Board sets General Assembly priorities
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

As expected, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors last week adopted its 2008 legislative program. Heavily focused on protecting current prerogatives, next year's priorities include maintaining authorities for cash proffers and impact fees; preventing the shifting of costs from the state to the counties; opposing more unfunded mandates; and preserving land use and zoning authority.

The county will oppose any legislation that limits local revenue sources. Legislation is expected to be introduced that will cap property tax increases, which is Chesterfield's primary source of revenue.

Chesterfield is also seeking additional funding opportunities since only the state can grant counties more taxing authority.

It will also request $358,000 in state funding for a Dual Treatment Program that provides supervision for offenders who have both mental illness and substance abuse problems and funding from existing appropriations to pilot a DUI Court serving the county and Colonial Heights.

Branner Station

At the board meeting last week, five citizens spoke during the public comment period, calling for the approval of the Branner Station rezoning to be nullified because it allegedly violated county code. Spokesperson Mike Uzel of Chester submitted the signatures of 110 persons who want another vote next year after the new board is seated.

On Sept. 26, the board rezoned 1,614 acres near Chester for almost 5,000 homes and 470,000 square feet of commercial and office space to be built over the next 20 years. The vote was 2-1 with two abstentions. Supervisors Renny Humphrey and Dickie King voted "yes," Supervisor Kelly Miller voted against and Supervisors Don Sowder and Art Warren abstained, saying they wanted more time to study the case.

"Abstaining from voting means not voting," insisted Uzel.

"The zoning case was approved by a 2-1 majority," said County Attorney Steve Micas. "The board's rules of procedures provide that an abstention is a vote. They can abstain for any reason or no reason."

Uzel is organizing citizen opposition to the vote during a meeting at Carver Middle School on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.