Henrico supervisors reject plan to spend meals tax funds on school playgrounds

The Henrico Board of Supervisors last month rejected a school board request to appropriate meals tax funds for playground improvement projects, but approved an amended version of a budget request appropriating $9 million for Henrico County Public Schools’ improvement projects.

The proposed $1.5 million for playground improvements will be held in reserve.

The approved funding included a total of $1.52 million for security improvements ranging between $75,000 and $200,000 apiece at 16 schools – Colonial Trail E.S., Echo Lake E.S., Mehfoud E.S., Rivers Edge E.S., Shady Grove E.S., Short Pump E.S., Springfield Park E.S., Sandston E.S., Three Chopt E.S., Tuckahoe E.S., Twin Hickory E.S., Holman M.S., Short Pump M.S., Freeman H.S., Glen Allen H.S., Adult Education East.

It also included:
• $1.4 million for pavement improvement projects at four schools
• $840,000 for exterior improvement projects at eight schools;
• $760,000 for interior improvement projects at 11 schools;
• $680,000 for building automation improvements at six schools;
• $600,000 for bathroom improvements at Baker E.S. and Freeman H.S.;
• $725,000 for chiller replacements at three schools;
• $395,000 for miscellaneous replacements at four schools;
• $205,000 for voice and intercom replacements at five schools;
• $200,000 for mechanical improvements at Laburnum E.S.;
• $30,000 for lighting improvements at Elko M.S. and Glen lea E.S.

(Click here to view a complete list of all approved projects funded by meals tax revenue.)

The June 28 work session that preceded the meals tax vote ended on a tense note after the school board's request to appropriate the funds for playground restoration was met with vocal opposition by all five supervisors.

The meals tax is meant to be used for things that are critical to school facilities, such as parking lots, security and lighting, Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O’Bannon said. Things like playground equipment have historically been funded by Parent Teacher Associations and other fundraising efforts, she said.

Defending the school board’s proposition, a representative said that playgrounds are required by the Virginia Board of Education and that PTA funding is not what it used to be. He also argued that relying on fundraising for playground facilities would exacerbate inequalities in schools with less parental financial resources.

O’Bannon suggested that a more appropriate use of the funds would be increased school security, which Fairfield Supervisor Frank Thornton seconded.

Brookland Supervisor Dan Schmitt acknowledged the importance of funding playgrounds for bettering the lives of Henrico’s kids but also expressed hesitation about using the meals tax for it.

“The voters [may think,] wow, we’re down to playgrounds,” he said, explaining that appropriating the funds for that purpose may imply that every schools’ mechanical, security, air conditioning and bathroom needs have been perfectly met.

County code amendments

During that same work session, the board of supervisors conducted their annual review of legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly that affects the county code. This year, policies related to vehicle exhaust noise, hotel taxes and eminent domain were among those discussed.

Vehicle exhaust noise

The proposal, if adopted, would grant the county the general ability to regulate vehicle exhaust systems for all vehicles in the county. If the ordinance is adopted, having a vehicle with a noisy exhaust system – defined as a non-factory issued or faulty exhaust system – would become a primary offense that police could stop a driver for.

The General Assembly took away localities’ ability to regulate loud motorcycles and scooters. The current ordinance prevents people from revving their engine, skidding out, and engaging in other

The county has received countless complaints about loud vehicles over the past few years but was unable to stop vehicles for that alone because it was a secondary offense.

Modified vehicles that make a loud popping sound resembling a gunshot would become illegal under the new ordinance. Patricia O’Bannon, who brought up this specific concern, said several of her constituents had been frightened and called in about those.

Taxes

SB432 made it clear in state law that convention centers or businesses that only lease meeting rooms and conference rooms and not sleeping rooms are exempt from hotel taxes. HB518 changed the rules on how intermediary parties such as AirBnB and VRBO participate in hotel taxes.

HB1084 introduced a technical change that exempts bank directors and directors of trusts from business license taxes.

These items are anticipated to appear on the board’s October agenda.

Eminent domain

The changes to eminent domain laws continue the trend of favoring landowners when the government seeks to acquire land, the presenter said. Increase the costs associated with acquiring private property rights because the definitions of “lost profits” and “lost access” have changed.

The new definition of lost access allows it to be used by homeowners as well as businesses and farms. For example, the construction of a median in the road that blocks left turn access out of a neighborhood would qualify as lost access under the new definition.

Property disputes

HB 1088 requires minor subdivision zoning ordinance changes which are expected to be presented to the Board this fall, Brian Murphy said. The changes will streamline the resolution process for minor property disputes. In order to qualify, the boundary line may not move by over 250 feet, alter either property’s acreage by over five percent, create a new lot or conflict with local ordinances.

Land use program

Two bills passed by the GA require two technical changes to the county’s land use program, a tax benefit available for qualifying properties. The changes will have no effect on the substance of the program as they are purely technical, a county official said.

Under HB 996, the owner of an undivided interest in a parcel may now apply for the program on behalf of him or herself and the minority owners of the property and under HB 238 the state department of taxation can now provide the application forms.