Madison BOS discusses budget, tech zones and VDOT issues

Madison County Board of Supervisors began their regular meeting Tuesday night with a discussion about a citizen accusation of ethics violations during a recent public hearing about an animal rescue’s application for a SUP to operate a kennel. Neighbors of the kennel assert that members of the board breached the code of ethics while in the process of approving the SUP. The board briefly discussed the ethics issue before denying Mike Elias’ request by not placing it on the agenda. Supervisors Carlton M. “Carty” Yowell and Jud Buchanon both recused themselves from discussion since both had been named as violating ethics. Supervisor Dustin Dawson said he wasn’t about to step on anyone’s first-amendment rights and BOS Chair R. Clay Jackson agreed. An independent audit of Madison County’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget was presented by David Foley of the Charlottesville-based CPA group Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates. He updated the board on the financial health of the county. Foley explained that Madison County’s financial statements have been prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices and complies with government standards and complies with grant program regulations. As of June 30, 2023 the county’s net balance was just over $35.4 million, an increase of $2.86 million from the end of FY22. The increase came from increased tax revenues, sale of real estate and increased interest income. After hearing from Foley about FY23, County Administrator Jonathon Weakley brought up potential suggestions for the FY 25 budget. He suggested advertising the change in personal property tax rate at $3.60 recognizing that it is possible to take action on a lower rate if necessary but not possible to raise the rate after advertising it. The $66.1 million budget includes continued funding for the county’s radio system, expansion of broadband, the purchase of several vehicles, continued renovations to the Madison County Rescue Squad building for EMS and developments at Hoover Ridge Park. The increased personal property tax is hoped to offset the additional funding requested by the school system. Supervisors also discussed the idea of a technology corridor- targeted economic development area. Supervisor Jim Jewett has researched other neighboring counties and noted that in many areas development centers around where utilities are already available and cited the example of greenhouses along the Rt 3 corridor in Culpeper in part because the gas lines were already in place making the area appealing to those businesses. Jewett cautioned the group not to copy other counties and instead to follow a path that shapes the future in the way the citizens desire. “We don’t want to become Greene, or Culpeper or Rappahannock,” said Jewett. “We don’t want external forces to shape the future of our county, we need to make this our own.” Weakley also brought up the VDOT six-year repaving schedule and the suggestion to add three additional roads to the schedule. Supervisors have prioritized the addition of Tom Johnston and Mt. Zion Church roads and Wright’s Lane to the six-year plan whenever funding becomes available. Jackson advised the body his family owns property at the end of Wright’s Lane and he has no issue keeping it gravel. The group also unanimously passed a resolution allowing the board to attend a April 27 meeting at James Madison University in Harrisonburg for strategic asset and planning systems and updated the permit process for fireworks displays before heading into closed session to discuss personnel matters related to the open planning and zoning administrator.