Two solar projects on the agenda for Lunenburg Board of Supervisors on Thursday
The fourth and final edition of this week's newsletter on government meetings in the Fifth District
There are 24 localities in Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District. This is a newsletter that boldly seeks to write up summaries of what’s coming up at meetings of elected officials. To accomplish something like that takes organization, and I’ve spent my career learning how to develop the routines it takes to keep track of a great deal of things.
This newsletter is an experiment in the practice of beat journalism. This is the 117th installment and the fourth for this week. My hope at some point is to use this to train a new generation of reporters how to read the agendas of government meetings, and if you know of anyone who would like to learn, now’s the time to talk about how to do that!
In any case, today’s installment is just about Lunenburg County’s meeting tomorrow. Let’s get to it!
Three public hearings in Lunenburg County including FY24 budget
The seven-member Board of Supervisors in Lunenburg County meets at 6 p.m. They meet at 160 Courthouse Square in Lunenburg. (meeting packet)
After the usual start to the meeting which includes an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, citizen comments, and the consent agenda, Supervisors will hold three public hearings.
The first is for the FY24 budget of just over $52 million, down from just over $53 million for FY23. From the minutes from the May 11 meeting, we learn that there’s a five percent salary increase for all full-time staff. The budget is based on a real property tax rate of $0.38 per $100 of assessed value.
The second and third are both related to a 60 megawatt utility-scale solar facility with the project name “Wheelhouse Solar.” This would be built on nine separate parcels totalling 676 acres but the project itself will cover 373 acres. One public hearing is for a conditional use permit and the other is for a siting agreement.
The Planning Commission recommended the plan, which was found to be in accord with the Comprehensive Plan of the county as well as the towns of Victoria and Kenbridge. The land is currently being used for timber and brings in about $3,036 in real property tax revenue each year. That would increase to $95,436 in the first year of operations for a $5.2 million total over 40 years.
Construction would begin in 2027 according to the presentation in the meeting packet. (page 55)
After that there will be various updates from county offices and departments. This will include a mutual aid agreement between Lunenburg and Mecklenburg County.
Then there will be a discussion of the potential sale of another solar project previously approved by the Board of Supervisors. This is the Dogwood Lane project. Apex Clean Energy got the project through the entitlement process but now Summit Ridge Energy will purchase the project.
“Within Dominion’s service territory, SRE already has Seven projects, totaling over 20 megawatts (MW) awarded capacity in the shared solar program,” reads a letter included on page 128 of the project. (the packet!)
Supervisors will meet next on June 29 for a budget work session.
Reading material:
In Southside, Del. Tommy Wright faces first primary challenge in his 22-year career, Markus Schmidt, Cardinal News, June 7, 2023
Candidate drops out of GOP House primary race, South Boston News & Record, June 7, 2023
Dan River Falls project transforming Danville's iconic White Mill 'moving along rather smoothly, John Crane, Danville Register & Bee, June 7, 2023
Mecklenburg planners propose acreage cap on solar development, South Boston News & Record, June 7, 2023
New Va. 11th Senate District puts Amherst in crosshairs for Dems, GOP in crucial state election, Justin Faulconer, Lynchburg News & Advance, June 7, 2023