District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates by Supervisor Tom Shepperd

Thomas "Tom" G. Shepperd, Jr. York County Supervisor, District 5 Hm: (757) 858-8591 Mb: (757) 903-1875 Email address: Shepperd@yorkcounty.gov District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update Subscribe for District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates Dear Neighbors,   The District 5 Report is designed to keep you up to date on activities in and around our area. Residents and homeowner associations are encouraged to share the information with others in their communities.  Please click on the "Subscribe" to receive the report or send an email request to shepperd@yorkcounty.gov.  Comments and questions are always welcome.*   Regards,   Tom   Thomas G. Shepperd, Jr. District 5 Representative York County Board of Supervisors   (C) 757-903-1875 (H) 757-868-8591   shepperd@yorkcounty.gov tgshep@cox.net   -------------March 2025 District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update----------- York County’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget I realize the budget information that follows can be a bit confusing and stressful to some of you. My intent is not to overwhelm you with budget details. I simply want to highlight key points that will aid you in understanding what is going on. From my perspective, the County is in good fiscal shape. Yes, we have some challenges, as we do with every budget, but I know we will get through this one in a manner that continues York County’s reputation as one of the best places to live, work and play in Virginia. The York County Administrator has proposed an FY26 budget totaling $288 million for all funds. The general fund or what is commonly called the County’s operating budget is $200 million. Revenue for the general fund comes from your real estate tax, personal property tax, sales, meals and other local taxes. Also, business licenses, fees, and other charges along with state and federal aid add to the revenue. Compared to the FY25 budget, which ends June 30, 2025, the FY26 budget revenue is projected to increase by $11 million or 5.8%. The real estate tax revenue will increase by $5.8 million and personal property tax revenue will increase by $1.9 million. Expenditures for FY26 include $2.5 million for a 4% plus $500 general wage increase for the County staff, $2.4 million increase for Public Safety, $1.0 million increase in support for our schools, $1.3 million for increased operating costs, $0.8 million increase in external agency support and a $3.0 million increase in cash capital, debt service, and our local share of social services. To make all of the above balance out, the County Administrator proposes a real estate tax increase from $0.74 to $0.78 and an increase in the personal property tax from $3.80 back to $4. You may recall the Supervisors dropped the personal property tax by $.10 in each of the last two years. Prior to that the rate had been $4. To put the proposed York County tax rates into some perspective, the County’s proposed $0.78 rate when compared to existing tax rates in neighboring full service governments is the third lowest. However, comparing tax rates doesn’t provide a complete picture. We all know that the assessed value of a home and the tax rate determine your real estate tax. So, a better way to compare tax rates is to look at the liability or burden the tax rate places on the taxpayers. The slide below shows a comparison of the burden the proposed real estate tax rate of $0.78 will be as compared to our surrounding jurisdictions. Looking at the chart for York County, you see a real estate tax rate of $.78, a median home value of $411,200, a household tax burden (this is your tax) of $3,207, and a median household income of $108,326. This results in a tax burden of 3.0%. What this means is that 3% of the median household income goes to pay for real estate tax. As a percentage of income, York County residents will have more disposable income to buy groceries, make car payments, etc. than nearly all the localities on the list. This shows that our County budget is lean, that we defer paying for non-essential stuff, and as a result you get great service at minimal cost. So how will the proposed 4¢ real estate tax increase impact you? If your home is valued at $200,000, you will pay $80 more a year for a total of $1,560 for the year. If the home is valued at $400,000, you will pay $160 more for a total of $3,120 for the year. If your home is valued is $800,000 you will pay $320 more or a total of $6,240 for the year. Since we pay out tax bills every six months, you can divide the increase in half to see your semiannual bill. What is driving the proposed tax increase? To start off with, there is a $11 million gap between revenue and expenditures. Our employees are critical to meeting resident needs. Keeping a quality work force requires that we must ensure a competitive wage. That is why the Administrator is proposing a $2.5 million increase to support an across the board 4% plus a $500 pay raise.   As many of you know first-hand, York County’s education system ranks #1 in all of Hampton Roads and #3 in the State. In addition, several of our schools are nationally ranked. How many times do you hear that people moved here for the school system? To help maintain this success, our home values, safety and quality of life the Administrator proposes adding $1 million to support our education system.  Another driver for the tax increase is $2.4 million investment in Public Safety. In FY 25, we added 4 Sheriff deputies, 3 firefighters, 2 specialists paramedics for pharmacy mandated services, and 2 information technology specialists to support the Sheriff’s technology requirements. Now, in FY26 we must cover the cost of these employees. Additionally, the County is paying more for overtime, Work as Required support, and certification pay increases for our Sheriff’s Department. Currently, the Sheriff is asking for five more deputies (4 for traffic and 1 for court security) but as it stands now the new budget does not support this request. The Supervisors would most likely have to raise the real estate rate by an additional 1¢ or cut an important service to make this happen. Managing operations cost is another tax driver. An additional $1.3 million is needed to support the County’s ground maintenance, digital library subscription, internal service increases, and contractual services, utilities, and other expenses. Regionally, the County share of the cost for the Regional Jail, Transit Authority, Williamsburg Regional Library and other agencies has increased by $800,000. Finally, $3.0 million is needed to restore the County’s Cash Capital Funding, pay for increases in debt service and our local share for the increases in social services under the Children Services Act. In summary, the proposed tax rate will increase by 4¢ to $0.78 and the personal property tax will increase by 20¢ to $4.00. You can find a complete summary of the budget online at www.yorkcounty.gov.  Here is the schedule for the FY26 budget. Please note that April 3 is a Town Hall meeting in which you can express your ideas and talk with the Supervisors about the budget.  April 1 - BOS Work Session April 3 – Town Hall/Listening Session (Not televised or recorded) will be at the Law Enforcement Building (7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.) 159 Goodwin Neck Rd. Yorktown, VA 23690. Come talk to the Supervisors. April 8 – BOS Work Session (additional) April 15 – BOS Regular Meeting - Public Hearing on the FY2026 Budget and CY2025 Tax Rates April 17 – BOS Work Session (additional) April 22 – BOS Work Session (additional) May 6 – Adoption of FY2026 Budget, CIP, and Tax Rate

Development News Update on the Salvage Yards - I want to thank everyone who responded to my request for comment on a potential development of approximately 20 acres of land at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Route 17.  The developer was made aware of the Supervisors negative view towards adding residential development to the commercial project. The commercial portion of the project was acceptable but not the residential component. Traffic congestion around the intersection is a major concern. Since the initial presentation the developer and staff have been working on additional proposals for the site including the County possibly buying some of the land for later resale. I will let you know if and when another proposal is presented for Supervisors consideration.   Storage Facility - There is a storage facility planned for the salvage yard property at 2100 and 2044 George Washington Memorial Highway. The parcel is approximately 7 acres. This is the old Doody’s property. The facility will have an RV storage lot at the back of the property and ministorage towards the front. There are 3 applications for the facility that will go to the Planning Commission in April 2025 before making their way to the Board of Supervisors.   Chick-Fil-A restaurant – This is a by-right development and will not come before the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors. The 5,195 square-foot restaurant will be on a 6.9 acre parcel adjacent to the Grafton Post Office at 5600 George Washington Memorial Highway (Rt.17). Access to the property will be through Rt.17 and North Constitution Drive. Currently, the plan is under review by VDOT for a traffic analysis. There is no projected date for the start of the project.

* Comments and opinions expressed in the District 5 Report are authorized and approved by me and do not necessarily represent the position of other elected representatives. All email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and to the Virginia Public Records Act, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

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TST Fabrication and Machine Expands Norfolk Headquarters

Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · March 11, 2025    CONTACTS: Office of the Governor Contact: Peter Finocchio Peter.Finocchio@governor.virginia.gov Virginia Economic Development Partnership Contact: Pryor Green pgreen@vedp.org TST Fabrication and Machine Contact: Jeff Yeager JYeager@tstfab.com TST Fabrication and Machine Expands Norfolk Headquarters   Veteran-owned metal fabrication company will invest $3 million and create 56 new jobs RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that TST Fabrication and Machine, a service-disabled, veteran-owned metal fabrication company, will invest $3 million to expand their existing Norfolk headquarters. The company fabricates sheet metal and manufactures machine parts for the Navy. The project will create 56 jobs.   “This investment is a testament to our thriving manufacturing sector and the skilled workforce that drives our economy forward,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The sheet metal and machine fabrication industries are vital to modern infrastructure, and this expansion will create jobs, boost innovation, and further establish Virginia as a hub for advanced manufacturing.”  “We look forward to seeing the positive impact this expansion will have on our community and the U.S. Navy, as well as Virginia’s continued economic growth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “I would like to thank our partners at VEDP, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and the City of Norfolk for making this project possible.”  “We at TST Fab & Machine are thrilled to deepen our roots in Norfolk with this expansion,” said TST Fab & Machine President Matt Hemsley. “This $3 million investment not only signifies our commitment to the region but also reinforces our dedication to supporting the Navy and our national defense. I am incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the continued partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Norfolk. Together, we are setting the stage for future growth, innovation, and job creation, enhancing our community and strengthening our contributions to America’s industrial and defense sectors.”  TST Fabrication and Machine was formed in 2021 through the acquisition of an existing metal fabrication shop in Norfolk and a machine shop in Chesapeake. It is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that specializes in precision machine shop services, custom sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, welding, and painting. Materials include stainless steel, copper, nickel, bronze, titanium, and composites.  “Small business continues to be the life blood of our economy,” said Senator Angelia Williams Graves. “ I commend TST Fabrication and Machine for their tenacity and their ability to not only stay in business but to expand. I am proud to represent a city where our veterans can thrive and are contributing members of the business community."  “TST Fabrication and Machine’s expansion reflects Norfolk’s strong industrial and maritime economy,” said Delegate Bonita Anthony. “Small businesses are the foundation of our community, creating jobs and opportunities that sustain families. I welcome this investment and look forward to the opportunities it will bring for Norfolk’s workforce and local economy.”  “TST Fabrication and Machine’s decision to expand in Norfolk is a testament to our city’s thriving business environment and skilled workforce,” said Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander. “As a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, TST Fabrication embodies the resilience, innovation, and dedication that define our community. We are grateful for their commitment to growing in Norfolk, creating quality jobs, and strengthening our advanced manufacturing and defense sectors. This investment not only supports our economy but also honors the contributions of our veterans in both service and industry.”  “Congratulations to TST Fab & Machine on its expansion,” said Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO Douglas L. Smith. “As a key contributor to Hampton Roads' industrial and maritime ecosystem, TST Fab & Machine strengthens the region’s advanced manufacturing and defense supply chain—sectors that are vital to national security and economic growth. The Hampton Roads Alliance is proud to support the City of Norfolk in fostering this company’s continued success and the skilled workforce that powers it."   The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Hampton Roads Alliance and the City of Norfolk to secure the project for Virginia and will support TST Fabrication and Machine’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.  The company’s headquarters are 1060 W 27th Street in Norfolk.  ###

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District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates by Supervisor Tom Shepperd

Thomas "Tom" G. Shepperd, Jr. York County Supervisor, District 5 Hm: (757) 858-8591 Mb: (757) 903-1875 Email address: Shepperd@yorkcounty.gov District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update Subscribe for District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates Dear Neighbors,   The District 5 Report is designed to keep you up to date on activities in and around our area. Residents and homeowner associations are encouraged to share the information with others in their communities.  Please click on the "Subscribe" to receive the report or send an email request to shepperd@yorkcounty.gov.  Comments and questions are always welcome.*   Regards,   Tom   Thomas G. Shepperd, Jr. District 5 Representative York County Board of Supervisors   (C) 757-903-1875 (H) 757-868-8591   shepperd@yorkcounty.gov tgshep@cox.net   --------------------February 2025 District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update--------------------

Development News I’m requesting your input on a proposed development in our area. The area in question is the salvage yards along the George Washington Memorial Highway (Rt.17). The development will most likely require a special use permit and rezoning by the Board of Supervisors. For over 20 years, the County has tried to incentivized owners of the properties to redevelop the salvage yards. Several development proposals have come and gone for various reasons. The main reason for lack of development is that the area is subdivided among many owners. Some wanted to sell while others did not. This disagreement often leaves a potential developer with parcels that are too small to make a business economically viable. Another major factor is the price of land. As land values continue to increase, developers are driven to create projects that include both a business and a residential component. Over time, to make the area more marketable, several property owners successfully combined the various properties into larger parcels. This didn’t make the land any less expensive. It did succeed in making the land more attractive for development. Recently, the County was approached by a developer, who will remain anonymous, seeking to develop approximately 20 acres of the property near the corner of Rt.17 and Victory Boulevard (Rt.171). I’m not at liberty to tell you the name of the proposed business going onto the site but can say that in my opinion the business would be a great addition to our area. To make the retail business viable, the developer needs to add a residential component that consists of several hundred homes or rental units. Again, I’m restricted from divulging the business names but can tell you that the Supervisors listened to the proposal, didn’t say “no,” and asked the developer to come back with a residential plan that provides for home ownership. The developer’s proposal identified buffering between the development and existing residential areas, and entrance and exits points from the shopping area that includes the addition of a traffic light on Rt.17 and right turn in and exit off Victory Boulevard. I would like to get your thoughts on this proposed project. Before the project is approved by the County, it will go before the planning commission for a land use consideration and recommendation to the Supervisors. At that time, the proposed businesses for the site will be made public. The project will require a traffic study and a review of the impact on our schools and public safety. You can send your comments directly to me at shepperd@yorkcounty.gov or to the entire Board of Supervisors at BOS@yorkcounty.com.

Road Project Updates 1. Victory Blvd. (Rt. 171) Right Lane Extension – This road project is near the Kiln Creek neighborhood. After crossing Rt.17 heading westbound towards I-64, there is a right turn lane for entrance into Walmart. The westbound through lane currently becomes a merge lane just past the Walmart entrance. VDOT plans to extend the westbound lane an additional 700 feet to create a fourth westbound (outside) lane. This will push Victory Boulevard traffic very close to the homes in Kiln Creek. VDOT held a public hearing on the project on November 28, 2024. The contract will be awarded in February or March 2025. Project completion is slated for late summer 2025. 2. Wythe Creek Road Project - The Wythe Creek Road project is comprised of two projects spanning from the Wythe Creek/Commander Shepard intersection in the City of Hampton to Huntlandia Way in the City of Poquoson for a total project length of 1.8 miles. The project provides a three-lane reversible roadway from Commander Shepard Boulevard to Cary’s Chapel Road. Two lanes will be operated in the southbound direction in the morning peak hours, and two lanes in the northbound direction in the afternoon peak hours. In the off-peak hours, the center lane will operate as a two-way center left turn lane. A new 1,500 feet long bridge will be constructed through the causeway area between Hampton and Poquoson, bringing the roadway surface elevation above the 100-year flood plain. A new signal will be constructed at the Wythe Creek/Cary’s Chapel Road intersection, and existing signals will be modified at the Voyager Drive and Langley Boulevard intersections. The existing roadway over the causeway will be repurposed to a sidewalk/multiuse path and new sidewalks will be constructed to provide a continuous pedestrian facility within the project area. The pavement north of Cary’s Chapel Road will be resurfaced.   Upon completion, this project will add capacity, reduce congestion, improve pedestrian accommodations, add street lighting, and improve roadway drainage. The completion date is August 27, 2027.   3. Hampton Hwy. (Rte. 134) Bridge Rehab over Rte. 17 - The purpose of this contract is to replace the bridge deck and approach slabs and make minor repairs to the superstructure and substructure of the existing bridge on Rt. 134 (Hampton Hwy.) over Rt 17. The northbound traffic lane of the Rt. 134 bridge will be temporarily closed during construction and traffic will be detoured to Rt. 17 south via Victory Blvd (Rt. 171). Temporary median crossover on the approach roadways will be provided to maintain southbound traffic on Rt. 134 during the two phase construction. The bridge is located at 0.2 miles north of Yorktown Road (Rt. 706), Hampton Roads District. All work will be confined to the bridge deck and lane closures will be needed at times. This project will be funded with Federal Maintenance funds. The estimated start date is July of 2025 with a completion date in December 2026.   4. Virginia's Smart Scale Program (Revenue Sharing):              (a) Route 17 Widening: This project will widen Rt. 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway) from 4 to 6 lanes between 1.5 miles north of Rt. 630 (Wolf Trap Rd.) and Rt. 173 (Denbigh Boulevard/Goodwin Neck Road). Project award date is April 2027.              (b). Route 171 Widening: This project will widen Route 171 (Victory Boulevard) from 5 to 6 lanes between Rt. 17 and Rt.134. The lane will run from the GI Joe on Rt.17 to the Shell gas station on Rt. 134. The project will improve capacity and operational deficiencies at the intersection of Rt. 17 and Rt. 171. Estimate cost is approximately $4.7 million. Project award date February 2, 2025.              (c). Victory Boulevard (Rt 171) capacity enhancements between Rts.134 (Hampton Hwy). and Rt.1740 (Heavens Way.) This project will decrease congestion by installing a center turn lane at North Boman (Holly Meade neighborhood), and shoulder improvements. The project includes installation of a shared use path along Rt. 171 between Rt. 134 and Heavens Way. The shared use path will connect to the paths being developed by HRSD behind Tabb High School. VDOT is currently analyzing project requirements. The contract award date for Victory Blvd. expansion is March 2028. Contract award date for the shared use path is January 2030.    5. I-64 Gap Widening Project between York County and Richmond – This is a Design Build Project. RFP advertisement was November 2023. April 2024 was the award. Completion is scheduled for November 2027. Thanks to Delegate Barry Knight for getting $500 million for the project.   6. Crosswalk Review - Meadowlake Rd. Based on a review by VDOT, the following is recommended for Meadowlake Rd. at the intersection with Murray Way, Lanahan Dr., and Susan Newton Ln (These roads are in or border the Victory at Tabb neighborhood):   (a) Install three High Visibility Crosswalk pavement markings are recommended on the north leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Murray Way, the north leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Lanahan Dr., and the south leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Susan Newton Ln.             (b) Install six Pedestrian Warning signs on Meadowlake Rd. and Murray Way, Lanahan Dr., and Susan Newton Ln. at the crosswalk locations on both sides of the street.   (c) Supplement the two Pedestrian Warning signs with six Down Arrows panels.   (d) The County should pursue the installation of supplemental pedestrian facilities along Meadowlake Rd including sidewalks and ramps.   7. Paving: VDOT has no road paving planned in District 5 for 2025.

Fiscal Year (FY) County Budget   The County’s Fiscal Year (FY) starts on July 1 and ends June 30. In planning the FY26 budget the County Administrator must consider the budget surplus from FY25. The surplus for FY25 is projected to be $3 million. Normally, the annual surplus runs between $6 million to $8 million. The annual surplus plays a key role in funding the County’s capital improvement program for buildings, schools, fire trucks, parks, etc. This represents a strong financial management practice because the surplus funds for capital projects helps reduce the County’s reliance on debt.   While the previous paragraph talked about FY25 end of year money, projections for FY26 indicate minimal revenue growth. The revenue growth is estimated to be approximately $3 million (2%) above the current year. This represents a significant shift from the past four years, when annual budget growth ranged from 5% to 9% or $6 to $12 million.   The anticipated low year-end surplus for FY25 along with the minimal revenue projection make the FY26 budget particularly challenging. The need to sustain current service levels amid rising costs, along with increasing demands for capital improvements, school funding, and competitive employee compensation, will place additional pressure on the budget.   To address these challenges, the Board of Supervisors has directed the County Administrator to explore all available options, including potential adjustments to fees and taxes. The County Administrator will present his recommended budget on March 18th

Sheriff’s Crime Report York County remains a relatively safe place to live, work, and play. The numbers below from Sheriff Montgomery show that crime is down, and arrest are up. For example, in 2022 there were 22 robberies, in 2023 we had 16 robberies and in 2024 there were 8 robberies. Larceny from a vehicle is another example of the decreasing number of crimes. In 2022, there were 268 larcenies from vehicles. In 2023 and 2024, the larceny from vehicles cases dropped respectively to 134 and 139 cases. Sheriff Montgomery initiated a program titled, “Not in York County.” The underlying warning to criminals is that if you commit a crime in York County you’re going to get caught. The program is being applied across all categories of crimes and is having great success.   Crime Rate per 100,000 population: Year        Population       Incident Total       Rate per 100,000  Adult Arrests 2023         71,806               2,574                      3,584                     1,171 2024         71,806               2,464                      3,431                     1,832 Change                               - 110                       - 153                    + 661 Traffic Enforcement: Year               Traffic Summons Issued 2023                3,420 2024                3,958 Change + 538 DUI Arrests 2023        84 2024      136 Change +52 Civil Process papers Served 2023       18,162 2024       18,665 Change +503 Drug Arrests 2023       56 2024       72 Change+16

Public Works Projects Meadowlake Farms – Behind the townhouses, the County created 310 feet of covered ditch piping with minimal slope to match the existing ditch. This project greatly improved erosion control of the ditch along the back of the cluster home. Meadowlake Farms Pipe Cleaning – County work crews blew out 465 feet of pipe across the homeowner’s association property from the rear of 306 Autumn Way to the crossing of Meadowlake Road. The pipes were severely blocked with erosion runoff. All work was done within the County’s drainage easement. Wythe Creek Farms - The County work crew installed 406 feet of 30 inch slip lining through the steel re-enforced concrete pipe to repair multiple failing joints along Brentmeade. The slip lining is a real cost saver for the County. Colony Pines – County work crew installed along Katalina Way 245 feet of 24 inch re-enforced slip lining to repair multiple failing pipe joints. Olde Port Cove – The concrete swale in a ditch behind a home on Port Cove was repaired after tree damage to the ditch.adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Coyote Update Several years ago, coyotes were rumored to have moved into the western portion of Virginia. We never saw them here. Now, I can tell you for certain that they are here. They have been seen on nearby military bases and behind the new Sheriff’s building. This month I saw three coyotes cross Big Bethel Road near Tabb Elementary School. They are known to be very active, mostly at night, between March - August. Coyotes are normally timid but may not run away from you unless you harass them by either throwing something at them or shouting and waving your arms. However, keep in mind that coyotes have been known to attack humans and their pets. I recently saw a video of a coyote tentatively chasing after a small child in the backyard of a home. The coyote got within about three feet of the child before the dad was able to disrupt the encounter. If you don’t want coyotes around your home don’t leave food laying out. Coyotes are attracted to dog, cat and bird food, and dirty BBQ grills. Also, if you have an elevated shed or open crawl space under your house, don’t be surprised if one day you find a coyote litter occupying the space. One final note, the County’s Animal Control unit will not remove wild animals from your home or property. Animal Control may provide advice as to how you might address the situation.

Board of Supervisors Actions 1. Election of Officers - At the January 7, 2025, Board of Supervisors Organization Meeting, the Supervisors elected Mrs. Sheila Noll (District 2) as Chair and Mr. Doug Holroyd (District 1) as Vice Chair. These positions are held for one year. Mrs. Noll is now in her 30th year on the Board. Mr. Holroyd is in his first term. I continue to serve as the York County representative to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), and Hampton Roads Military and Federal Alliance (HRMFFA). 2. Sexually Oriented Businesses (SOB) - Amended York County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 24.1 pertaining to Sexually Oriented Business in York County. Until this amendment, SOB was unregulated in York County. The amendment was carefully crafted so as not to run afoul of the U.S. Constitution and State Code on issues of freedom of speech and freedom of self-expression. Governments cannot outright ban a SOB. However, the courts allow governments to regulate, within reason, the secondary effects of certain businesses. Here are some of the restrictions that are now in place for SOB:  Cannot operate as a home business  Cannot operate within 500 feet of an existing or planned residential development, nursing home, place of worship, park, hotel/motel, timeshare, and another SOB No underage access Must close by 11 PM 3. Organizational Assessment & Staffing Study - The Berkley Group provided the assessment and report. The purpose of the assessment was to review and analyze York County’s operational structure, staffing levels, policies and procedures, workflow, and opportunities for improving efficiency. The report is over 100 pages. My takeaway from the assessment is that the County has too few people doing too much and there appears to be an inconsistency in use of documentation and systems to organize and coordinate activities. The Berkley group recommended reorganization of positions within various divisions, the addition of 17 staffers over a period of years, and the positioning of some staff functions to the upper end of the county. I estimate that implementing all the recommendations from the assessment will cost us between $3 million to $4 million. 4. Sheriff Montgomery - The Board recognized Sheriff Ron Montgomery for 50 years of exceptional service to York County.  5. Towing Advisory Board - This Board provides recommended guidance on towing service related to policing, i.e., accidents and arrest. The County code will identify the towing service requirements such as which businesses can participate, the required response time and pricing levels. For example, if you are in a vehicle accident that requires a towing service, onsite law enforcement will contact a pre-approved towing company that must respond within 30 minutes. The price of the towing service will already be set. It is important to note that without insurance coverage the vehicle owner will be charged for any towing, storage and delivery fees. The Board of Supervisors will approve the Towing Code later this year.

Information on the Foundation for Public Education The York Foundation for Public Education (YFPE) serves to channel and further expand the resources of the citizenry and business sector to the school division. The goals and objectives adopted by this Foundation require collaborative effort of individuals, families and businesses. The YFPE’s focus is to enhance a tradition of Excellence in York County schools and to keep the division rated in the top 5% of public schools in Virginia. Donations benefit the students and teachers in some, but not all, of the following ways: Grants to Teachers for Innovation and STEM-focused educational projects towards Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) K-12 Recognition of exemplary student achievement Grants for school-wide initiatives that help re-shape, enhance or improve education for all students within the school Career education programs that emphasize the needs and requirements of local businesses To donate or learn more about YFPE, you can visit the website at YFPE.yorkcountyschools.org. 100% of all donations (after cost) are returned directly to the Foundation programs.

* Comments and opinions expressed in the District 5 Report are authorized and approved by me and do not necessarily represent the position of other elected representatives. All email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and to the Virginia Public Records Act, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

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Tom Shepperd | 131 Chinquapin Orch | Yorktown, VA 23693-2322 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice