Councilman Williams Update 4/15/26

Council updates, town manager updates, quarterly reports, budget hearings including water sewer increases set for May 6th, bike fest application approved, approval to enter into North Beach, engineering design contract, and public hearing set for capital improvement plan we’re all on Wednesday’s agenda.

Approval of Meeting Minutes: January 22, 2026, March 10, 2026, and March 18, 2026 - vote 

7-0 to approve

Resolution #16-26, Amends and Appropriates FY 25-26 Budget, General Fund for DOJ grant proceeds - this grant is for the accreditation officer’s salary.  Vote 7-0

Council Member Announcements

Economic development – there was a tourism meeting with several action items, including working with Marina Way collaborating, boardwalk banners, marketing, and the USA 250 anniversary.

Non-governmental – Osprey festival had 1500 to 2000 people, there were a number of scholarships given out at the high school and there is an NGO Alliance meeting on the 22nd.

Public work - A number of installs and repairs. There was a storm water safety check. Signs were added to Castlewood area to help slow traffic. The derelict boat was finally moved from the boat ramp.

Parks and rec – there are a number of events in the works.

Planning Commission - several permits for short-term rentals were issued, the average permit took 14 days to issue. New pier leases are being issued. There’s a vacancy in the planning department for a community enhancement code enforcement officer. The Planning Commission voted to approve the tower by Food Lion and a conditional use permit for the fire department. They also approved a CUP for a coffee beanery (council will address next). 

Schools – Attended a collaboration meeting between the town and the schools. Teacher contracts are being renewed. Their audit will begin in May.  A new 77 passenger bus has been purchased. Scholarship banquet to be held.

Finance - Staff is working on wrapping up the FY 27 budget. Town audit will begin in May.

Public safety - the town has hired two new officers. The DARE class for elementary has graduated. The next neighborhood watch meeting will be April 23rd at 5 PM. This will be a joint meeting with Westmoreland County sheriff’s department. The topic will be summertime, safety and dispatch.  Officer Nathanial Romias has been nominated the 2025 officer of the year.

Mayor - thanks to the assistant manager for filling in while Natasha was gone. Easter egg hunt was a success. Azalea Park ribbon-cutting great. Scholarship program 19 students were awarded for over $60K. The sandlot is still open.

Town Manager Update

Azalea Park ribbon-cutting - said it was great.

3rd Quarter Finance Report, Lisa Okes, Director of Finance/CFO - staff is working on enhancing. their quarterly reports showing targets versus actual. The general fund is on target. The Beach rake, trash truck and plow truck have all been purchased. The final price tag was 369K.  The sewer true up payment from the county was received. There’s a bit of a short fall on the water, sewer connection/ availability fees, and town staff is trying to check into why.

1st Quarter Public Safety Report, Chief Parsons 

Police department – there was an independent internal review of the officer that was involved in a traffic stop incident, and it was determined that the sergeant violated internal policies and was fired. There were a total of 1247 calls and the highest number were traffic stops. Staff is working on a new data format to present to the public.

Volunteer fire department had 137 calls, 56 were fire, 12 were motor vehicle and they put in 337 man hours.

EMS – 230 calls. The average car was 8 minutes 48 seconds.

Sewer Plant Update, John Simmons, Inboden Environmental Services - march was a quiet month, but there were some impacts from the cold.

Years of Service Awards 

o Richard Brewster – 5 Years 

o Patrick Caruthers – 5 Years

Congratulations to both gentlemen and thank you for your service.

Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Trivett, District V Supervisor - stated that the Osprey festival was great. The park ribbon-cutting was awesome. Land-use office has a new director and currently no complaints. A fire ban has been put in place. CBVRS life members are allowed to join the county to keep up their membership. The Northern Neck jail has been funded and does not cost the county anything. New EMS building is in the works. I asked about the budget and he said it was behind as they worked to clean up prior issues first.

Public Comment

Citizen  - Owner of preacher Dave’s Barbecue food truck stated that he had previously been at Bill Britt Motors and was asked by the town to leave. Stated he was frustrated because the town did not give him a straight answer on if he can operate on private property or not. Stated that Adam told him he needed to purchase a business license which he did and then was asked to leave after open a few days. Not happy with staff handling of the process.

Citizen - stated she was on the tourism committee and also had questions about the food truck ordinance. Stated it was not clear but at the Boathouse Marina would like to have a truck for customers that are staying short term and would like a quick bite to eat

Citizen- congrats on the park ribbon cutting, Osprey festival, and for getting more orange sand on the beach.  Commented on the budget stating perhaps the town could use the $267K from the schools reduced local match to cover the water sewer short falls.

Citizen- issued a statement of support for the parks and rec and Sally Adams.

Citizen- agrees with the parks and rec support and said it was badly needed. Thanked the town manager.  Downtown Colonial Beach received final approval for full Main Street program. Hard work ahead with the next steps and opportunities.

FY 2027 Proposed Budget Presentation, Lisa Okes, Director of Finance/CFO (Request for Public Hearing) - We were given an overview including increases in healthcare cost of 10.8%, electricity 15%, 911 services up $114 K, volunteer fire department up $25K. Revenue is not keeping up with expenses.  Positions deferred and public relations position added. In our last meeting staff were able to get the water and sewer rates down but still proposed a significant increase with water $1.96 per quarter and sewer $21.44 per quarter. The total bill including trash would be $409 26. Council voted 7–0 to hold a public hearing May 6^th.

This will be your opportunity to speak on the proposed water sewer fee increases. You can also email  town.council@colonialbeachva.gov

FY 2027 Proposed Utility Rates, Lisa Okes, Director of Finance/CFO

(Request for Public Hearing) Vote 7–0 to hold a public hearing.

Discussion on School Tax Rate Findings, Lisa Okes, Director of Finance/CFO - The Mayor originally asked staff for a proposal to separate the school tax rate from the general fund tax rate. Staff did some research and came back with an update. We were told that the town does not have the authority to separate the school tax from the general fund.  Council agreed that it was good to publish the percentage that goes to the schools and the general funds so that the public is aware. The current percentage that goes to the school is 31.39% and to the general fund is 68.61%.

Bikefest Application, Sally Adams, Director of Parks, Recreation and Events - the bike fest is a class A event so council needs to approve it each year. This year the 12th annual bike fest will be held October 8th through 11^th.  Many of the items required by the town for the application have been submitted, but there are still several outstanding items. I asked if the town had any numbers on the financial benefit to the town and was told it cost a town around $7K in overtime, etc. and they believe we bring in less than that in meals and lodging revenues. Overall, staff still feel it benefits to the community.  Council approved pending any outstanding items. Vote was 7-0

Authorization for the Town Manger to enter into agreement with Kimley Horn for North Beach Resiliency Project Grant, Natasha Tucker, Town Manager - As many of you know, the town was awarded an $800K grant to hire an engineering firm to design a shoreline stabilization plan.  The total project is $780K and there is no local match. This is a good step in the right direction to finally get the North Beach/Boardwalk stabilized to protect the towns beach.  We were told that the project was expanded a bit north, which is basically from the American Legion (Maryland Ave) to a couple houses north of Lincoln Avenue. The vote to authorize the town manager to enter into the contract was 7–0.

FY 2027-2031 Proposed Capital Improvement Plan, Angela Lawrence, Director of Community Development & Planning - This was to set a Public Hearing for the CIP capital improvement plan to be held on May 6. Vote 7–0

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335