There is movement afoot to transfer the cost of infrastructure caused by new residential development to citizen taxpayers of Hanover County. Rather than ask developers to continue to facilitate paying for roads, schools, fire/EMS, libraries and parks due to the influx of new home construction, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors may decide, as early as this week, to eliminate cash proffers and instead ask all citizens to foot the bill. Eliminating cash proffers will not only impact your wallets, but also your quality of life for years to come!

So they may better understand the impact of eliminating cash proffers, the Board of Supervisors plans to hold a Workshop on Wednesday, November 28th at 5 p.m.  We, the Coalition for Hanover’s Future, implore fellow citizens to attend this week’s Workshop.

Background: The home building community comprised of developers and realtors has for years appealed to Supervisor candidates to eliminate cash proffers. This year the new Board of Supervisors appointed a Cash Proffers & Capital Funding Committee to study and recommend alternative sources for generating revenue. The Proffer Committee developed two proposals. In a 7-4 split vote, it was decided that only one proposal move forward. The Committee reported to the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 14th.

What is the Recommendation? To eliminate cash proffers! Cash proffers, one revenue source set aside for infrastructure – roads and facilities for schools, fire/EMS, libraries, and parks – would disappear! To replace this loss, it’s suggested the Supervisors can implement fees/taxes; a vehicle fee was named, among other possibilities. The Supervisors will likely vote on this issue on Nov. 28th. They can accept it, deny it and/or tweak it.

Worst Case Scenario? Rather than vote to accept the recommendation, it’s possible that the majority of Supervisors could alternatively

• vote to eliminate proffers, but
• not enact a vehicle fee to replace the proffers, and instead
• let the county budget makeup the difference!

What Can We Do? This is a citizen issue! It’s critically important that we do everything we can to let the Board of Supervisors know we do not want proffers eliminated.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

Call or Email Your Supervisor NOW! Tell them you want to keep proffers; do not eliminate them. You can also contact all Supervisors.

Come to the Workshop on Wednesday, November 28th, 5 p.m.

Please turn out and bring small signs (8×10) to the Supervisors’ Workshop this Wednesday. Although the public is invited to come and listen, the workshop is not a public hearing and a sign may be your only way to publicly express your opinion. Large signs aren’t permitted indoors. But a small 8×10-size sign works well. It can be held under your coat until needed. Suggestions: No New Taxes, Development Should Pay Its Way, Keep Proffers, Proffers Yes, Taxes No, etc. 

Please Spread the Word!

The 2-page Proffer Committee Recommendation, and 128 pages of support documents, can be read on the Hanover County website.