Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
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Monday, November 23, 2009
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer
Economic development incentives, road projects and education are among items included in a 2010 Legislative Package being considered the Henry County Board of Supervisors.
Local officials compile the package annually to highlight legislative positions/concerns for lawmakers before the start of the General Assembly session in January.
At their 3 p.m. meeting Tuesday at the Henry County Administration Building, the supervisors will consider the first draft that was compiled with input from county staff and constitutional officers.
If approved, the package will be sent to local members of the General Assembly before the annual deadline for filing bills.
While county officials understand the issues, including a projected revenue shortfall, related to the state budget this year, “we feel it is our responsibility to bring forward the items that concern us and make sure the General Assembly is aware of them, regardless of the fiscal climate,” board documents stated.
Among the items in the draft package are:
• Increased state funds for operating funds, technology funding and financial assistance in the construction of new school buildings and the improvements and an expansion of existing buildings.
• Completion of the “Super 58” project — four-laning U.S. 58 from Virginia Beach to the Cumberland Gap — and completion of the section between Stuart and Hillsville is “of critical importance.”
• Expedite the financing/construction of Interstate 73 between Roanoke and the North Carolina line, with construction beginning in Henry County and proceeding south.
• Continued support of the New College Institute and its ultimate conversion into a stand-alone four-year university, as well as restoring funds to NCI and Patrick Henry Community College.
• Increased appropriations to the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, which is used to offer incentives to businesses locating in the area. Also, the county encourages state officials to develop new economic development incentives that allow the state and localities to be more competitive with neighboring states.
• Urging the state to put special emphasis on incentives for communities heavily impacted by federal trade policies or areas above the average state unemployment rate.
• Full funding for constitutional officers’ offices.
• Continued funding of the Virginia Museum of Natural History and its educational outreach programs.
• “Tax Equity,” through revisions to the tax code that give localities additional ways to generate revenue and authority to diversify local tax revenues. The county also opposes the reduction, elimination or restriction of local funding sources.
• A bipartisan effort to address issues that arise when an elected official faces criminal prosecution, including a process for appointing a temporary replacement to carry out the duties/responsibilities of the office until the legal process is complete.
• Changes to the code section pertaining to health insurance credit for retirees of local government, constitutional officers, school division employees and state employees. All classes of retirees should receive the same health insurance credit, the draft states.
• Legislation that would allow any county wanting a referendum on mixed beverages to be allowed to place the item on the ballot after a majority vote by the county government.
• Funding for market-based rent for the Henry-Martinsville Social Services department and the Henry-Martinsville Health Department.
• State acquisition of land to complement the 350 acres recently purchased for the Mayo River State Park and funds to pay to develop a master plan.
• Developing a multiuse trail traversing Southern Virginia from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Chesapeake Bay. The trail will stimulate economic growth and promote regional tourism.
• Legislation to improve the recruitment/retention of volunteer fire and EMS workers without creating an additional burden on localities, and matching funds for the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers’ Service Award Fund (VOLSAP).
• Fund the Enterprise Zone program at whatever level the commonwealth deems appropriate and discontinue prorating benefits to qualifying businesses.
• Greater flexibility from the state to apply state budget cuts if ordered.
• The state to pay its share of the Philpott 216 Study.
In other matters, the board will:
• Consider a resolution supporting the Virginia Tech Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts on the Blacksburg campus.
Kay Dunkley, Reynolds Homestead director, and Jo Evans, who is with the Virginia Tech Arts Initiative, will discuss the project.
• Consider a resolution to encourage county residents to be counted in the 2010 Census and give Benny Summerlin, county administrator, the authority to establish a joint committee with Martinsville to help highlight the benefits of having all local residents counted during the census.
• Consider a resolution that will be distributed before the board meeting to authorize financing of Recovery Zone Bonds to pay for school renovation projects. Last month, supervisors authorized $2 million in Recovery Zone Bonds be issued to pay for renovations to Laurel Park Middle School and Magna Vista High School.
Hunton & Williams, bond counsel for the project, is preparing the resolution for the transaction that will be between the Industrial Development Authority, the school board and supervisors.
• Consider a change to contract that was established to govern Henry-Martinsville Social Services renovations. The board awarded several contracts for renovations of the new social services facility on Aug. 31. One contract with Bassett Office Supply needs to be increased by $22,190, from $121,014.12 to $143,204.21, to buy 100 five-drawer filing cabinets for $221.90 each.
• Consider an additional $527,839.63 appropriation of Title I Funds for the school board. The state Department of Education recently notified the school divisions that the 2009-2010 Title I grant award was increased from $2,169,106.57 to $2,696,946.20. The additional funds will be used for salaries and benefits for reading specialists, materials and supplies for all elementary schools, and professional development.
• Consider meeting in closed session to discuss appointees to the Public Service Authority, Patriot Centre Advisory Board and West Piedmont Planning District Commission; to consult with the county attorney on pending legal matters; the acquisition/disposal of real estate; and discuss unannounced industries. |
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