DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 36, No. 39 | Richmond Suburban News | February 19, 2020
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Harris’ final budget met with praise Plan includes raise for employees, support for public safety, human services, education By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
County Administrator Rhu Harris, left, and Col. David R. Hines, sheriff, presented their budgets to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors last Wednesday.
HANOVER -- County Administrator Rhu Harris probably can’t remember the last time he received a standing ovation on completion of a budget presentation to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. But that’s exactly what happened as he concluded an outline of the 2021 proposal, and a packed house stood and applauded. While Harris downplayed the emotion surrounding his final budget, others took time to note the significance of the farewell
presentation. Board chair Bucky Stanley, Beaverdam District, said replacing the 37-year veteran won’t be easy, especially considering Harris’ experience in financial planning. “This is Rhu Harris’ last budget presentation, and I want to tell you that you are the reason that Hanover County is in such good financial shape,” Stanley said. “I want to thank you and it’s been an honor working with you. It’s going to be a tough task to find the person who will follow you.” But it was strictly business for Harris
who outlined a budget that includes a 2 percent raise for county employees and supports public safety, human services and education needs. With increases in home values, personal property and sales taxes, revenue streams increased from last year, a factor that allowed Harris to present a balanced budget minus an increase in the county’s real estate rate of 81 cents per $100 of assessed value. That good news was tempered with see BUDGET, pg. 4
Superintendent’s budget gets unanimous approval By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND -The Hanover County School Board unanimously passed superintendent Michael Gill’s recommended 2021 budget that provides a 2 percent increase for all employees, enhances bus driver compensation, and funds employee healthcare insurance costs.
Also identified in the capital portion of the adopted budget is funding for 17 vestibules in Hanover County Public Schools’ campuses that will enhance safety and funding for a new elementary school that replaces John Gandy Henry Clay elementary schools. The plan also continues a five-year technology plan that provides laptops to all middle school students this fall, and
PRESIDENTS DAY SALE
FINAL 4 DAYS - ENDS SATURDAY! UPHOLSTERY
distributes devices to high school students next year. In other matters, the school board unanimously passed a revised equity policy that outlines a desire for full and fair treatment for all county students and illustrates the system’s desire to serve all students without regard to special circumstances. The six-member board took that action after listening to the comments of more than a
CR LAINE In Stock and Special Order
CASTELLE
45% OFF In Stock
OUTDOOR FURNITURE In Stock and Special Order
GAT CREEK SPECIAL PRICING
CLASSIC LEATHER
In Stock
In Stock
45% OFF 45% OFF 45% OFF
dozen speakers who expressed support for the policy, while only two speakers objected. When the 60-minute public comment period ended, chair John Axselle said the board would be taking action on the policy later that evening, but told the audience that changes to the proposal had been made. He did not elaborate on those revisions at that time. Once board discussion on
40% OFF Nichols & Stone 45% In Stock and Special Order OFF
the matter began in earnest, two changes to the original proposal were noted in the draft. Not included was the omission of a portion of that sentence that, tnstead of identifying groups that would be included in the inclusive policy, a section clearly contained in the original document, board members chose “all stusee APPROVAL, pg. 16
JOHN AXSELLE
STICKLEY’S Walnut Grove Collection
10500 Patterson Avenue | 804-740-3124 | 888-740-5715 Mon & Fri 9am-8pm | Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sat 9am-6pm | Closed Sun
Additional Storewide Savings
w w w.v a w ay s i d e. n e t
40 - 50% OFF
Immediate Delivery Available on In-Stock Furniture!