Board Deadlocks 2–2 on Sussex Wastewater Option; Item Deferred to Next Meeting

The Prince George County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 25 failed to adopt a motion to proceed with Sussex as the county’s wastewater treatment option after the roll call resulted in a 2–2 tie.

County staff summarized the status of grant discussions and timelines related to a potential VBRSP (state) grant and options that had included expanding the Sussex Service Authority’s plant or building a Prince George facility that could serve Sussex as a customer. Staff said an initial memorandum agreement is separate from the 36‑month period envisioned to negotiate operational details and funding arrangements.

Supervisor Webb moved to select Sussex as the wastewater treatment option and Supervisor Brown seconded. The roll call vote was: Brown—Yes; Webb—Yes; Pew—No; Cox—No. Vice Chair Waymack was absent, making the vote a two‑two tie. The chair stated that under the bylaws the tie means the motion did not carry and the item will be revisited at the board’s next regular meeting. Staff and a state representative confirmed the Nov. 25 deadline was a final extension for the FY24 program but noted future opportunities exist for other grant cycles, though funding pools are smaller in later years.

Board members discussed the site offer (staff said Sussex would provide a suitable site but final acreage had not been confirmed), operational questions about who would own or operate a plant, and whether the county could meet industrial‑park capacity needs. The tie leaves the county without an adopted option and returns the matter to the December meeting for another vote.