Nottoway sets aside $8.2 million to cover future landfill closure costs

Nottoway County supervisors voted Thursday to commit $8.2 million of unassigned fund balance to cover the future closure of the county landfill.

The board adopted a resolution directing the county administrator to hold $8,200,000 in reserve through fiscal 2035 or until the landfill closure is complete, whichever comes later. County Administrator Steve Bowen read the resolution during the meeting and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The nut graf: county staff and board members said the reserve is intended to avoid surprise levies on taxpayers when closure work and long-term post‑closure monitoring begin. Consultants’ estimates cited in the meeting ranged from roughly $6.5 million to $9.1 million depending on scope and timing, and the board said committing funds now will make budgeting and audit reporting clearer.

Board members discussed recent technical reports and noted uncertainty in final closure costs. Bowen told the board the auditors advised formalizing a committed reserve so the county’s audited fund balance does not overstate unrestricted cash. Supervisors emphasized the reserve is committed for landfill closure and cannot be used for other purposes unless the board adopts a successor resolution.

The board also discussed how the reserve will work if the county opens an additional landfill cell before closure: supervisors may add to the committed amount if projected costs rise. The board’s motion specified an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Ending: County staff said they will report the committed amount in the fiscal-year audit and continue to update supervisors as engineering and permitting for closure advance.