County Administrator's BLOG

RCC Now Enrolling for Summer & Fall Semesters

Community colleges are sometimes forgotten, but always dependable.  

Information was released by Rappahannock Community College last week that affords King William County students and adults opportunities to advance their education.

RCC is now enrolling for the summer and fall 2023 semesters. With campuses and sites in Glenns, Warsaw, Kilmarnock, King George, New Kent, and Montross offering in-person and online options.

RCC offers a rolling admissions process allowing students to begin and continue their educational journey when the timing is right for them. From workforce credentialing to college credits toward an associate degree or transfer degree; skills training to high school dual enrollment; RCC is a stepping stone to a brighter future.

New programs this year include a 10-week Patient Care Technician course, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a specialization in Echocardiography, more diesel and HVAC classes at the Glenns campus, and expanded welding labs at New Kent.

Summer is a great time for students enrolled in Virginia colleges and universities to take classes at RCC for transfer credit. Taking credit courses during the summer sessions saves time and money.

In addition to the traditional sources of financial aid and tuition assistance available, students can take advantage of state funding sources like G3 and FastForward. Virginia’s G3—Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead—provides tuition help for those studying certain programs in IT, public safety, healthcare, skilled trades, and early childhood education. FastForward helps students pursuing short-term workforce training for the most in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth. 

RCC’s College Navigators are available to help anyone take the next step, whether they are working toward a degree, earning workforce credentials, making a career change, or exploring options. 

Visit www.rappahannock.edu, call 804-333-6730, or email advisor@rappahannock.edu for assistance. 

Litter Pickup Continues This Week

Private crews will continue picking up trash this week around King William County after sweeping most of Route 30 last week. Crews were busy this morning along Acquinton Church Road.

The Board of Supervisors approved the contracting of a private company to hire workers to pick up trash, which had reached an unsightly level coming out of the winter months.

The effort will complement the responsibility of VDOT to pick up the trash along roads and highways.

Citizens are urged to contact County Administration if they know of a particular road or section that needs attention. An email request can be made to Percy.Ashcraft@KWC.gov.

Citizens can also borrow trash collection equipment and organize their own Beautification Day. Contact Cindy Hixenbaugh (cindy.hixenbaugh@kwc.gov) for pickers, orange vests and trash bags, and road signs.

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program Accepting Applications

The Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP) is open to homeowners located in Virginia who have experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship, and as a result are now delinquent on their mortgage or other housing-related expenses.

VMRP funds that are eligible expenses are:

1. First and subordinate mortgages for primary residence in Virginia.
2. Homeowners insurance, flood insurance and mortgage insurance.
3. Homeowners/Condominium Association fees.
4. Property taxes.

Eligible VMRP households must owe less than $50,000 in delinquent payments.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) enacted by Congress in 2021, the Commonwealth of Virginia received $258 million in Homeowner Assistance Funds (HAF) through the U.S. Department of the Treasury to launch VMRP.

This is a great program that is assisting numerous Virginians. Contact VirginiaMortgageRelief.com for further information.

Online Bourbon Lottery to Honor Secretariat

At the risk of promoting alcohol sales, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is holding an online lottery to honor Secretariat on the 50^th anniversary of the thoroughbred’s 1973 Triple Crown sweep.

For younger readers, Secretariat was born at neighboring Meadow Farm in Caroline County, now the home of the Virginia State Fair. He is the most renowned racehorse of all-time in sweeping to the Triple Crown with Jockey Ron Turcotte his rider.

According to an article by Katherine Schulte for Virginia Business magazine, the VABCA later this month will have 187 autographed bottles of Secretariat Reserve Straight Bourbon as part of an online lottery. The bourbon comes form Charlottesville-based Ragged Branch Distillery and includes grain grown at the Meadow. The 750-milliliter bottles are priced at $99.99 each.

Secretariat Reserve is distilled from a mix of corn, rye, and malted barley. It’s aged for more than five years and bottled-in-bond, meaning it meets stringent regulations, including being bottled at 100 proof and made by one distiller at one distillery during one season.

Online entry forms will be available March 29 through March 31, and Virginia residents ages 21 and up are eligible. Winners will be selected in a random drawing.

More details are available on the Virginia ABC site.

On April 22, Virginia ABC will release unsigned bottles. Each retail location will receive one case (six bottles), and customers will be limited to one bottle each. The Ragged Branch Distillery store in Charlottesville will also have limited quantities.

Budget Process Always Leads to Differing Thoughts & Opinions

The process in reaching a consensus on a budget always lends itself to differing thoughts and opinions by those who could be the recipients of the funds.

The FY ’24 Budget proposal presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 13 is no different as early discussions unfold.

Developing, presenting, and ultimately managing the annual Budget are major responsibilities of the County Administrator. A good budget will show a spending plan that has considered a number of key components with an eye on progress that includes additional opportunities and services for the taxpayers who fund it.

This year’s Budget was crafted with the following in mind:

1. Outcome of an assessment of real property that had not been completed in eight years.
2. Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan that was completed in 2022.
3. Emphasis on core quality of life issues such as education and public safety.
4. Capital planning to address lack of recreation areas for children and adults, particularly those who participate in youth soccer and football and use the public library facilities.
5. Making annual debt payments on borrowing of funds that were needed for education, general government, and public utilities.
6. Funding internal government operations that lead to more efficient customer service, and also includes cost of living allowances and merit-based pay.

Through a legislative compromise back in 2014, King William County Government uses a Split-Levy model to fund its General Government and the King William County School Division. 

The Budget presented to the Board of Supervisors is just under $70 million. The heart of the Budget is the General Fund, which is $32,607,382.

The largest expenditure is the funding of the King William School Division, which will receive 35 percent of the General Fund in the FY ’24 Budget, $538,000 more than in the FY ’23 Budget.

In recent years, the Board of Supervisors has provided General Fund transfers in the amounts of $9.2 million in FY ’19 to $11.1 million proposed in FY ’24. Only once in FY ’21 was the amount less than the previous year.

Approval of projects by the Board of Supervisors over the years has left the School Division with the highest level of debt within all of County Government, $24 million. The Board of Supervisors also makes this annual payment, which for FY ’24 is $1.7 million.

Fortunately, through the Split-Levy funding, the School Division has been able to accumulate a healthy reserve of $3.9 million, which can be used for shortfalls or special projects as approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The FY ’24 Budget makes further investments in both the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Fire & EMS. These investments include both operations and capital. Additionally, funding is provided for Volunteer Fire & EMS agencies and maintenance of a new County radio system.

A capital plan of $12 million is proposed for the possible construction of a new library and expanded recreation facilities.

Funding is also included in the FY ’24 Budget to continue the County’s partnerships with VPPSA for trash disposal; Social Services; the Health Department; regional correction centers for adults and youth; juvenile services; and the regional animal shelter.

Strengthening government operations always leads to investment in employees. The FY ’24 Budget calls for a five percent salary increase for employees through a combination of Cost of Living and Merit. These funds are 100 percent paid by County taxpayers. Other raises for education and Constitutional Officers are paid in large part by the State and the Compensation Board.

The reassessment of real property brought an average increase of 44 percent in values. The Board of Supervisors kept a promise to taxpayers to reduce the tax rate to within one percent of total values. This brings the proposed rate to 0.58 from 0.835, which is near the bottom of comparable localities in the region.

The overall Budget stretches widely to assist all areas of government. As stated earlier, the amount of funding always tests the satisfaction of those who are included in the fund distribution. Priorities have to be set for citizens of all ages and in all communities of the County.

The public hearing on the overall Budget is set for 7 p.m. on Monday, March 27. The public hearing on all tax rates including the real estate rate is 7 p.m. on Monday, April 24. Citizens can speak during the public hearing in-person or via Zoom or can submit a written comment online. Visit the County website for more information. You can also download the proposed budget and the presentation made at the March 13 meeting from the News Flash section of the County website.

The Board of Supervisors will continue discussions on the Budget and will possibly adopt it at its May 8 meeting.

Historic Garden Week Rapidly Approaching

According to the good reporting of Danny Clark in The Country Courier, Historic Garden Week is rapidly approaching. The Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula (GCMP) will host the Club’s tour in King William County on Friday, April 21 with four private homes and two historic churches opening their doors for a Day of Celebrations, History, Conservation, and Faith.

Locations include:

1. Cherry Grove - 4381 Manfield Road.
2. Chestnut Grove Farm - 2308 Manfield Road.
3. Hollyfield Manor - 289 Hollyfield Lane.
4. Strykefyre - 648 Pampatike Road
5. McKendree United Methodist Church - 4347 Manfield Road
6. Rock Spring Baptist Church - 4134 Manfield Road

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vagardenweek.org. 

Unemployment Rate Stable at 2.4 Percent

One thing is for sure, King William County residents like to work.

The unemployment rate for January continued at 2.4 percent, showing that all but about 200 eligible workers have jobs in King William County. This is a productive statistic to show the vitality of the County and its stability in other areas such as median household income.

Recent statistics do show that anywhere between 70 and 80 percent of the workforce travels to other destinations for their employment. Outside of West Rock, Nestle Purina, and local government (General & Schools), there are not as many opportunities as many would hope. But an uptick in restaurant and retail jobs in the County have been able to keep more people within the borders than before.

EDA Sets Priorities for Economic Growth & Development

The King William County Economic Development Authority met March 8 and established priorities moving forward.

The eight-member panel is charged with fostering economic growth and development in the County. Recently the Board of Supervisors approved the hiring of an Economic Development Director who would work closely with the EDA to carry out its mission.

The following priorities were the outcome of the March 8 meeting:

1. Retain businesses.
2. Find and purchase land the EDA would own and develop for commercial or industrial resale.
3. Develop a website and/or possible GIS layer with available commercial properties for sale in the county.
4. Advance utility expansion in the County.
5. Recruit new businesses.

As other EDAs do throughout the Commonwealth, the members also want to learn more about the issuance of bonds and providing incentives for prospective companies.

The next meeting of the EDA is April 12 at 7p.m. in the Board Room of the County Administration Building.

Proposed Real Estate Tax Rate Will Drop King William Near the Bottom of Neighboring Localities

The FY ’24 Budget proposal was presented to the Board of Supervisors at its March 13 Work Session.

Following the reassessment of real estate over the last year, total values of property have been equalized to one percent as pledged by the Board of Supervisors last year. That drops the real estate tax rate from .835/$100 to .580/$100.

That rate, if finalized by the Board of Supervisors, will leave King William near the bottom of the region for real estate tax rates. Other local rates include:

Hanover County – 0.81

Caroline County – 0.77

Charles City County – 0.76

Essex County – 0.73

Gloucester County – 0.72.5

New Kent County – 0.67

Middlesex County – 0.62

King William County – 0.58

King & Queen County – 0.56

A public hearing on all tax rates will be held at 7p.m. Monday, April 24 in the Board Room.

King William County to Host Household Chemical Collections & Computer Recycling Event April 15

King William County will be one of two sites to host Household Chemical Collections & Computer Recycling for the Middle Peninsula.

Every year, the Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority (VPPSA) provides in the spring and fall an opportunity for residents to safely dispose of items such as computers, household maintenance items, automotive products, lawn and garden products, household cleaning products, and other miscellaneous items such as charcoal fluids, dyes, kerosene, pool chemicals, etc.

This year’s first event will be held on April 15 at King William High School from 8 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Only residents from King William, Mathews, Middlesex, Essex, and King & Queen will be allowed to take advantage of this service. Proof of residency may be required.

There is no charge to the residents.

The second event will be in Mathews County this fall on August 19.

Should residents have questions, please contact VPPSA at (757) 259-9850 or click on www.vppsa.org. An informational brochure is available for download from the County website.

Information Chain Has Multiple Sources in King William Government

In this busy world where people get their information from a number of different sources, King William County Government offers several opportunities for people to keep up with local activities.

A number of measures to increase transparency and communicate with residents include: (1) Monthly Message; (2) Facebook; (3) Regular E-Newsletters; (4) Daily Headlines; (5) Twitter; and (6) Increased use of the website news flashes.

If online doesn’t work for you, sometimes the easiest way is to call me directly at (757) 608-9704 or email me at Percy.Ashcraft@kwc.gov.

Transparency and citizen service are always the first priorities.