Middlesex Board approves $1 million loan from county reserves to EDA for real‑estate acquisition; repayment terms not yet finalized

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors approved a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment to appropriate $1,000,000 from county fund balance as a loan to the Middlesex Economic Development Authority (EDA) for a real‑estate acquisition intended to expand access to the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay.

County staff read the amendment and explained it would increase the county’s capital projects fund and the FY2026 total budget. County Administrator Walker cited state budget-code requirements for public hearings when a budget amendment exceeds 1% of the adopted budget (Code of Virginia § 15.2‑2506 and § 15.2‑2507 were referenced in the meeting record). The amendment was presented as a loan from county reserves to the EDA to support purchase of a parcel the EDA has been negotiating to acquire.

John Anzavino, chairman of the Middlesex Economic Development Authority, told the board the EDA has identified “a suitable site” that would provide additional access to the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay and that the loan would help the EDA realize goals in the county’s comprehensive plan, the EDA strategic plan and a tourism action plan. He said the EDA lacks the full purchase funds and that similar loans have been used elsewhere as seed money to promote economic development.

Two members of the public spoke during the hearing. Dawn Moore of Burrows Marina Road said she opposed the loan, arguing county residents lacked transparency and that additional marina or waterway development was unnecessary. Michael Nez of Locust Hill expressed conditional support for increasing water access but asked the board to account for unspecified additional expenses tied to the acquisition and urged consideration of other county needs such as schools.

Board members asked about repayment. County Administrator Walker said repayment terms had not been finalized and that staff and counsel were exchanging paperwork. He described the board's tentative agreement as allowing the EDA a loan with possible forbearance of up to two years of initial payments while the EDA pursues grants to reduce acquisition costs; Walker said county funds were available to make payments if necessary but that the details would be set in a separate agreement.

Mr. Crittenden moved to adopt the budget amendment; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Jesse, Mr. Williams and Chairman Don Harris. The board did not adopt a separate loan agreement at the meeting; staff and legal counsel will negotiate and present repayment terms in a subsequent action.