Random items making local headlines this week (and previously blogged about here) make for more "must" reading:
New Courthouse
The new courthouse project will move forward. Last October, this portion of the project (discussed for more than 12 years) was esimated to have a cost of $27 million. This May readers are being assured it had swelled to $31.1 but was reeled in to just $30.2 by deferring $900,000 of equipment costs to a separate bid. Why? Well, either to ensure the latest-and-greatest is purchased, or to dilute the total tab in the minds of taxpayers. Bids are due in July and construction is scheduled to begin mid-September, concluding by August 2011 (24 months).
Take Home Vehicles
Pet Peeves blogger wrote about Christiansburg's take home vehicles representing extra cost to taxpayers and waste. During the three Finance Committee meetings, what looked like 16 new vehicle purchases was parred down some. Now read where Roanoke Valley governments are revisiting who has these vehicles and how they're used. Why? Controlling costs and emergency response.
Meals Tax
The Town of Blacksburg has been gathering data to support trying to get Virginia Tech on board with charging meals and lodging taxes for university operations (not student meal plans). Why? Level the playing field for local businesses -- based on this article, it appears it might generate under $200,000 a year for the town's coffers.
New Kid Blog on the Block
While "Advance Christiansburg" has fizzled out as a blog, another new one entitled "A Tale of Two Burgs" debutes. Many folks bristle any time the county's two towns are compared. This post looks at recent rain related issues, contrasting how each town approaches stormwater management. An example shows where an active development was required to go back and redesign erosion control plans in Blacksburg, even though "state standards" had been applied. Why? Obvious failure of said previous plan.
Okay, so if you're a news/blog junkie, there's nothing new here for you to read. Consider it an early summer re-run, or recognize it as a place where these items are filed for future reference. All issues touched upon will continue to be in the public arena for at least the next 24 months.