JCSA board approves EPA grant budget shifts, sewer design contract and narrows connection rule for minor subdivisions

The James City Service Authority Board of Directors on the evening of the meeting approved three agenda measures affecting water and sewer infrastructure: a budget amendment tied to a $2,490,000 EPA grant for Lake Tawaño Estates, a $168,332 design-services contract for sanitary sewer replacement in historic Toano, and a revision to the requirement to connect for minor subdivisions.

Staff told the board the Lake Tawaño water-main replacement project was accelerated into fiscal 2025 after the EPA grant and that a previously budgeted $1 million in the FY26 budget should be removed. "We had initially thought that this project would take place in fiscal year 26 and we had budgeted a million dollars in the FY 26 budget for this project but since it was accelerated and the approval occurred in fiscal year 25, we're now asking you to amend the fiscal year 26 budget by eliminating the million dollars that was initially budgeted," staff said. The board approved the budget amendment by roll-call vote.

The board also approved awarding a $168,332 contract to Kimberly Horn and Associates for design services to replace about 3,200 feet of vitrified-clay sanitary sewer mains in Toano with PVC. "The project consists of replacing approximately 3,200 feet of sanitary sewer main along Richmond Road, Church Lane, School Lane, and Chesapeake Avenue," staff said. Funding for 80% of the design cost is provided through a community grant; the remainder will come from the Sewer Fund capital improvement budget.

Directors next voted to amend JCSA regulations on the requirement to connect for minor subdivisions. Under the approved change, a minor subdivision would be required to connect only when it is within 1,000 feet of "usable infrastructure," which staff defined as any Authority water main, sewer main or facility not requiring upgrades to accommodate the development. Staff emphasized the change applies only to minor subdivisions; major subdivisions would still be required to connect in all circumstances.

During public comment, resident Linda Rice of Forge Road said she was not opposed to an upcoming amendment but urged the board to exercise due diligence because a Payne family-owned 50-acre parcel currently zoned A-1 could be rezoned to R-6 and later sold to a developer. "As this case moves forward, I would hope that all of you ... would do what I would call really due diligence in reviewing the eventual master plan for the use of that property," she said.

All three staff-recommended items carried on roll-call votes. Staff said they would follow up on budget questions and other operational items raised during the meeting.

The authority's next quarterly staff event was announced for 11 a.m. the following day; the board adjourned its meeting to the routine schedule.