COURTLAND
So far, Southampton County’s draft budget of $60.84M for FY 2019 has no proposed increases in property tax rates and water/sewer and solid waste fees. But as pointed out in the online draft, there is no room to reduce the real estate tax rate, nor is there an opportunity to decrease the solid waste management fee in spite of the reduction in tipping fees.

Although there is a proposal to increase local funding for the county schools, it’s more than $1.1M less than what was requested. Last month, the school board asked for $13.67M of local funding for its $34.71M budget.

The county will also have to put off installing a solid waste compactor at the Sebrell trash site, and postpone adding contract coverage at the volunteer rescue squads on Tuesday evenings.

The Southampton County Board of Supervisors and County Administrator Mike Johnson are working on the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget. When the board meets on Monday, April 23, it could request Johnson to publish that draft and related information in The Tidewater News, and schedule a public hearing at the meeting on Monday, May 21. This date change is due to the Memorial Day holiday of Monday, May 28.

Other business for the meeting will be to schedule a joint workshop with the Planning Commission on the Utility Scale Solar Ordinance. The suggested powwow is for Thursday, May 26, at 4 p.m., at 24283 Old Bridge Road in Courtland.

The supervisors will also consider a resolution that enables Sheriff Jack Stutts to sell or trade in firearms taken by the courts and owned by the county. All sales and credits will be used to buy weapons or equipment needed by his office.