Merry Christmas and Happy Near Year! Let’s remember the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ, the only son of God. Let’s also remember and thank those on the front lines as we battle COVID-19, and pray for them. Let’s also thank our service men and women for their valiant efforts to protect our liberties.
This will be the final installment in 2020 of The Maysville Voice, our newsletter to keep you, the voters our neighbors and friends in the Maysville District, informed on decisions that impact you and your families. The next newsletter will be in January 2021. One of our campaign goals was to introduce this newsletter to keep clear and consistent communications, and I am proud we have consistently done this.
The year 2020 has been one we will never forget. It’s been my first year as your supervisor, one where our county, commonwealth, and nation has seen unprecedented challenges, and many opportunities as well. See more below regarding the COVID-19 vaccination, and please continue to stay safe, wear a face covering when in public places indoors, and social distance.
As always, I would love to hear from you on any issue important to you. You can call or text me at 434-390-7023, email me at jmiles@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov, or stop by and visit me at 13170 W. James Anderson Highway (my house is beside Herbert Maxey’s law office on Route 60).
Joint BOS and Planning Commission Regarding Commercial Prospecting is Monday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
The Board of Supervisors will be jointly meeting with the Planning Commission on Monday to hear from a panel of experts with the state and various associations and agencies, other mining operations and their representatives, along with Aston Bay Holdings and the two landowners or their representatives where commercial sampling has taken place.
Download and view our joint meeting agenda and supporting documents here: https://buckinghamcountyva.org/Planning%20Commission%20Packets/2020/PC%20Packet%2012-21-20.pdf. You can view the joint BOS and Planning Commission meeting live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnMeTfQAXvI.
I am looking forward to hearing from these professionals and representatives on this matter. I maintain that we need to continue to be business-friendly to draw more commerce and private enterprise in Buckingham while protecting the rights of private property owners.
As you know, the Board and Commission have been discussing commercial core sampling/prospecting with regards to the previous commercial core sampling conducted by Aston Bay near Warminster Church Road, along with the potential for a mining operation for gold by Aston Bay. To reiterate, we are meeting with the Planning Commission to add “commercial prospecting” as a special use in the A-1 and M-1 districts, and making it by right in M-2; defining “commercial prospecting;” and adding that definition to the Zoning Ordinance; and leaving mining in A-1 as a special use permitted use in A-1 and M-1. See specifics below. I would like to hear your opinion on this proposal. See below for more details.
VDOT Six-Year Road Improvement Plan Approved
Over the next six years, VDOT has forecasted a total of $3.6 million dollars into our construction program regarding our Six Year Road Improvement Program here in Buckingham. In the Maysville District, roads included in the plan are Hunters Road and Red Road, both of which have had state money spent on them via construction work.
Because Red Road connects two major U.S. Highways, and the existing homes and new homes on this road, I have pushed this entire road road to be fully surface treated as soon as possible. Half of the road was surface treated in the last year and a half while the other half needs to be completed. The whole road should have been completed when the first half was. According to VDOT, with roads in the Plan that have already seen work done, those roads are locked in, hence the inability to switch and move them around within the plan.
Repair, Replacement of Roofs at High School
We received a request from the School Board for approval of bids to replace and repair two roofs at Buckingham County Public High Schools — a metal roof and a flat roof. The Board discussed this matter, and I support the result of discussions which include the School Board receiving bids for replacement and/or repair. There are several leaks in the respective roofs, and this is a matter that needs our urgent attention.
Revenue Share Hearing for Solar Farms/Projects Tabled
While a public hearing request was tabled for a proposal to assess $1,400 annually on AC megawatt on solar farms in Buckingham consisting of 20 megawatts or less, we will be working with experts and our county staff and legal counsel on how we can make more revenue on this ever-growing industry. If we assessed the $1,400 per megawatt revenue share, we would have to forego assessing a machinery and tools tax. If we were to see a solar farm approved of more than 150 megawatts, we could lose revenue for several reasons.
I support negotiating host/site agreements for each solar farm of substantial size that wants to enter Buckingham County, which could include a component of revenue sharing. If we approve this proposal, we could be locked into this, even if a very large solar farm were to located in Buckingham, which we have the capability of having here. It is my understanding that, from a business perspective, we, as a rural locality, would be at a much greater advantage to first 1. Address our desire for how much solar and where in our Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and 2. Understand that assessing machinery and tools with a host agreement in place could yield more revenue for our county, rather than relying so heavily on tax dollars.
Holiday Information and Links to Information
If you’ve missed any Board meeting, you can click this link to view our past meetings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfIL3rVTUEqgxBwXCQoBDTA.
The County Administration Complex will be closed several days next week and the week after for Christmas and New Years. The County Administration Complex will be open on the following dates: Dec. 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30.
COVID-19 Information from Buckingham County Public Schools: https://www.bcpschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=71820&pageId=27344006.
If you are a customer with Dominion Energy, and are having trouble paying your bills, click here for an opportunity for assistance.
If you are having difficultly paying your rent or mortgage, click here for information from STEPS Inc. and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Buckingham FFA in Virtual National Convention: https://www.bcpschools.org/news/what_s_new/buckingham_f_f_a_in_virtual_national_convention.
Taxes were due in early December. If you’ve not paid, you can pay online. The Board of Supervisors has waived the service fee to pay with credit cards online. Click this link for more information: https://pay.paygov.us/EndUser/LocationCode.aspx.
BCPS 2020 Virtual Talent Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2MBwdMTwh-nvjdLLEFR7-NBH9jg-JnflDqslpAe5hzZipjIRDhB33i0yw&v=A17GGRzT2XU&feature=youtu.be
Giving Back To Our Community
Do you know of any individuals and/or families in the community who may be in need this holiday season? My friend Cam Johnson is doing a Christmas holiday giveback and would love to specifically target some people in the community who are in need.
Please Contact Me!
PLEASE always feel more than welcome to call, email, text or visit me (using social distancing for the time being). If you have any comments, ideas, criticisms, compliments, or anything to say regarding my representing you on the Buckingham Board of Supervisors, please get in touch with me. You can call/text me at 434-390-7023, email me at jmiles@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov, or come see me at 13170 W. James Anderson Highway in the court house village. I would be pleased and happy to hear from you anytime.
Thomas “Jordan” Miles III
District Four/Maysville Supervisor
(434) 390-7023
13170 W. James Anderson Hwy.
PO Box 188
Buckingham, VA 23921
Maysville District Supervisor Thomas Jordan Miles III 