MLK Jr. Day and a $22.6 million Staunton budget amendment: THE DIGEST

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Staunton

STAUNTON — The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Vesper Service will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Staunton at 7 p.m. Staunton Mayor Stephen Claffey will present the city's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation.

According to Central United Methodist Church's Facebook page, the program will feature the Anointed Voices of Praise, Mary Baldwin University Choir, Greater Things Dance Ministry, and Voices of Unity.

Planning Commission recommends ordinances

VERONA — As covered in THE AGENDA, the Augusta County Planning Commission recommended the approval of four ordinances. The ordinances have not been passed  — the Augusta County Board of Supervisors will consider them in an upcoming meeting.

The executive summaries of the ordinances provide an overview of each considered change:

• An ordinance increasing “the minimum setback for mining/quarry operations from 200’ to 500’ from all property lines and increases the minimum setback the Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce or eliminate from 200’ to 500’.”

• An ordinance adding a “10,000 square feet limit” to “limited outdoor storage” as a “standard for vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, and similar vehicles.”

• An ordinance allowing “the Board of Zoning Appeals to reduce or eliminate the one hundred-foot (100’) setback between adjoining property owners where similar industrial uses are ongoing.”

• An ordinance removing a requirement that a petitioner “be notified of the last day prior to consideration by the planning commission when the owner may proffer conditions.”

Staunton approves $22.6 million budget amendment

STAUNTON — The Staunton City Council voted to accept a $22,643,657 budget amendment presented at the Jan. 11 meeting.

The funds come from a variety of sources, such as bank interest payments, lawsuits, grants, funds from the state, and money for infrastructure projects.

City Manager Leslie Beauregard told The News Leader that the total amount of the budget amendment would be unusual if not for a change in the way budget amendments are handled in city offices. Staunton Chief Finance Officer Jessie Moyers compiled all of the incoming funds into one huge budget amendment, rather than the piecemeal approach in past years.

Mayor Stephen Claffey celebrated council not having to consider frequent budget amendments.

The amendments include:

• General Fund amendment of $7,108,961.

• Capital Improvements Fund amendment of $6,189,859.

• Bond Fund amendment of $94,793 — transfer to School CIP.

• Grants Fund amendment of $5,244 — appropriated federal DMV grant.

• Water Fund amendment of $5,930,000 — appropriated VDH ARPA Grant funding.

• Sewer Fund amendment of $198,275 — appropriated additional funds for the Clarifier #3 project.

• Environmental Fund amendment of $2,122,813.

• Stormwater Fund amendment of $950,000 — reappropriated ARPA funds.

• HUD Fund amendment of $43,712 - local share of W. Beverley Sidewalk project.

• Education Fund amendment of $2,994,891.

• School CIP Fund amendment of $4,464,356.

• SOP Fund amendment of $3,687 — appropriated additional grant funds.

• School Cafeteria Fund amendment of $268,220.

A more detailed breakdown is available in the council agenda packet online.

Staunton sells four acres to Staunton Crossing project

STAUNTON — The sale of 4.09 acres from Staunton to Staunton Crossing Partners LLC was unanimously approved by Staunton City Council on Thursday, Jan. 11.

In December 2023, the Staunton Economic Development Authority recommended the sale at the price of $65,000 per acre for 4.09 acres. The LLC was previously given the option to purchase the land in 2016, when it purchased 25 acres for $1.25 million. Councilmember Brad Arrowood explained, “Really, this was a deal made back in 2016 come to fruition.”

The total is approximately $318,000. Mayor Stephen Claffey joked, "We’ll take checks."

Augusta Supervisors fund weight room, fire department furnace

VERONA — At the Jan. 10 meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Pam Carter requested funding for two organizations. Both requests were approved.

First, $5,000 for Buffalo Gap High School's weight room. Carter explained, "The last upgrade was two decades ago, so they're not being frivolous with this money."

Second, $7,500 was sent to the Craigsville Fire Department to reimburse the cost of a new furnace in the building. Chief Tracy Martin told The News Leader the station's heated cracked on Jan. 5, just before as both the Jan. 5 Craigsville Fire and a town hall on the closing of the Augusta Correctional Center.

Augusta County Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closures

VERONA — The offices at the Government Center, Shenandoah Valley Social Services, and the Augusta County Library will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day. The Augusta Regional Landfill and convenience sites will also be closed.

Staunton Schedules for MLK Jr. Day

STAUNTON — The schedules for City of Staunton offices and facilities will be modified in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15.

• Trash Collection — Residential: Residential trash regularly scheduled for pickup on Monday, Jan. 15 will be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 17, all other trash pickup remains the same.

• Trash Collection — Downtown Central Business District (CBD): No trash collection on Monday, Jan. 15. CBD customers will receive trash collection on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and additionally on Wednesday, Jan. 17, with normal pickup the remaining days of the week.

• Recycling Center Hours — The Recycling Center will be closed Monday, Jan. 15 and will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, Jan. 16. As always, the Center will be closed on Wednesday.

• Library Hours — The Staunton Public Library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 and return to its normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The outdoor book drop will be open for returns, and digital books and other online resources are available 24/7 at www.StauntonLibrary.org.

• Administrative Office Hours — The City of Staunton’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Highway Work Zones in the VDOT Staunton District for January 15 to 19

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

*NEW* Exit 96, eastbound – Left shoulder closures for brush removal, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

INTERSTATE 81

*UPDATE* Mile marker 217 to 222, northbound and southbound – Overnight slow-roll closures northbound, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday night. During slow rolls, on-ramps at exits 217 and 220 will be temporarily closed. Overnight single-lane closures northbound and southbound, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. Work is related to construction of I-81 auxiliary lane project.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound – Shoulder closures for sign installation and mowing, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Overnight southbound alternating lane and shoulder closures including along Exit 221 off-ramp for inspection of I-81 bridge, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday nights. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 234 to 233, southbound – Right shoulder closures for ditch repairs and tree removal operations, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

PRIMARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) – Eastbound overnight alternating lane closures between Staunton city limits and Route 792 (Brand Station Road) for inspection of I-81 overpass bridges, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday nights. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) – Westbound right lane closures between Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) and Route 11 (Lee Highway) for pedestrian access improvements, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through February 2024.

Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between interstate frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for replacement of bridge over I-81. Follow posted detour. Closure is needed to construct I-81 southbound auxiliary lane. Expected completion summer 2025.

Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 29. Estimated completion summer 2024.

Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: THE DIGEST: MLK Jr. Day and a $22.6 million Staunton budget amendment