Waynesboro council votes to pursue easements for South River Greenway, introduces $3.95 million budget amendment

The Waynesboro City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city to pursue condemnation proceedings to acquire temporary and permanent easements on a parcel identified as tax map 27-1-7 for Phase 4 of the South River Greenway, and introduced an ordinance to amend the fiscal 2025 budget that would add $3,954,794 in appropriations.

Why it matters: The condemnation resolution allows the city to seek court authorization to acquire easements after negotiations with the property owner failed; the budget amendment would add federal and state grant money and local matches to accelerate sewer and water-quality work.

City staff said the Greenway Phase 4 project would construct a 10-foot-wide asphalt path for public recreation and requires easements along the parcel owned by Brian Collins. City staff reported an appraisal of the required easements of $4,100 and said negotiations with the property owner did not produce an agreement, prompting the council to authorize a resolution directing the city to proceed with condemnation in court. The council adopted the resolution by a 5-0 vote after a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke on the item.

The council voted 5-0 earlier in the meeting to adopt the agenda and 5-0 to approve the consent agenda.

Assistant City Manager Cameron McCormick described the budget amendment the council introduced. "The attached budget amendment and appropriation ordinance totaling $3,954,794 is intended to amend the fiscal year 20 25 budget," McCormick said. He said the two largest components are $2,365,000 in federal funds for the sewer fund to address inflow and infiltration and a SLAF grant of $759,000 that requires a $759,000 local match for water-quality projects at Westwood Elementary School and the Riverview Cemetery outfall. McCormick said several smaller grants, donations and recovery costs are included in the package. The ordinance was introduced and the council scheduled a public hearing and final consideration for its March 24 meeting.

During citizen comment the council heard two speakers. Cameron Linehan said he has been trying to move taxation of a fleet of trucks from Waynesboro to Nelson County, saying the trucks are stored in Nelson and that the current allocation leaves the businesses taxed in Waynesboro. "We're being taxed completely in Waynesboro," Linehan said, and he said the trucks amount to about 27 vehicles and that the tax liability is roughly $50,000 a year. Bruce Wiseman raised questions about local costs and salaries, asking why the city has a city manager and two assistant city managers given a population the council estimated at about 22,000.

The council also heard a presentation from the Valley Career and Technical Center Foundation (separate report). The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Adopt meeting agenda — motion carried, ayes 5, nays 0. Adopt consent agenda — motion carried, ayes 5, nays 0. Resolution authorizing condemnation proceedings for easements on tax map 27-1-7 (South River Greenway Phase 4) — motion carried, ayes 5, nays 0; appraisal reported at $4,100; negotiations with property owner Brian Collins unsuccessful. Ordinance introduction: Amend FY2025 budget by $3,954,794 — introduced; public hearing and final consideration scheduled for March 24.

Procedural note: The ordinance introduction was for first reading only; final adoption will require a public hearing and a subsequent vote.