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Wythe County board raises water rates, increases connection fee and approves multiple grants and budget amendments
Summary
After public notice and brief discussion, the board approved a roughly 5% water-rate increase and raised the water-connection fee from $1,500 to $2,300; the board also approved FY2027 carryovers, a $447,000 transfer for sheriff vehicles, a $4,500 arts grant, and an $82,577.70 RSAF award with 30% match.
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved several fiscal measures following public hearings and committee recommendations, including a water-rate increase, a higher water-connection fee and multiple grants and budget amendments.
County staff read a proposed water-rate schedule, describing a roughly 5% increase to base and volume rates and a proposed connection fee increase from $1,500 to $2,300. The board confirmed the changes would not apply to Progress Park (served by Whitfield) and, after a motion and second, approved the rate schedule by roll call.
At the same meeting the board authorized a fiscal-year 2027 budget amendment to carry forward unspent FY2026 funds for projects across general, water and wastewater funds. Staff highlighted key carryovers including an unfinished reassessment, $100,000 budgeted voting equipment, police-grant-funded equipment, $2.2 million for a revenue-sharing Connector Road, and a roughly $13 million Olive Branch Dunford Road water project pending Rural Development approval. The board approved the amendment.
The board also approved several grant actions and transfers: acceptance of a Department of Criminal Justice Services victim-witness grant for FY27 (authorized staff to sign), acceptance of a FY27 Creative Communities Partnership award for $4,500 to support the Chautauqua Festival, acceptance of an $82,577.70 Rescue Squad Assistance Fund award for monitors (project cost about $118,000; county to provide a 30% match and spend funds by Sept. 1), and a request to move $447,000 from the general fund to the sheriff epartment vehicle fund using photo-enforcement revenue for vehicle purchases. The motion and roll-call votes for these items were recorded as approved.
Board members also accepted several water-and-wastewater committee recommendations (approved change order adding a 2-inch PRV and 90 days to the Whipple Wheel contract, approval of a Thrashel Group WWTP capacity study for Fort Chiswell, and connection-fee schedule revisions contingent on the board's approval of the increased connection fee).
An anonymous online public comment was noted for the water-rate hearing; no in-person public speakers signed up. Chair Smith said staff will follow statutory notice and filing requirements and continue outreach as appropriate.
Next steps: staff will implement the approved rate-change documentation, post updated schedules, and proceed with required appropriations and match funding for the awarded grants.
