Fluvanna supervisors authorize A&E contract, schedule meals-tax hearing and approve leases, zoning changes and resolutions

Fluvanna County supervisors voted Jan. 22 to advance a set of administrative, land-use and revenue actions, including awarding a professional services contract, scheduling a public hearing for a possible local meals tax and approving a tenant lease.

Architecture and engineering: The board selected Antares Design of Richmond to provide architecture-and-engineering services, including a space study and evaluation, for the county’s proposed new administration and social-services building and for renovation of existing county buildings. County staff said Antares submitted a nonbinding estimate of $136,295 for the space study. The board authorized the county administrator to execute contracts, subject to legal review. Motion to approve the contract was made by Supervisor O’Brien and seconded by Supervisor Goodall; the chair recorded the vote in favor.

Food and beverage tax: Under Virginia law localities may now impose a local meals or food-and-beverage tax by ordinance, and county staff presented an analysis estimating a Fluvanna meals tax could generate about $300,000–$600,000 depending on the rate. The board voted to advertise a proposed ordinance setting the maximum local rate at…