Phase 2 of Amelia Courthouse sidewalk shows roughly $294,000 deficit; public hearing set Oct. next week

County staff told the Board of Supervisors that Phase 2 of the Amelia Courthouse sidewalk project currently shows an approximate deficit of $294,000 and asked the board how to proceed.

Staff said the project remains programmed and that a public hearing is scheduled next Tuesday at Amelia Elementary School from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. to gather public feedback while the county decides whether to allocate funds to close the deficit or cancel the project. "We still have a qualifying plan for the project for next Tuesday at the Amelia Elementary School from 05:30 to 7," staff said.

Board members pressed staff about who would be responsible for acquiring right‑of‑way and whether adjacent property owners were willing to sell. Staff said individual property owners were notified and right‑of‑way representatives would attend the hearing to speak directly to impacted landowners. Several supervisors expressed concern about the roughly 20% increase in project costs compared with earlier estimates and urged staff to "sharpen the pencil" on cost breakdowns before any final funding decision.

Board discussion included options to use uncommitted CIP funds from prior projects to cover the deficit. Several members indicated canceling now could waste prior investments in design and construction time; others said they wanted certainty about property acquisitions before committing additional funds. Staff agreed to highlight right‑of‑way issues at the public hearing and return with more detailed cost analysis and acquisition status.