The Matthews County Board of Supervisors authorized the county administrator on Aug. 21 to sign an agreement with the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission for development of a regional water-supply plan, and accepted a county share of $20,558 for the project.
County staff said the plan is required under state water-supply planning regulations; the resolution cites 9 VAC 25-2-80 (regional water-supply planning requirements) and 9 VAC 25-2-80-10, which requires coordinated cross-jurisdictional planning and submission of a single regional plan. The planning area includes Matthews County and neighboring jurisdictions in the Middle Peninsula.
A board member asked whether the county's share was included in the budget; staff answered it was not budgeted and that the payment would be an additional expense. Board members also asked whether the planning process could lead to requirements to change local water sources; staff said that the planning effort is intended to identify and document water sources and infrastructure, not to mandate immediate changes.
The board voted by roll call to approve the agreement and the county share.
A member of the public who spoke earlier during the meeting questioned the value of paying $20,558 to the regional report and called the plan "of no use to Matthews County," but the board proceeded with the authorization as described in the resolution.