FRANKLIN—The local chapter of Woodmen of the World on Monday night asked City Council to consider being exempt from paying property taxes for its lodge at 105 W. Fourth Ave.

The chapter currently pays $2,238.

Woodmen of the World is a non-profit that donates funds to Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial and Walter Cecil Rawls libraries, American Red Cross, Genieve Shelter, Franklin Cooperative Ministries, local fire departments, Shands Park and more.

City Attorney Taylor Williams suggested a public hearing on the matter, and that the Woodmen pay for it.

Councilman Benny Burgess asked what criteria will the city use to exempt people from such future requests.

A motion was made to establish a committee on the matter.

In other business, City Council voted to schedule a public hearing during its Monday, Sept. 12, meeting for the Hampton Roads Regional Water Supply Plan.

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission voted on July 11 to accept the plan and distribute it to local governments for review and adoption.

Included in the plan are descriptions of existing water sources and water use, assessment of projected water demand, statement of need, alternatives analysis to address projected water supply deficits and a description of water management and drought response actions.

Each locality in the Hampton Roads region must submit its regional water supply plan to the Planning District Commission by Sept. 30. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will review the information.