By DAN TELVOCK
Three public safety officials and a Circuit Court judge sent Spotsylvania supervisors letters this week that foreshadow chilling scenarios if there are delays in the campus master plan.
The $50 million first phase of the project includes a new Circuit Court building, a public safety center, a judicial center addition and a renovation. The new buildings and renovations are needed because of lack of space and growth. The county government first looked at the project in 2001. Financing comes from the 2005 bond referendum.
Circuit Court Judge David Beck, Sheriff Howard Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely and Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Eudailey don't want the project delayed.
Their letters come on the heels of Supervisor Emmitt Marshall's suggestion to delay the first phase one year to save $1.2 million. Supervisors responded to the letters at last night's Board of Supervisors meeting.
Smith wrote that a delay would "compound the monumental problems of morale," in his department.
Eudailey wrote that a new Emergency Operations Center is paramount because the current one "is not adequate for long- or short-term operations." Beck wrote that caseloads in the three courts are "at or near the highest in the state." A delay would only cost more, he said.
Neely wrote that as many as three new judges could be added to the 15th Judicial Circuit soon, and there is no room. By law, localities must have courtroom space for each judge, he said.
Supervisor Benjamin Pitts, a retired police officer, said when it rains, the sheriff's evidence room floods. Delaying it would cost $3 million more in construction costs, he said.
"I think that after seven years of delay, during which the cost of this project has substantially increased, I don't think that further delay is wise," said Supervisor Hap Connors.
Marshall said it was his hope to delay the project for one year.
"After reading the letters I received from the sheriff, commonwealth's attorney and Circuit Court judge, it doesn't seem like that is possible," he said.
Supervisors voted 7-0 to solicit a public-private partnership for an architect for the new circuit court and public safety buildings.
Marshall said he will find other ways to cut a few million from the county budget.
Supervisors face a bare-bones fiscal year 2009 budget that doesn't recommend employee raises or any new initiatives. The budget totals $444.4 million, a 4.7 percent increase. The General Fund increases 1.6 percent under County Administrator Randy Wheeler's proposal.
Even with the minimal spending, the recommended budget would still require a 6-cent tax increase. Wheeler recommends maintaining the current 62-cent tax rate, but an equalized rate is 56 cents because assessments show an average 10.5 percent increase in property values.
Supervisors voted 7-0 last night to advertise a tax rate of 62 cents.
Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com
What they said: Spotsylvania Circuit Court Judge David Beck, Sheriff Howard Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely and Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Eudailey all sent supervisors letters asking them not to delay the campus master plan. "Since Virginia law mandates that localities provide courtroom space for each judge, it is imperative that we not delay the scheduled implementation of the new campus master plan for the construction of the new courthouse and the renovation of the existing one." --Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely "Spotsylvania County has a nuclear power station just across the border in Louisa County. In addition, we have had numerous events that have required the [Emergency Operations Center] to be activated and on occasions, been in operation for extended periods of time. The current EOC is not adequate for long- or short-term operations and needs to be replaced and updated with available technology to allow for more efficient operations." --Chris Eudailey, fire and rescue chief "The concerns and issues that are represented [in the five-page letter] would only compound the monumental problems of morale, and frustration, currently felt by every member of the Sheriff's Office due to the current working conditions and environmental hazards my staff faces every day." --Sheriff Howard Smith "Furthermore, the public, by its vote for the bond referendum has expressed its desire that this project proceed." --Circuit Court Judge David Beck |