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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of W. Preston
Vol. XXV No. 4
Finance director search underway
January 26, 2011
YOUR MONEY
Decision to advertise position came during meeting last week By Michael Copley Staff Writer’
Ahead of the departure of county Finance Director Stephanie Davis, the Powhatan Board of Supervisors directed Carolyn Bishop, county administrator, to proceed with steps to fill the soon-to-bevacant position. The decision, which was unanimous, came during a special meeting Davis last week. Initially there was some disagreement among supervisors about the best short-term steps. Supervisors Carson Tucker worried about filling the position before of a larger effort to restructure county government is complete. Supervisors Robert Cosby and Jason Moore pushed the board to fill Davis’ position as soon as possible. “We have a person that’s leaving and we need to see what’s out there,” said Cosby. “We need a finance director.” Davis, director of finance, human resources and information technology services, will step down Feb. 7 for a job in the private sector. During the eight years she worked in the position, Davis’ workload grew as sometimesdisparate responsibilities were lumped together. The fact isn’t unusual in growing localities, according to Powhatan’s temporary attorney. But to attract suitable candidates, Bishop pared down the responsibilities that had fallen under the position. Geographic Information Services (GIS) – a digital mapping and address program – will be shifted to the planning department. The county’s comprehensive services, an agency that helps troubled youth and their families, will report to social services. Moore said he is still uncomfortable with the finance director continuing to oversee aspects of the information technology (IT) department. “We just don’t have anywhere else to put it right now,” said Bishop. Bishop said IT supervision is generally the responsibility of a deputy assistant county administrator, but that position doesn’t exist yet in Powhatan. Cosby warned his colleagues to “be prepared to pay [a new finance director] a comparable salary” to other localities.
Let the budgeting begin After two days of meetings with department heads, the county’s number crunching has begun in earnest By Michael Copley Staff Writer
P
owhatan’s annual budget retreat concluded last week after two days of meetings between the Board of Supervisors and the directors of county agencies. Department heads came with wish lists in hand, but said they understand revenues are tight. “There are some things we need and a lot of things we’d like, but we understand the position everyone is in,” Sheriff Gregory Neal said at the start of the retreat at the library, which formally kicked off the budget season and offered supervisors the chance “to keep up with what’s going on with county departments,” according to County Administrator Carolyn Bishop.
The Sheriff’s Office requested funding for an administrative assistant for the county’s investigators, another emergency dispatcher – a request echoed by Floyd Greene, director of emergency management – and money to retain a narcotics investigator, which has been paid for with a grant. Neal also asked the Board of Supervisors to consider increasing the county’s hazardous-duty contribution to the Virginia Retirement System. “We’re busy,” said Neal. “When the economy goes down, our business is one of the few that goes up.” There were approximately 21,000 emergency calls for service in 2010, up from about 17,000 in 2009, said Neal. “One way or another, we’re going to provide law enforcement for Powhatan,” he said, but added, “I don’t think we’re the one’s at this point in time who should take cuts.” Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Beasley asked the board for $7,000 this year to pay the salary of a special prosecutor who handles cases in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. A grant, which has
been paying for the position, expires in March. Beasley said he anticipates needing about $28,000 next year for the position. Beasley said his office indicted 103 people on 231 offenses in 2010, compared with 2009 when 73 people were indicted on 226 offenses. Fire and EMS Chief Rick Bucher encouraged the board see Budget page 3A
“When the economy goes down, our business is one of the few that goes up ... I don’t think we’re the one’s at this point in time who should take cuts.” Powhatan Sheriff Greg Neal
For long-time county realtor, homes were where her heart was Kentuckian by birth, Mays says she clicked with Powhatan residents
Mays, 80, officially closed her company, Dot Mays Realty, last month, capping off a career that saw Powhatan grow from a sleepy hamlet into a bona fide bedroom community. From her small office By Roslyn Ryan on Route 60, which she moved into Editor in 1983, Mays sold more homes to more people than she is even If you wanted a front row seat to willing to try and remember. If you watch the population boom that bought a house in Powhatan in the unfolded in Powhatan over the past 1980s, there’s a good chance Dot 30 years, you couldn’t have done Mays sold it to you. much better than to pull up a chair next to Dot Mays. see Mays page 5A
Inside
Sports
Index
A2 Crafters bringing comfort Powhatan-based group has handcrafted thousands of items for area hospital patients.
B1 BSH Basketball Knights battle defending state champion.
Calendar Classified Crossword Horoscope Editorial
A4 B7-8 A9 A9 A8
Opinion Quotes Real Estate TV Listings
Ax A2 B8 B4-5