Notes and Votes April 2

This is Krista Brown with Notes and Votes from the most recent Colonial Beach Town Council work session.

On Wednesday, April 2^nd, Town Council (TC) met for their April work session. All members were present except for Mr. Larson. For those who watch and listen at home, the new video and audio equipment has been installed at Town Hall and it is such an improvement. As a reminder, you can catch all Town Council meetings and work sessions online at Colonial Beach Town Hall YouTube channel.

Vice Mayor Allison provided a report on the completion of various spring projects by the Department of Public Works. Completed projects include spring paving, three water leaks, sewer issues on 8^th street, rehabbing trash cans for Town Hill, and the Town Hill access road. Beach maintenance is scheduled to start in 2 weeks along with dog park mulching.

Mr. Wood advised Colonial Beach Police Department hired three new recruits and that will graduate in August . And congratulations to Sergeant Wright is now Lieutenant Wright and will continue as School Resource Officer till the end of the year.

Darla Odom, Interim Director of Community Development and Zoning presented Town Council with a brief overview of the recently approved Planning Commission Annual Report. Mr. Bailey Thompson was recently elected as the new Chairperson and the annual report will be uploaded online. And finally, a public hearing will be scheduled this spring for continued discussion on Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) Guidelines.

Colonial Beach Public Schools Superintendent Addo presented to Town Council about on ongoing improvement projects and budgetary insights as they move into Fiscal Year 2026 budget talks.

Davenport Public Finance gave a robust presentation on the upcoming budget cycle. I cannot recommend enough to my fellow citizens to tune in and listen to the full presentation and visuals. Colonial Beach continues to be financially healthy but needs to continue to improve the budget as the town continues to have major expenditures with the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Virginia state-match funding requirement for our schools.

Town Manager Tucker drafted the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Surplus Fund Allocation Policy at the recommendation of council. This policy should help create sustainable funds for various CIP plans. The CIP budget holds funds for the school, fire, and rescue squad but has no excess funds past that. Currently, the CIP is funded one way…through the sale of town property. This new policy appears to help create sustainable funds, and may continue to allow the sale of town property to fund the CIP. Council should further discuss and vote on the policy’s adoption at their next meeting.

Town Attorney Duggan discussed Pier Renewals. Currently leases are five years long with the exception of a few outliers who have forty-year leases. He covered several topics regarding piers one, ensuring that homeowners who have piers have insurance to cover their adjacent pier on town leased property. The policy will be posted online and if you have property with a pier or plan on building one, please review this policy and attend public hearing scheduled for council’s May meeting on Wednesday, May 21 at 6PM.

And finally, everyone hates paying their utility and personal property taxes online and currently the town is reviewing potential vendors for new accounting software. Over the next few weeks, town staff will meet with several vendors. Hopefully paying our bills online will be a little easier and more streamlined.

And THAT is a WRAP. Enjoy another day in paradise!