Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Finance Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bedford council approves 2020 tax and utility write-offs, a small fire-department grant, FTA application authorization and $263,700 renovation contract
Summary
The council unanimously approved writing off $741.24 in 2020 personal property taxes and $34,817.86 in delinquent utility accounts, accepted a LyondellBasell grant and related $3,500 budget amendment for fire-department meters, authorized applying as a subrecipient for FTA 5311 transit funds (estimated operating cost $258,714), and awarded a $263,700 contract for municipal building renovations.
The Town of Bedford council unanimously approved a set of routine fiscal and procurement measures at its regular meeting on Jan. 20.
Town Manager Warner asked the council to write off $741.24 in remaining 2020 personal property taxes, noting that “according to the state code, collection of local personal property taxes is only enforceable for 5 years following December 31 of the year for which such taxes were assessed.” The council moved, seconded and approved the write-off by roll-call vote; the transcript records all members voting 'Aye.'
Warner also requested a write-off of uncollectible electric accounts over five years old totalling $34,817.86, which the council approved unanimously. Warner told the council staff had pursued collections, including state debt-setoff and DMV holds, and that collection after five years is rare but occasionally possible if the same federal ID is used.
The town received a community grant from LyondellBasell to purchase two combustible gas meters for the fire department. Warner asked for a budget amendment to appropriate $3,500 to the revenue recovery-cost line and the corresponding replacement expenditure; the council approved the amendment on a unanimous roll call.
Council authorized the Bedford Auto Bus to apply as a subrecipient for Federal Transit Administration 5311 funds. Warner described four demonstration grants awarded earlier by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and said the estimated total project operating cost is $258,714 (the amount would not be paid by the town). The council voted to authorize the application unanimously.
Finally, the council approved a contract award to Thompson and Litton for municipal building renovations at a contract price of $263,700 after staff described the RFP process and legal review. Council recorded all members voting 'Aye.'
Why it matters: The actions clear several delinquent accounts from the town’s active records, authorize continued transit funding efforts, allocate a small grant to replace safety equipment for the fire department and commit the town to a renovation contract to address municipal building deficiencies.
What’s next: Staff will implement the budget amendment, proceed with procurement and grant-application steps, and follow up on any contract administration matters. The write-offs will be recorded per statutory limits and existing collection policies.
Reporting is based on Town Manager Warner’s presentations and the council’s roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript.
