a fire levy, which is based on fair market

a fire levy, which is based on fair market value of real estate, rather than general real estate taxes, which are based on land use values for real estate, to fund the fire departments. He said that over 55 percent of the land in the land use program is owned by “out of county investors.”

At the public hearing on the budget early this month Col. Bingham indicated he would support Mr. Massie’s approach of using general fund revenues instead of the separate fire levy. He said he had changed his mind because people in his district supported the fire levy, including some with land in the land use program.

Earlier the supervisors reappointed Bryant Lee to the School Board representing Hampton District and Paul Nichols representing Wakefield District.

They adopted an agreement with the Fire and Rescue Association and the seven member companies to provide for fire and rescue services in the county.

Commonwealth's Attorney said this agreement would formally extend “sovereign immunity” to members of the squads performing these services and enable the companies to qualify for tax exempt loans for equipment.

The board also adopted the resolution passed by the Planning Commission opposing the Kellerco plan for upgrades to county roads.

Earlier the supervisors conducted a public hearing on secondary road allocations. A few people expressed concern about the use of herbicides by VDOT. Mark Malek suggested VDOT consider planting trees in its right-ofway since so many are removed in projects to widen the roads.

Many people opposed painting center lines on the county’s secondary roads.

However the most heat was generated by a proposal to widen and pave Route 620 from Five Forks to the dead end.

Hal Creel opposed this idea. Most of his neighbors supported it. This road project is not now included in the six-year plan and it cannot be added until after a public hearing this fall.