08/12/2026
Board of Supervisors - August 11 meeting review:
Presentations:
A.P. Hill’s new Commander, LTC Issac Howard was introduced. Colonel Howard started his two-year term in June.
Presented a County flag to Kathryn Burruss, representing the Horticultural exhibit at the State Fair.
Bowling Green Mayor Tina Gambill announced the Town’s partnership with Bowling Green, KY and presented a key to the Kentucky City.
Unfinished Business:
Addressed the School Board budget and funding for 2026-2027. When the County adopted its budget in June the State was behind schedule and had not approved its budget yet. At that time, the Board funded Schools at the same level as last year, with the intent of increasing the funding by $1M as proposed in the County Administrators budget presentation once the State numbers came in. Subsequent additional budget requests from Schools included $245K to complete the 4% raise for all employees and $500K for Special Education contracted services. The County approved both requests making the total local funding close to $21M. This raises two key issues; the State continuously funds raises for only Standards of Quality employees, leaving others out or asking the County to make up the difference. The other negative impact is the Federal requirements for Special Education continue to increase without additional funding.
New Business:
Approved the economic development incentive for Publix Grocery store in Ladysmith on Ladysmith Rd and Rt 1. This incentive was necessary to get Publix to move up their schedule for a store in Caroline. Previously, Publix and many other businesses have said the County does not have enough rooftops. The site still must be divided by the developer but the County has made its final approval.
Reviewed the special exception conditions for solar project Whalebone Solar. Since no activity had taken place on site, the special exception is void and can not move forward. With the same result on the two other solar projects, Caroline is without any solar projects.
Increased staff positions at Planning Dept. Increased the starting salary for two positions (Plan reviewer and building inspector) that hadn’t been filled due to lack of response based on starting salary and added two more positions (code enforcement and admin. assistant) to help decrease the time needed for Planning approvals.
Discussion of Biosolid applications within the County. Many years ago, the County had total control over the applications for biosolids (sludge) but the General assembly took that control away and allowed all applications. The County is now requesting the State to provide water testing for neighbors in areas where biosolids are applied.
Prepared by Floyd Thomas
Mattaponi District Supervisor
