Miller forecasts challenging year
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Miller

Upon being selected as chairman of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors last week, Dale Supervisor Kelly Miller told his fellow board members there are renewed challenges for the coming year. Matoaca Supervisor who has already announced she will not seek reelection, was elected vice chair.

After making a few of the traditional comments expected from a newly-elected chairman, Miller delivered some marching orders and gave fellow supervisors a pep talk, reminding them to keep their eyes on their duties and constituents. He has acknowledged in the past that 2007 could be difficult because all supervisors are up for reelection in November. Testy political races, perhaps most likely in the sprawling Matoaca District, could prove distracting.

Topic A was growth, and Miller wanted to revisit the question of whether "2.5 percent [population] growth each year is reasonable." Now the largest county in central Virginia with about 300,000 residents and growing faster than any other, Miller wants to "rethink" the county's growth "by sitting down with our planning commission to take another look." Residential growth has a direct impact on services provided by the county, particularly on schools and transportation.

Miller also indicated that Chesterfield would probably have to do more to meet its transportation needs "since it appears [the General Assembly] wants to transfer more responsibilities to localities. The state has the responsibility" for road building, he insisted, calling the possibility of a shift from that role "almost a breach of faith. [But] if we have to do more, we can do that."

The board has already pledged a two cent reduction in the current property tax rate ($1.04 per $100 of assessed value) this year, but Miller urged a 5-6 cent reduction since real estate assessments are projected to see another significant increase later this month. There have also been indications Chesterfield might set aside a penny of the tax rate annually for road construction.

"There is always the issue of criticism of this board," acknowledged Miller. "We have to work as a team and should be receptive to those who have good ideas. Those who abuse the opportunity to criticize will always be with us. I'm not going to be bothered by that. We have to do our level best, and now, let's go."

Pending lawsuit

The Chesterfield board has met twice in executive session to discuss the possibility of a lawsuit by the family of a former Colonial Heights police lieutenant accidentally killed during a police pursuit on Aug. 12 last year. Chesterfield officials declined to comment.

A Chesterfield police officer, 34-year-old Emerson James II, ran a red light in Colonial Heights during that high-speed pursuit, and slammed into the vehicle driven by Lt. James H. Sears, who was headed home. Last November, Chesterfield Police Chief Carl Baker acknowledged that James was not following police policy when he ran the red light.

Comcast rates

Though it has no legal authority to regulate cable rates, on Jan. 24, the board will hold a public hearing on the Comcast rate increases that went into effect earlier this month. Limited basic service was hiked from $9.50 per month to $10.75 while the more popular full standard service went up from $49.71 monthly to $52.45.

The county's limited oversight covers very little, but it could hire an outside auditor to review the increases, though that is unlikely because it is not likely to be cost effective.

DEA helicopter

The board scheduled a public hearing on Feb. 14 to decide whether to authorize leasing hangar space at the county airport for a B0105LS helicopter owned by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The 10-year agreement fixes the rate at $600 per month, and either party can cancel with 30 days written notice. The rate would increase annually by a cost of living adjustment.

Banners

The board is expected to permit more banner advertising even though it has tightened requirements for other signs (see sign amendment story on this page). The county will also use citizen volunteers to pick up illegal signs along roadsides.

Nonprofits would be allowed more flexibility in the number of banners and the allowable display time, but the county would require completing an application form. Businesses and organizations not in a shopping center could display two banners if they front two roads- one banner per road.

The board has scheduled a public hearing on Feb. 14 before a probable vote on the proposed changes to the county code. The planning commission unanimously recommended the changes.

Powhite Parkway extension

Following the recommendation of county staff, the board accepted the dedication of 64.4 acres of land from the developers of Magnolia Green and purchased another 89.3 acres at $26,000 per acre for the possible extension of the Powhite Parkway. The funding comes from the county's Capital Improvement Plan, and includes an estimated $10,000 in closing costs.

The right-of-way cuts through Magnolia Green near Grange Hall Elementary School. The county does not have the funding to extend the four-lane divided highway, but hopes a private firm might offer to build it as a toll road from its existing end at Charter Colony Parkway. The county's transportation department estimates it will cost at least $300 million to build the nine mile extension.