Fluvanna County voters may be asked in November whether to approve a local sales tax of up to 1% to help pay for school construction and major renovations.
The Board of Supervisors voted to begin the process of placing the question on the ballot at their July 1 meeting.
County Attorney Dan Whitten said the General Assembly has expanded localities’ authority to impose an additional sales and use tax of up to 1% for school construction and major renovations, provided voters approve it by referendum.
If approved, the tax would be used solely for school capital projects, including construction, major renovations, and debt service. It would expire no later than June 30, 2046.
The additional tax would not apply to groceries for human consumption or essential personal hygiene products. County staff estimated the tax could generate roughly $1.5 million to $2 million annually, though officials said they would work to get a more precise estimate.
The referendum must be ordered by the Circuit Court at least 81 days before the election. Whitten said the deadline is Aug. 14, creating a tight window for the county to move forward.
School construction costs have risen sharply in recent years.
Across Virginia, the cost of building a new elementary or middle school has commonly ranged from about $25 million to $60 million, depending on size, site conditions, materials, and design. A 2021 state review also found that more than half of Virginia school buildings were more than 50 years old.
In Region 5, which includes Fluvanna County, the median age of school buildings was 55 years. During the board discussion, supervisors noted that Central Elementary School dates to 1958 and the former high school building opened in 1976.
“We’re going to have to address these issues,” Supervisor Mike Sheridan said.
Complicating the issue for the supervisors was a 2025 decision to allocate 2% of the new county meals tax to school construction. Some supervisors questioned whether the county should continue dedicating that meals tax revenue to schools if voters approve the sales tax referendum.
Sheridan said they might want to consider reallocating that 2% towards replacing emergency vehicles, another high-ticket source of stress on the county budget.
Fork Union Supervisor Mike Goad said he was uncomfortable blocking voters from deciding the question, even though he had concerns about adding another tax.
“If this were our decision, I would be voting no,” Goad said. “But since we’re putting it to the people.”
Bulk water hearing delayed
Supervisors also delayed action on a proposed bulk water ordinance after residents and board members raised concerns about drought conditions, high-volume users and the need for clearer limits on water withdrawals.
The proposed ordinance would establish a hydrant-meter permit process for contractors and other users purchasing bulk water from the county. Water would be drawn from a designated location under the Route 250 water tower at Zion Crossroads.
The proposed fees include a $1,500 meter deposit, a $35 monthly rental fee, and a bulk water rate of $12 per 1,000 gallons.
The draft ordinance would require users to submit monthly meter readings to the utilities department. The county would inspect meters annually. If a permit holder withdrew water without using the meter, the agreement could be terminated, and the matter could be referred for possible criminal charges.
County departments and volunteer fire companies would be exempt from the permit requirement, though they would notify utilities when using water.
Public Works Director Bobby Popowicz said most expected users would be small contractors, landscapers, or similar customers. He estimated the program might generate $6,000 to $7,000 annually, or possibly $10,000 to $11,000 in a heavy construction year.
Popowicz said automated meter-reading systems would cost far more than the county would likely recover in revenue. Supervisors discussed lower-cost monitoring options, including game cameras.
Residents urged the board to strengthen the ordinance before adoption.
Ray Bassi of Lake Monticello said the revised draft was better than the first version, but still lacked mandatory caps, a high-volume permit class, project aggregation rules, county-controlled monitoring and drought triggers.
“In a drought warning environment, a bulk water ordinance without mandatory high-volume caps is not real water management,” Bassi said.
Other speakers said the ordinance should prioritize residents, farms, schools, and essential public services during drought conditions.
Supervisors ultimately agreed to bring the ordinance back on Aug. 5 with additional work on caps and high-volume water use.
Noise ordinance advances
The board also voted to advertise an Aug. 19 public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance – but not before a lively discussion over lawn-mowing.
The proposed ordinance update would modernize the language on sound measurement, add maximum sound levels for business and industrial districts, clarify daytime and nighttime standards, and give the county the option to seek an injunction in Circuit Court for repeated or unresolved violations.
Whitten said the draft also removes animal noise regulations and allows trash collection to begin at 6 a.m.
Cuningham Supervisor Chris Fairchild objected to language restricting mowing before 7 a.m., especially during summer heat.
“The very thought that I can’t, when the sun shows up on my property, go out and mow my lawn. What are we doing?” Fairchild said.
Major David Wells said the Sheriff’s Office was mainly looking for enforceable tools for nuisance complaints, particularly loud music, late-night parties and firearms. “I can’t think of a single lawnmower-related complaint,” he said.
The board agreed that staff should revise the draft before the public hearing.
Public comment rules revised
Supervisors also amended their bylaws so speakers at public comment no longer have to state a full address.
Instead, speakers will be asked to give their name and voting district or general community of residence, such as Palmyra, Troy, or Lake Monticello.
The board also clarified rules for supervisors attending community meetings. No more than two supervisors may attend at the same time, but supervisors may stagger attendance during longer open-house-style events.
Parrish honored for 50 years
The meeting opened with a resolution honoring Sandra Ann Parrish, chief deputy clerk of the Fluvanna County Circuit Court, for 50 years of service to the county.
Parrish began working in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office on July 12, 1976, and has served under multiple clerks during a career spanning five decades.
The board praised her professionalism, institutional knowledge, and commitment to preserving county records and supporting the court’s work.
The resolution recognized Parrish’s “remarkable work ethic, loyalty and devotion to the citizens of Fluvanna County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
