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Planning commission recommends Rockingham County's FY2027'FY2031 capital improvements plan, flags courthouse and school costs
Summary
The Rockingham County Planning Commission voted 5'0Aye to recommend approval of the county's FY2027'FY2031 Capital Improvements Program, while discussing funding for the Massanutten Technical Center, courthouse options and school renovation costs.
The Rockingham County Planning Commission voted 5'0Aye, 0 No on March 3 to recommend the county's FY2027'FY2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to the Board of Supervisors.
Deputy County Administrator Trish Davidson told commissioners the Massanutten Technical Center building "was not part of the CIP as it had been budgeted for in FY26, however, the exact dollar amount was not yet set." Commissioner David Curfman urged staff to ensure lessons from five existing pump stations that require upgrades "are fully incorporated into the design and planning of new pump stations to avoid repeating past inefficiencies." Davidson responded that future pump stations will be built to current design standards.
Commissioners also pressed staff about courthouse options. Curfman asked whether a cost analysis comparing renovation of the existing courthouse versus construction of a new building had been completed. Davidson said the county has a "strong desire to stay in the existing building," but that a choice will need to be made in coming years.
Justin Moyers, chief financial officer for Rockingham County Public Schools, described the Spotswood High School project as a renovation and addition. He said the $40 million figure in the CIP is intended for renovations/additions to the current school; "a new school with a full campus including athletic fields was around $140 million dollars in a neighboring locality," he said, noting a full new campus cost substantially more than the renovation budgeted.
Commissioner Kevin Flint asked that the Singers Glen Community Center project be moved beyond FY2031, following a CIP committee recommendation; Davidson said she understands the recommendation but retains discretion to adjust the schedule per the Board of Supervisors' directions. On the motion to recommend the CIP, Commissioner Michael Harvey moved, Commissioner Keith Sheets seconded, and the motion carried 5'0to 0.
The commission's recommendation now goes to the Board of Supervisors, and staff cautioned that line items and schedules could change during the Board's review.
