Inside A3 PHS holds job fair for students
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Bishop pitches BSH’s first perfect game
Vol. XXXV No.. 39
March 30, 2022
Board keeps real estate tax rate at 79 cents Discussions continue on spending, CIP projects By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors took one question off the table in its fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget discussions when it decided in a split vote to keep the real estate tax rate at 79 cents for this calendar year. Considering the real estate tax rate was not a formal item on the board’s March 22 workshop agenda, which covered a wide range of budget topics. However, after a long discussion about deciding whether to keep the tax rate the same or possibly lower it to provide relief for citizens, the board formally voted 3-2 in favor of keeping the 79-cent rate. Formal resolutions to fix the real estate tax rate at 79 cents and the personal property tax rate at $3.60 were on the board’s March 28 meeting agenda, which
happened after press time. Chair Mike Byerly, who represents District 3; Steve McClung, District 2, and Karin Carmack, District 5, voted in favor of the 79-cent tax rate. David Williams, District 1, and Bill Cox, District 4. While the board discussed a variety of issues during the workshop, the only other vote taken was a unanimous decision to have the county pay $465,000 for the 19.1% health care insurance costs increase faced by participating employees. Other topics discussed at the meeting included the possible salary increase amounts; transportation projects; CIP projects; charitable contributions, and fire and rescue staffing. Tax rate Raising the tax rate was never a discussion on the table for the supervisors this budget cycle, but potentially lowering it was. The decision not to lower it goes back to the board’s stated objectives in 2021 regarding setting a tax rate and sticking with it instead of making it a “political football” that gets thrown around every year. When the board voted in 2021 to lower the tax rate
from 85 cents to 79 cents starting with the November 2021 bill, surrounding it was discussion about choosing a rate the county could stick with to meet its current and future needs but also take some of the burden off the taxpayers. This was done with the understanding they couldn’t bind future boards to that decision and knowing that increases in real estate assessments could mean a property owner’s bill still increases even if the tax rate remains the same. During this year’s budget discussions, Cox repeatedly brought up the tax rate, saying that if the board wanted to change it this year, the window in which to do so was quickly running out. Carmack reiterated the board made the decision it did in 2021 because the supervisors wanted to stop seeing the tax rate bounce up and down and leaving the taxpayers with uncertainty every year. So they decided to set the tax rate at 79 cents, which even allowed them to build an annual 3% merit-based raise into the 10-year budget for employees. Two years ago, the board passed an extremely restricted FY2021 budget since no one knew how the COVID-19 pandemic would impact the tax collecsee TAX RATE, pg. 8
Funds will enable trail extension
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Search consultant Ralph Ferrie speaks to a group of community members on March 23 as part of the school division’s search for a new superintendent.
Consultants seek input for search for new school superintendent PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
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A press conference held March 24 celebrated Powhatan receiving $150,173 in federal funds to build a new trail in Fighting Creek Park.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – State and local leaders gathered last week to celebrate the awarding of $150,173 in federal funding that will lead to the construction of a new walking and running trail in Fighting Creek Park. The county held a press conference on Thursday, March 24 in the park to talk about the new Education Connection Trail — which Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, successfully secured as part of a House-passed fiscal
year (FY) 2022 appropriations package. President Joe Biden signed the legislation that included the funds for the trail into law on March 15. Once constructed, the new trail section will run from the entrance of the Elizabeth Randolph Lewis Powhatan YMCA parking lot to a section of land behind Powhatan Middle and Powhatan Elementary schools. While it still has to be designed, the trail is expected to be about half a mile long. County administrator Ned Smither said there is not yet a timesee TRAIL, pg. 6
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The search to find a superintendent that will be right for Powhatan County Public Schools – and the county as a whole – began in earnest last week with three days of meetings focused on seeking community input. Representatives from McPherson and Jacobson, the firm hired to do the search, spent March 21 to 23 holding informa-
tion gathering meetings designed to ask not only key stakeholders but the community at large what they are seeking in their next superintendent. The division’s current superintendent, Dr. Eric Jones, will retire from his position effective July 1, and the stated goal of the Powhatan County School Board is to have someone in place who can start then. So after hiring McPherson and Jacobson, the school board see SUPERINTENDENT, pg. 6
STEM Expo 2022
Huber crowned Mr. Powhatan
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Mr. Powhatan competitors kick off an evening of fun in their opening number on March 18 at Powhatan High School.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – From the first moments of competitors gyrating in the dark discernible only by glow sticks taped strategically
around their bodies, it was obvious the audience at Powhatan High School’s Mr. Powhatan 2022 competition was in for a hysterical evening. see CROWNED, pg. 5
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Layla Blaisdell, from left, Karmen Rose, Annabelle Blaisdell and Kaya Clark work together at the straws and connectors station at STEM Expo 2022, held March 24. See more photos Page 8A.