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Spotsylvania supervisors approve consent items, table tower permit and tax-relief proposal
Summary
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved the consent agenda and a Cox cable franchise, directed staff on a Route 2 safety signal, tabled a proposed change to the county—s elderly tax-relief program for further study and deferred a Verizon tower special-use permit to Oct. 22.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24 approved routine consent items and moved several larger matters for further review as it addressed public safety, communications infrastructure and tax-relief proposals.
Board members first accepted changes to the published agenda and approved the consent agenda, which included a proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Virginia Wine Month and several budget adjustments and contracts, including a $980,859 Merchant Square roof and HVAC contract.
During board reports, Supervisor Hayes moved — and the board approved 5-0 — a directive for county staff to send a letter supporting installation of a span-wire signal at the intersection of Route 2 and Glenda—s Way, following a recent pedestrian fatality. Hayes said the action was intended to prompt VDOT to prioritize the safety work.
The board also conducted required public hearings. Staff recommended and the board approved a cable franchise agreement with Cox Communications for portions of the county where Cox operates; staff noted the franchise covers cable-TV service and does not govern broadband service, which the county cannot regulate.
Two items were set aside for further consideration. After a presentation on proposed revisions to the county—s real-estate tax-relief program for seniors and the disabled, which would raise income, net-worth and exemption thresholds effective Jan. 1, 2026, the board voted to table the measure to gather more fiscal detail. Presenters said the county currently writes off about $1.4 million annually under the existing program; staff said the fiscal impact of the proposed changes is unknown.
In a separate public hearing, the board accepted testimony on a special-use permit for a 250-foot Verizon wireless tower at the Lakeside Farm/Sunning Island site. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to seven conditions, and residents raised concerns about visual impact; the board voted to table the permit until its Oct. 22 meeting.
The meeting also included several administrative votes: midyear additions of several full-time positions funded from savings, and a closed session to discuss negotiations over county property followed by approval of a narrowly limited waiver allowing attorney Raymond H. Suttle Jr. to represent sellers in a specific purchase negotiation. The board adjourned after completing scheduled business.
Votes at a glance: agenda approval (5 yes); consent agenda and related contract approvals (votes recorded in meeting); Waverly Village Drainage Project task order (approved, 5 yes); midyear positions (approved, 5 yes); Cox cable franchise (approved, 5 yes); span-wire signal letter directive (approved, 5 yes); tax-relief proposal (tabled pending further information); SUP24-0005 (Sunning Island tower) (tabled to Oct. 22).
The board will reconvene in its next regularly scheduled meeting, where the tabled items may return for final action.
