so substantial," said 58th District Delegate Bell (R). "Obviously, these are hard economic times. You have people on fixed incomes. They're very worried about paying these increases indefinitely going forward."

    Bell says the commission is hoping to make its ruling in a matter of weeks, not months.
    by Published on 05-14-2010 02:41 PM
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    1. from NBC29.com

    The Fluvanna County School Board approved its $34 million budget Wednesday night. School employees are taking a pay cut to balance a thin budget.

    Salary decreases range from 2 to 4.5 percent and are based on income, but Superintendent Tom Smith says no one will lose his or her job. The district does have 18 openings due to retirement or resignation and some of these positions could be filled.

    The school is operating with $4.5 million less than last year.
    by Published on 04-26-2010 07:35 PM
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    1. Crime/Law Enforcement
    2. from NBC29.com

    Confusion about budget numbers in Fluvanna County may cost constitutional offices there more than $120,000. In times this tight, that is money no one has the room to spare, especially the sheriff.

    Fluvanna County's budget process came unraveled almost as soon as it was finished. Last Wednesday the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors adopted the budget. On Thursday an email was sent out from the finance office saying the numbers were wrong; off by $125,000 because retirement costs were miscalculated.

    Now, the question is: where is the money going to come from to fix it?

    Fluvanna County Sheriff Ryant Washington says his department is being squeezed for most of that money; his share alone would be almost half.

    "We're talking about folk's livelihood," Washington stated.

    Of Washington's $2.1 million budget, 86 percent is personnel and salaries. It has already been slashed by $95,000 this year and another $55,000 could force deputies off the streets.

    "We don't know at this point," said Washington.

    The board of supervisors has called a May 5 meeting to address the budget mistake. They did not return our calls for comment. Interim County Administrator Shelly Wright would not go on camera about the money error, but says it is not the intent of the board to place additional burdens on constitutional offices.

    Still, the sheriff is still feeling the pinch from the first round of cuts.

    "I have confidence that the board will make up the error that was made in the benefits side," Washington said. "But still, that leaves us at $95,000."

    No matter where it comes from, Fluvanna County needs to find $125,000. Wright says prior to next month's meeting she wants to meet with department supervisors, including Sheriff Washington, to talk about the impact this possible funding would have on the department.
    by Published on 04-26-2010 07:31 PM
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    1. from NBC29.com

    The Fluvanna County School Board wants to know what kind of superintendent you think they should hire.

    Monday night they are reviewing a sample survey from the Virginia School Board Association, which is helping with the search. Once approved, the survey will be given to everyone in the county.

    But at this point, it is not clear whether it will be mailed out or available online.
    "Some of the suggestions have been tying it to our web site, so I'm sure that will be used," said Superintendent Tom Smith, who is retiring at the end of June. "But we also have a number of homes and folks in the county that don't have Internet access, so they want to make sure that their opinion is looked at too."

    A public hearing on the search has been scheduled for May 12.
    by Published on 03-03-2010 06:48 PM
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    1. from NBC29.com

    A bill that eases regulations on private dam owners cleared a major hurdle Wednesday in the Virginia House of Delegates.

    The House Agriculture Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which applies to private dams like some in Albemarle County.

    Currently, the state is requiring private owners to make incredibly expensive upgrades to dams lawmakers say are safe.

    Delegate Ed Scott (R) 30th District says, "We're cautiously optimistic that we will maintain appropriate standards for the safe maintenance and care of dams, while still avoiding overly burdensome requirements."

    The bill still needs votes in the full house and senate before it could head to Governor McDonnell's desk.

    Lawmakers estimate the measure affects hundreds of private dams statewide.
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