[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6216146,"mediaKeyId","3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f","parentId",3654673,"title","King George service authority seeks short-term financing to fund Dahlgren plant fixes; engineers outline $4M in near-term work","audioSeconds",2820,"startMs",5880000,"endMs",8700000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f&start=5880&end=8700","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f/thumbnail_5880000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216146/King-George-County/Virginia/King-George-service-authority-seeks-short-term-financing-to-fund-Dahlgren-plant-fixes-engineers-outline-4M-in-near-term-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216146-3524accbce4aef836ceebb38ab19850a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009092&Signature=ZkHF1DmuNVaaH4p-9G8RzM39C8dD~PltE2Lu58vBOPY4E5KAdqRSdk6aduX6MJpK8TH129BIwzhwXPPVO7eUwj2cNgL7jEu1heysy8b7srZp0OH0E9-G3LUUQhGZniwJRi62MLZnnQJCgPlvDpmt7qEzmXPEQXJ70RLA3-yjr2nUw~tVA2osP08sVAKHHqOnVL2KzT1X5SqzCZpKgokVD538kRMy1puxwa1qD065riMr0jjZSRgeYpjimU8mUqHahh8AoDJKGlAjaQz0kn9QFn41Tv~UCd5Y649-tbdtcGsoorDwTDt5bZMm00FEkQVAm1uqY3uOOR2aha2llGXMDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","King George County Government","date","2025-06-04T04:11:21Z","article","Dahlgren wastewater officials and outside consultants told county leaders on June 3 that immediate repairs and upgrades at the Dahlgren wastewater treatment plant are needed to meet state discharge limits and avoid future enforcement. Davenport & Company, the service authority's financial adviser, recommended interim financing of roughly the amount of the near-term needs to preserve the utility's cash balance and maintain flexibility for possible grants, while Bowman and TRC engineers presented technical fixes and cost estimates.

The service authority and county heard three linked presentations: Davenport outlined a funding strategy for about $4 million of immediate capital work; Bowman Engineering described priority upgrades at the Dahlgren plant (aeration system replacement, improved internal recycling pumps, blower replacement and influent-pump-station rehabilitation); and TRC presented a preliminary engineering report to evaluate decommissioning Oakland Park and rerouting flows to Hopyard/Dahlgren if that proves practical.

Davenport recommended short-term interim borrowing with a 2-to-5-year maturity. David Rose, Davenport's financial adviser, told the service authority board that borrowing short-term preserves the utility's roughly $8.5 million cash balance so it continues to earn interest; the interest earned on that balance roughly offsets the likely interim financing cost. That approach, Rose said, keeps the authority's options open: if grants or other cash become available later the short-term debt can be paid down; if not, the authority can convert any remaining interim loan to long-term financing. Rose said the interim step also protects credit standing and flexibility for larger future projects.

Engineers described near-term technical work they say is necessary for permit compliance. Bowman's presentation identified four high-priority improvements: replacing the plant's aging surface aerators with above-the-surface mechanical mixers that are easier to maintain and control (budget: $2.9 million including contingency and engineering); installing a mechanical high-rate internal recycle pump and flow metering to improve biological nutrient removal (budget: about $830,000); replacing unsupported blower equipment (estimated $825,000); and rehabilitating the influent pumping station's corroded piping, valves and interior concrete so staff can access and maintain valves and pumps (about $254,000). Engineer representatives said estimates include contingencies and preliminary design and will be refined during full design.

Separately, TRC and the service authority are finalizing a preliminary engineering report (PER) on decommissioning Oakland Park Wastewater Treatment Plant and sending flows to Hopyard/Dahlgren. TRC said the PER draft needs additional financial inputs from the authority before it can be finalized; the consultant and county staff agreed to produce requested financial detail and additional edits so the PER can be completed by the end of June for board review in July.

Board and service-authority members pressed for additional details on exact costs, electrical service capacity, and whether interim borrowing would lead to higher rates. Service-authority staff said they will examine the utility's cash flow and interest allocations (treasury interest currently going to the pooled county account) and said some corrective accounting steps have already been initiated so the Water & Sewer Fund receives interest revenue it should have been paid in prior years.

Actions and next steps

- The King George Service Authority directed its advisers to solicit proposals for interim financing. Davenport was authorized to work with bond counsel to distribute an RFP to potential lenders and return results to the boards for decision (motion passed; one board member abstained). The authority will seek financing terms designed to allow quick payoff if grants arrive.
- Consultants and staff agreed to finalize the Dahlgren immediate-needs design and to return refined cost estimates. TRC agreed to finish the Oakland Park PER after receiving additional financial data by the end of June.
- The county's finance and service-authority staff will run updated cash-flow scenarios and compute the likely impact on rates under different financing choices. Staff said they will present results to the boards before any permanent borrowing decision.

Why this matters

The Dahlgren plant currently faces increasingly stringent nutrient permit requirements. Engineers said existing equipment and single points of failure make meeting the permit unreliable; state enforcement and fines are an explicit risk if performance does not improve. The proposed interim financing balances near-term compliance and long-term rate pressures by preserving interest-earning cash while allowing immediate repairs.

Speakers quoted

\"If you take that $4 million out of your fund balance, you'll lose the interest earnings that help minimize pressure on user rates. We recommend interim financing so you keep your powder dry,\" David Rose, financial adviser, Davenport & Company.

\"These basins are difficult to dewater and the current units have reached the end of their useful life. Above-surface mechanical mixers will be easier to maintain and control,\" Jeff Crowellinger, Bowman Engineering (engineer presentation).

Ending

Consultants recommended a cautious three-step path: finalize technical designs and refined estimates, solicit short-term interim financing to preserve flexibility and interest earnings, then convert or pay down the interim debt if grants or other cash becomes available. Authority and county staff will present firm financing bids and refined designs at upcoming meetings for formal decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","King George BOS and BOD 6/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dahlgren wastewater officials and consultants told the King George Service Authority and Board of Supervisors on June 3 that roughly $4 million of immediate upgrades are needed at the Dahlgren treatment plant to meet state nutrient limits, and recommended short-term interim financing to preserve cash and keep grant options open.","taxTitle","King George County, Virginia","taxId",31001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216142,"Daisy Hill solar project draws public concern over easements, drainage and visibility; supervisors defer decision",3382,12840000,16222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f&start=12840&end=16222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f/thumbnail_12840000.jpg","/articles/6216142/King-George-County/Virginia/Daisy-Hill-solar-project-draws-public-concern-over-easements-drainage-and-visibility-supervisors-defer-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216142-84f2c07d61185b6c1ce5d081e7b32076/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009092&Signature=Gq9CHX4Pd8i-fAz0OuwRnYtcwMMr0qwml8vgfZQhlQ34eFoLqYgXVoNNOdPenvVvcTi2bGoys2Vy7~DCLbFpgmNJgbJ1keZsa1GEYs4PqLmAHd-Pe59txxeR1kDcVeWqJmYN97MoHL01FzPMtJXsSrzmt4y5FhrOyzCl7l3k7eE-H~7yrm-WvNFw8AYSosrnrn4ocqFfh3mbPVzl8nJpUowJZdsh1Zbf~KloYPIGPOB-ql7lJ~8AiIwm~2RNc51gLLk-uJ-~JwPZ3GD1q8OU7fhGiXYNsQqO6MxnoxHiNa~BcDpXU~55sCBIi8aqKNelAKUZ-Pm4BfmOLHJ3y4KyLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The King George Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on June 3 for a special-exception permit filed by Davis Hill Development to build a 2.7-megawatt community solar array on a roughly 83-acre parcel accessed from Daisy Lane. Developers said the project would occupy about 12 acres, use screened perimeter setbacks and provide discounted \"community solar\" subscriptions to county electric customers. The planning commission had recommended approval by an 8-1 vote.

Public speakers raised three recurring concerns: (1) whether a legal access easement (Daisy Lane, a narrow gravel road) exists across neighboring property, (2) whether conversion of the site to solar will increase stormwater runoff along local draws and Peppermill Creek and potentially flood downstream properties including a private shooting facility, and (3) the visual impact when deciduous screening loses leaf cover in winter and the extent to which winter visual simulations had been provided.

The applicant's team said the site was selected to minimize visibility and said it has long-term lease rights on the primary parcel; they provided visual simulations and engineering plans and said they will fund all required interconnection upgrades. Counsel for the applicant said the developers had performed title and deed research showing historic access rights and asked the board either to approve the permit or defer to allow the developer and neighbors to resolve the narrow access/easement questions.

Board action and next steps

At the hearing's conclusion the developer agreed to a deferral and the board set the matter for further consideration at its first July meeting (July 1, 2025). County staff and the developer committed to exchange additional documents: the developer to make available title/easement research and the county to ensure DEQ and stormwater review details are completed during site-plan review if the special exception ultimately proceeds. The applicant also asked for a short rebuttal opportunity when the matter is next considered.

Why this matters

Community solar projects can bring local tax revenue and subscription discounts for customers, but they also raise local concerns about land-use conversions, off-site drainage effects and long-term decommissioning. Neighbors emphasized the narrow, unpaved access road and possible impacts on downstream property; the developer emphasized screening, funding for interconnection upgrades and the project's community benefits.

Speakers quoted

\"We are confident the right-of-way exists going back to deeds in 1912, but if the board prefers, we can delay so the title issues are entirely resolved,\" said Andy Brownstein, counsel for the applicant.

\"We're concerned about additional rainwater; that property is higher and the lower parts of our range already flood. We need assurances this project will not add runoff onto our land,\" said Pete Waltman, president, Northern Virginia Shooting Facility.

Ending

The board deferred vote until its meeting on July 1, allowing time for the developer to supply additional title evidence and for staff to collate stormwater and DEQ-review materials for the public record. The deferral preserves the applicant's standing while giving neighbors time to secure clarifications they said were missing at the hearing.","A developer seeking a special-exception permit for a 2.7 MW, 12-acre solar array on Daisy Lane faced questions from neighbors on June 3 about access easements, downstream runoff and winter visibility; the board deferred action until July 1 to allow title and stormwater questions to be resolved.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216132,"County awards tourism grant to Saint Paul's Oktoberfest, board clarifies merchandise sponsorship rules",1440,12480000,13920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f&start=12480&end=13920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f/thumbnail_12480000.jpg","/articles/6216132/King-George-County/Virginia/County-awards-tourism-grant-to-Saint-Pauls-Oktoberfest-board-clarifies-merchandise-sponsorship-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216132-b6e7732cde23a26a6d46ffe2e5bdad29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009092&Signature=liY-QY2gsi8lTidcpK1Tq334k1SwXBbtdY-c0MSNmefa~LSEp0VL8sHObjbxBIa8S83Dud5lccRBSZwQZhVLmAdn7n5nAYsACIwFt2CcDHKO-2WqcH4jIo~VWSwDDYCZyEfwRmmUmzGwijaKpPWVJ-ZS4HYxBA-ea6nsY9-E-RKibWvvRavagmR~bZBEFt5iY3wUqV-JOusgU7riegoeHhXL3Lde4diN1Cs2Cphk1QNGhgUmFzXSDudcg1zqEobm7wiz5jue4y6L9uvg-xPcS9Jhaezw7OsC1hOE43z3YvS4LOpK0AbkB4oPHn3gMog6cD8viDJhaGpIjUOqo9cCxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The King George Board of Supervisors on June 3 approved a tourism grant award for Saint Paul's Oktoberfest for fiscal year 2025-26 and clarified how unused discretionary sponsorship funds may be applied to promotional merchandise.

The county's Tourism Advisory Committee had recommended the festival receive funds to support printed marketing ($2,000), parking and signage ($2,500), a music stipend ($450) and a tent-permit fee waiver. The committee's calculation follows a new grant format that seeks to limit marketing-only requests while allowing up to 10% of marketing funds for certain non-marketing event costs. Saint Paul's original application qualified them for a 60% upfront grant payment and the remaining 40% to be released after the event and required reporting.

The board's vote approved the initial $2,970 disbursement; staff explained the applicant would receive the additional $1,980 after meeting post-event reporting requirements. Separately, board members asked whether the county should authorize additional discretionary sponsorship funds (from tourism revenue) to produce promotional merchandise bearing the county's logo. Two options were discussed: (1) allow the organizer to sell county-funded branded merchandise as a fundraiser, with accounting controls, or (2) the county could produce the items and distribute them for free at a county-branded booth at the event. Board members directed staff to allow the second approach (county-supplied giveaways) as the cleaner option, though staff said either approach could be used if the organizer preferred to manage sales and accounting.

Why this matters

Tourism grants are funded from transient-occupancy (lodging) tax receipts. Support for festivals helps attract visitors and local spending but raises questions about equitable use of tourism dollars and controls when promotional materials are produced with public funds.

Board action

The board approved the grant award and accepted staff's recommended process for discretionary sponsorship items, including the option for county-produced giveaways at the event.

Quote

\"If it's cleaner for everybody, we can provide the merchandise at our booth so there's no debate about accounting and whether tax dollars are being converted to private benefit,\" said Supervisor Davis.

Ending

Saint Paul's Oktoberfest will receive the approved grant funding; county tourism staff will work with the organizer on the post-event reporting requirements and merchandising arrangement in advance of the festival.","The Board of Supervisors approved a $2,970 initial tourism grant for Saint Paul's Oktoberfest, with a $1,980 follow-up payment contingent on post-event reporting. Board members also gave staff discretionary authority to fund promotional merchandise under two options: county-branded items can either be provided for free at the event by the tourism",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":92,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216137,"King George schools to buy 15 weapon-detection units after board signoff; units are mobile and not leased",6900,20820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f&start=13920&end=20820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3654673-22015129852c1133111e8f668222b81f/thumbnail_13920000.jpg","/articles/6216137/King-George-County/Virginia/King-George-schools-to-buy-15-weapon-detection-units-after-board-signoff-units-are-mobile-and-not-leased","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216137-e14a7e028a350c51c1f45e0f801825f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009092&Signature=Ixa61q1lfyVobOhEq9NaninD15mVCpQWPcfQNzT4Di4LvNbNLj7WDjJGJ7NK8fsBw-D4LNKyrLNLzsYSOnxGYVeMaPIzIlHh4pbO2WQRLJeHb74DW7yhnqs3ewvP4htEu2WsWJTJuZTqVID7KnIgKJcbA4DdKSShDhWSXFdvfdh~2grAxBEQpDcMsg8yXpTIrPGYdJDkCAQ7-5MOaHqhfqlGiX8B1Xj8b5eIsBlnvk-hxrEKE~lvOV3gLVAWeEWkfLOj9SnO3Q90fGS0-oggPhTChZWfbyFqssCs69dhrOmZLaRrwph~3P7hPuZfk0rHpSnVMsXbsMiM3SmokgW--g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","King George County supervisors on June 3 approved the school division's purchase of 15 weapon-detection systems from Open Gate (contract amount approximately $270,132), following a unanimous vote by the School Board the night before. The systems are mobile, owner-purchased units intended for entry screening across all schools rather than a fixed leased portal.

School officials said the package covers five units for the high school, four for the middle school and two units for each elementary school. Each detection set includes towers fitted with multiple antennas; units can be re-positioned across doorways and can be calibrated for different detection sensitivity (from major firearms to smaller metal objects). School staff stated the systems are not leased—the division will buy the equipment outright—and the manufacturer performs initial setup and training; school administrators will operate and re-deploy units as needed.

Supervisors approved a motion to authorize the purchase, conditioned on school counsel's review of the vendor contract. County administrators also noted that contract terms will be reviewed for standard government procurement protections (choice of law, dispute venue and warranty terms) before final execution.

Why this matters

The systems offer a rapid-setup, mobile screening capability the division can use at school entrances or at special events. The board's vote used existing school funds and is intended to make screening less costly than previously considered fixed portals that were priced in the high hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Quote

\"These are mobile towers that can be recalibrated quickly. They give us a practical way to screen at school entries without the expense of a full fixed portal system,\" Superintendent Boyd said at the meeting.

Next steps

School counsel will review final contracts and the division will coordinate vendor training and deployment details with school and safety staff. The board asked procurement and legal staff to confirm contract venue and warranty language are consistent with county policy before execution.","The Board of Supervisors approved the King George School Division's purchase of 15 mobile weapon-detection units and accessories to deploy across the division. The systems are stand-alone, battery/plug-powered units with adjustable sensitivity and are owned outright by the schools; the board's vote authorized use of school funds subject to attorn","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

King George service authority seeks short-term financing to fund Dahlgren plant fixes; engineers outline $4M in near-term work

Daisy Hill solar project draws public concern over easements, drainage and visibility; supervisors defer decision

County awards tourism grant to Saint Paul's Oktoberfest, board clarifies merchandise sponsorship rules

King George schools to buy 15 weapon-detection units after board signoff; units are mobile and not leased