Prince George supervisors deadlock on wastewater plan; ask staff to seek short extension on $10M grant
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Summary
The Board of Supervisors tied 2–2 on whether to build a county-owned Sussex wastewater plant or send flows to Hopewell, leaving a Nov. 14 decision under the Virginia Business Ready Site Program unresolved; staff will request an extension so the absent member can vote at the Nov. 25 meeting.
Prince George County supervisors failed to reach a decision Tuesday on whether to build a county-owned wastewater treatment plant in Sussex County or route additional wastewater to the City of Hopewell, leaving the disposition of a $10 million Virginia Business Ready Site Program (VBRSP) grant unsettled.
"We did receive a $10,000,000 VBRSP grant and the deadline of making a decision on where to send this is November 14," County Director of Utilities and Engineering Frank Holcomb told the board during the presentation. Finance advisers from Davenport outlined five financing scenarios showing a wide gap between the two options: an $80 million Sussex plant with about $1.2 million in annual operating costs versus a roughly $42.15 million capital solution that would send flow to Hopewell but carry far higher annual operating charges.
The Davenport presentation quantified capital and operating tradeoffs and modeled debt-structuring options including a 30-year mortgage, a six-year interest-only start and use of existing debt reserves. "If you keep appropriating that same level at least that level…those are dollars that could be used to help fund the next project," Davenport's Ted Cole said while explaining how existing debt service appropriations free up capacity for new borrowing.
Board members sharply disagreed about timing and affordability. One supervisor said, "Until we see a way to take care of what we've got in this county, I can't support this," citing immediate needs for schools and fire stations. Another argued the county had lost development opportunities by lacking wastewater capacity and urged action to capture long-term tax benefits. Mr. Webb, who moved that the board pursue the Sussex option, said the county has "kicked this can down the road way too long." Holcomb warned the models show the county would have to identify new revenue or shift existing capital funding to make either option work.
When the motion to direct staff to pursue the Sussex option was put to roll call it ended in a 2–2 tie with one member absent. Under the board’s bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order, the tied motion will be returned to the next meeting for a final vote. Because the VBRSP deadline was approaching, staff asked for and the board gave consensus for the county to request a short extension from the state so the matter can return with a full board present.
Next steps: staff will request a VBRSP extension and bring final agreements and financing options back to the board on Nov. 25. The board made no binding commitment to a partner or design approach at Tuesday’s meeting.
