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Southampton County supervisors approve appropriation, write-offs, land-use tax renewal, bridge naming and Beale Farm letter of intent
Summary
At its Jan. 28 meeting the board approved a $623,736.59 appropriation, wrote off roughly $31,816.18 in uncollectible water and sewer accounts, re-adopted the land-use taxation program, forwarded a bridge-naming request to VDOT, and authorized in principle a letter of intent to sell Beale Farm to an industrial development LLC.
The Southampton County Board of Supervisors approved a series of administrative and financial items at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Appropriation and bills: The board adopted an appropriation resolution totaling $623,736.59 to the general and building funds. Finance staff explained two draws of insurance funds were used to pay for replacement work at the fairgrounds following a wind event.
Bad-debt write-offs: The board approved writing off uncollectible water and sewer accounts totaling approximately $31,816.18 after staff described efforts to collect older debts and the reasons some accounts remain uncollectible (deceased account holders, bankruptcy, missing Social Security number, moved out of state, etc.). Finance staff said the county can collect the amounts if an account-holder later reopens service.
Land use taxation: The board re-adopted the long-standing land use taxation program, which staff and members described as a longstanding tool to keep farming viable; the program provides property tax relief tied to agricultural use.
Bridge naming: The board voted to forward a resident's request to name a bridge over Assameseek Swamp the 'Jordan Walter Whitehead Jr. Memorial Bridge' to VDOT for further action and instructed staff and the county attorney to follow up.
Beale Farm letter of intent: After a closed session, the board approved in principle a letter of intent and purchase-and-sale agreement for sale of the Beale Farm to Beale Farm Industrial Development LLC and authorized the Industrial Development Authority to execute the documents; the county administrator was authorized to negotiate an interim farm lease before closing.
Procedural and governance matters: The board re-adopted a remote participation policy (required annually) and accepted the proposed FY budget calendar tied to department and school timelines.
All of the formal votes noted above passed on voice votes during the meeting. Staff were directed to follow up with VDOT, the county attorney, and relevant departments as appropriate.
