Hanover to again revise proposal on panhandling

Maybe the third time will be the charm for a proposed solicitation ordinance in Hanover County.

The Board of Supervisors voted 4-2 yesterday to have county staff again revise a proposal on solicitation, this time to put restrictions on such activities only along Meadowbridge Road from Interstate 295 to the Henrico County line.

Last month, County Attorney Sterling E. Rives III presented an ordinance that prohibited anyone from seeking to distribute handbills, bulletins and other literature; solicit contributions; or sell merchandise or services to drivers and passengers of motor vehicles.

There was some concern then that the ordinance was too restrictive when it came to groups seeking charitable donations, so board members asked Rives to revise it to include a permit process.

That's what he presented yesterday, and the new language requires provisions such as a detailed account of the solicitations activities planned, criminal background checks for all those involved and a $50 fee.

However, some board members continued to question the validity of the ordinance if people still would be allowed to be in the roadways.

So board member Robert R. Setliff suggested the ordinance be revised again, to focus it on solicitation along Meadowbridge Road.

The newest version will be brought back to the board at a later date.

In other business, the board deferred a decision on proposed changes to the noise ordinance after hearing from about 20 people on both sides of noise issues.

Board members said too many questions remain about several areas, including noisy animals, target shooting, commercial noise, and mufflers on vehicles operating on private property.

Before last night's meeting, board member Charles D. McGhee said he hoped the changes would provide more clarification about noises and allow the ordinance to be more enforceable.

The board will hold a workshop on the noise ordinance in January.

. . .

In other news, the Board of Supervisors and the School Board met jointly yesterday to take a collective look at a grim economic outlook that faces the whole county.

School Superintendent Stewart D. Roberson said that by 2012, the school division could see a revenue loss of $40 million since 2008.

"We don't feel we've hit bottom," Roberson said. That loss is because of several factors, including the bad economy, lower-than-expected student enrollment -- which translates to fewer state dollars -- and no stimulus money. Adding to that is the recent recalculation by the Virginia Department of Education of its composite index, which determines each school division's share of state funding.

The new formula means Hanover will have to pick up a greater share of its costs rather than rely on state money. For 2011, the division could see $900,000 less in state aid.

The situation isn't any better for the county.

The county could be looking at a potential $22 million loss in revenue for next year. That's assuming a 5 percent reduction from local revenue sources and 10 percent reduction from the state.

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .