Prince George supervisors raise elderly-and-disabled tax thresholds, approve wastewater feasibility study and several contracts
January 14, 2025 | Prince George County, Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Prince George County’s Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 approved several measures with potential near-term impacts on taxpayers, infrastructure planning and stormwater projects.
The board voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the county’s elderly-and-disabled tax-relief ordinance and to move forward with a wastewater feasibility study and a stream-restoration repair contract, among other routine approvals. The board also completed a closed session certification and made one appointment to the Planning Commission.
The ordinance change presented at the public hearing would raise income and asset thresholds used to determine eligibility for real-estate tax relief for residents 65 and older or residents under 65 who are permanently and totally disabled. County legal staff told the board that, under the proposal, the total combined annual income cap would increase by $10,000 to $55,000 from the current $45,000. Staff also said the income threshold that qualifies for a full (100%) exemption would rise from $28,000 to $40,000; income between the higher threshold and the $55,000 cap would qualify for a reduced (50%) exemption. The proposal would raise the net combined financial-worth limit at the end of the year to $130,000, $10,000 above the current limit. The board approved the ordinance after a public hearing with no speakers registered.
Why it matters: County staff said the exemptions are governed by state law (Virginia Code §58.1‑3210) and that the county’s current local code sections governing the exemption had not been updated since 2009. The changes affect eligibility for property-tax relief for seniors and disabled residents and will be applied under the updated local ordinance the board adopted.
Wastewater feasibility study and grant timing
The board approved a $45,000 contract with WW Associates to study an alternate wastewater routing option that would send Prince George flow to an existing treatment plant in neighboring Sussex County rather than building a full-scale, county-owned plant or relying entirely on the City of Hopewell. County staff described the action as due diligence: the county has been pursuing a potential $10 million grant (referenced in meeting materials as from VEDP) but needs a demonstrated, viable long-term solution for wastewater discharge before April 1 to retain eligibility under the grant timeline.
County staff said Sussex County’s plant is currently permitted for about 1.6 million gallons per day (MGD) and would require staged upgrades to reach roughly 8 MGD if Prince George were to send most of its flow there. Staff also described an opportunity to reuse an abandoned methane gas pipeline for part of a force main, which could reduce the length of new pipe that would need to be installed. The feasibility study will evaluate pipeline routing options, the condition and suitability of the abandoned line, required upgrades to the Sussex facility, and cost estimates. The board authorized the study to run in parallel with the Hopewell capacity study; staff expects the Hopewell study to report in mid- to late February and WW Associates’ study to report by late February or March, per the consultant’s proposal.
Why it matters: The study is intended to preserve access to a potential $10 million grant and to give the board alternative solutions for county wastewater needs if the Hopewell option proves infeasible or insufficient. Staff noted that a long-term partnership in Sussex might also allow Prince George to take an ownership role rather than remain only a customer, which could affect future rates and development financing.
Stream-restoration contract
The board awarded a contract to Summit Environmental Services to perform corrective stream-restoration work in Cedar Creek subdivisions. The original DEQ-funded stream restoration work was completed in 2020 but was damaged by a storm soon afterward; outstanding permit work and reimbursements remain open with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Summit’s low bid was $318,096.60. Staff recommended the award and asked the board to authorize a contingency equal to the remaining budgeted amount so the county can cover additional rock or other materials if field conditions require them; staff described the contingency as the balance remaining in the project budget and said reimbursements from DEQ will replenish the stormwater fund when the corrective work is complete.
Other actions and housekeeping
- The board confirmed its closed-session certification after meeting in closed session to discuss an appointment under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act exemption for personnel (Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)). The motion to enter closed session was moved and second on the record, and the board later voted to certify that only the matters identified in the motion were discussed.
- The board appointed Willie Briscoe Jr. to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Commission (term through Dec. 31, 2027).
- The board approved a resolution to align Planning Commission compensation with other advisory bodies by compensating members only for meetings they attend (rather than for membership alone).
- The board authorized a one-time $1,500 payment to the 6th District court administrator, funded from a state judicial expense account at the request of the local judge; county staff confirmed the state will reimburse the county for that payment and the county is required to approve such bonuses by local code.
What’s next
Staff will return with the WW Associates feasibility report and with the Hopewell study results as they become available; the county must demonstrate an acceptable wastewater solution by April 1 to preserve the referenced grant opportunity. The tax-relief ordinance will be implemented under the county code changes the board approved. The stormwater corrective work will proceed after a contractor notice to proceed and pending normal field contingencies; staff expects to claim the DEQ reimbursements once the work is completed and permits closed.
Public comment recorded at the meeting included a resident who thanked supervisors for attending a recent community meeting and urged the board to consider taxpayer impacts during the upcoming budget season, saying, “this county is well known for its thirst for spending” and asking the board to “think about the taxpayer first.”
The board’s votes on the listed items were unanimous on Jan. 14.
The board voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the county’s elderly-and-disabled tax-relief ordinance and to move forward with a wastewater feasibility study and a stream-restoration repair contract, among other routine approvals. The board also completed a closed session certification and made one appointment to the Planning Commission.
The ordinance change presented at the public hearing would raise income and asset thresholds used to determine eligibility for real-estate tax relief for residents 65 and older or residents under 65 who are permanently and totally disabled. County legal staff told the board that, under the proposal, the total combined annual income cap would increase by $10,000 to $55,000 from the current $45,000. Staff also said the income threshold that qualifies for a full (100%) exemption would rise from $28,000 to $40,000; income between the higher threshold and the $55,000 cap would qualify for a reduced (50%) exemption. The proposal would raise the net combined financial-worth limit at the end of the year to $130,000, $10,000 above the current limit. The board approved the ordinance after a public hearing with no speakers registered.
Why it matters: County staff said the exemptions are governed by state law (Virginia Code §58.1‑3210) and that the county’s current local code sections governing the exemption had not been updated since 2009. The changes affect eligibility for property-tax relief for seniors and disabled residents and will be applied under the updated local ordinance the board adopted.
Wastewater feasibility study and grant timing
The board approved a $45,000 contract with WW Associates to study an alternate wastewater routing option that would send Prince George flow to an existing treatment plant in neighboring Sussex County rather than building a full-scale, county-owned plant or relying entirely on the City of Hopewell. County staff described the action as due diligence: the county has been pursuing a potential $10 million grant (referenced in meeting materials as from VEDP) but needs a demonstrated, viable long-term solution for wastewater discharge before April 1 to retain eligibility under the grant timeline.
County staff said Sussex County’s plant is currently permitted for about 1.6 million gallons per day (MGD) and would require staged upgrades to reach roughly 8 MGD if Prince George were to send most of its flow there. Staff also described an opportunity to reuse an abandoned methane gas pipeline for part of a force main, which could reduce the length of new pipe that would need to be installed. The feasibility study will evaluate pipeline routing options, the condition and suitability of the abandoned line, required upgrades to the Sussex facility, and cost estimates. The board authorized the study to run in parallel with the Hopewell capacity study; staff expects the Hopewell study to report in mid- to late February and WW Associates’ study to report by late February or March, per the consultant’s proposal.
Why it matters: The study is intended to preserve access to a potential $10 million grant and to give the board alternative solutions for county wastewater needs if the Hopewell option proves infeasible or insufficient. Staff noted that a long-term partnership in Sussex might also allow Prince George to take an ownership role rather than remain only a customer, which could affect future rates and development financing.
Stream-restoration contract
The board awarded a contract to Summit Environmental Services to perform corrective stream-restoration work in Cedar Creek subdivisions. The original DEQ-funded stream restoration work was completed in 2020 but was damaged by a storm soon afterward; outstanding permit work and reimbursements remain open with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Summit’s low bid was $318,096.60. Staff recommended the award and asked the board to authorize a contingency equal to the remaining budgeted amount so the county can cover additional rock or other materials if field conditions require them; staff described the contingency as the balance remaining in the project budget and said reimbursements from DEQ will replenish the stormwater fund when the corrective work is complete.
Other actions and housekeeping
- The board confirmed its closed-session certification after meeting in closed session to discuss an appointment under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act exemption for personnel (Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)). The motion to enter closed session was moved and second on the record, and the board later voted to certify that only the matters identified in the motion were discussed.
- The board appointed Willie Briscoe Jr. to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Commission (term through Dec. 31, 2027).
- The board approved a resolution to align Planning Commission compensation with other advisory bodies by compensating members only for meetings they attend (rather than for membership alone).
- The board authorized a one-time $1,500 payment to the 6th District court administrator, funded from a state judicial expense account at the request of the local judge; county staff confirmed the state will reimburse the county for that payment and the county is required to approve such bonuses by local code.
What’s next
Staff will return with the WW Associates feasibility report and with the Hopewell study results as they become available; the county must demonstrate an acceptable wastewater solution by April 1 to preserve the referenced grant opportunity. The tax-relief ordinance will be implemented under the county code changes the board approved. The stormwater corrective work will proceed after a contractor notice to proceed and pending normal field contingencies; staff expects to claim the DEQ reimbursements once the work is completed and permits closed.
Public comment recorded at the meeting included a resident who thanked supervisors for attending a recent community meeting and urged the board to consider taxpayer impacts during the upcoming budget season, saying, “this county is well known for its thirst for spending” and asking the board to “think about the taxpayer first.”
The board’s votes on the listed items were unanimous on Jan. 14.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meetingSponsors
Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Virginia articles free in 2025
