Budget may stall roads plan

Budget shortfalls at every level of government could stretch the county’s six-year secondary road improvement plan into a 12-year project.

However, the Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday night to move forward anyway, unanimously approving the project at their regular monthly meeting.

Of the 20 projects listed, County Planning Director John Egertson said that right now, funding is only available for the first seven, adding “the news is not good,” overall for transportation projects statewide. The $3.2 million project calls for paving, shoulder widening or other improvements to the list of mostly rural roads.

Also Tuesday night, the board unanimously approved the creation of the position of county assessor. Gardiner Mulford, a candidate for the Stevensburg District seat in November, was one of two people who opposed the proposal during a required public hearing on the matter.

“Real estate value assessment should remain under the stewardship of the Commissioner of the Revenue, a constitutional officer duly elected by the people of Culpeper and sworn to represent their best interest,” Mulford said. Janet McDonald, who identified herself as a local teacher for 28 years, echoed Mulford’s comments.

In Culpeper, general reassessments of real estate are currently performed by Commissioner of the Revenue Terry Yowell and staff under her supervision. A letter to the editor written by Yowell was published in Tuesday’s Star-Exponent.

She did not speak publicly before the board about the matter on Tuesday.

Several of the supervisors spoke in favor of the position, disagreeing with the assertions made by Mulford and McDonald.

Asked to clarify the rationale behind the proposal, County Administrator Frank Bossio said that the position will improve efficiency and communication and that no additional funds are being spent.

The board also approved amendments to zoning guidelines, advancing a planned project by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

The utility cooperative recently announced plans to expand its customer base and plans to build a new office and electric substation on a site on Route 299, near the Friendship Heights apartment complex.

Other action

During the board’s morning session, the supervisors:

- Recognized longtime county employee Peggy Crane. The board’s deputy clerk, Crane recently retired after 25 years.

- Heard a report on area transportation projects from VDOT residency administrator Donald Gore

- Recognized Emergency Services Director Tom Williams, the Richardsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company and area resident William Burton for receiving awards from the Rappahannock Regional Emergency Medical Services Council