Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Riverhead land purchase and several appropriations; playground and fire department funding discussed
Summary
Supervisors approved a staff‑recommended purchase of about 28 acres adjacent to Riverhead School for $550,000 and authorized up to $21,000 from a district infrastructure account for closing costs; the meeting also recorded multiple infrastructure funding requests for playgrounds and fire departments and included unanimous appointments to boards and commissions.
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to proceed with the county attorney‑reviewed purchase of two parcels adjacent to Riverhead School, totaling roughly 28 acres, for $550,000 and to authorize up to $21,000 from Riverhead infrastructure funds for costs such as appraisal, survey and closing expenses.
"The chair may want to entertain a motion for the county to proceed after review and amendment by the county attorney to sign a contract for the purchase of 2 parcels of land adjacent to Riverhead School, consisting of approximately 28 acres ... for the amount of $550,000," staff said, and a motion to approve the purchase passed 7–0.
Board members also addressed several infrastructure assistance requests from schools and volunteer fire departments. Staff outlined a $150,000 playground estimate for Riverheads Elementary, noting the PTA had raised about $80,000 and the school requested $70,000 in county support to reach the target; supervisors pledged district infrastructure contributions and asked staff to coordinate specifics.
Supervisors proposed and seconded motions to allocate targeted amounts to local fire departments: a motion to designate up to $70,000 toward Swope Fire Department parking/driveway repairs (with split funding between districts discussed) and a recommendation to assist Churchill Fire Department with half of an ambulance purchase and building improvements. Several supervisors said they would dedicate portions of their infrastructure accounts to these projects.
The board also made multiple appointments to county boards and commissions during the session; votes on the land purchase recorded as 7–0 in favor.
After the meeting, staff said they would return with itemized cost estimates and confirm how the county would allocate the playground and infrastructure funds across district accounts.
