ROARK (file)
QUESTIONS PLANS FOR $20 MILL.+ BUILDING
Does Nottoway County truly need to build a brand new courthouse, estimated informally at $20 million or more.
District Two Supervisor John Roark is urging his colleagues to make renovations and other repairs, where needed, to lessen the burden on taxpayers, who have endured significant tax increases in 2024 and again last year.
Roark offered his comments during Thursday night’s worksession. He has previously and publicly called an anticipated tax increase to fund new courthouse construction “The Judge Teefey Tax,” in reference to Chief Judge of the 11th Circuit, Judge Joseph Teefey.
Roark last week also urged colleagues to act sooner than later on taking control of Nottoway Emergency Squad, and to “stop burying trash” — to consider building a solid waste transfer station or sell the money losing County landfill.
Roark said he has “failed” to get two other votes for some of his proposals but that’s part of governing. “It can be a thankless job at times but — God willing — we’re gonna stay together and stay focused and do the best we can moving forward…but I know in my heart some of these things are probably the right things to do.”
Roark, who suffered a stroke last February, said he plans to continue serving and run again in 2027. “I’m looking forward — as long as my health stays up — to being here with y’all.”
Roark says he’s always been guided policy-wise by two questions: “What’s best for the citizens? And what are the requirements” to make that happen?
One of the biggest challenges of 2026, said Roark, is going to be properly funding Nottoway County Public Schools. The County’s anticipated required local contribution will be $1.2 million over the current budget year. “What are the requirements? Are there savings out there? We’re looking at a 10- cent tax increase…and that’s not even including the courthouse and other projects.”
Each penny on Nottoway County’s real estate tax rate — currently 48¢ per $100 valuation — generates about $122,000 annually.
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