One local official is tired of the county covering for state budget shortfalls.Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine recently cut a previously promised two percent salary increase for county employees whose salaries are partly paid for by the state. 

Officials may dip into the county’s “rainy day” fund to cover cuts in state money. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine released a laundry list of items this month to be cut from the state’s current budget. Items on the chopping block include a previously promised two percent salary increase for county employees whose salaries are partly paid for by the state. Madison County’s current budget includes the previously expected Dec. 1 salary increases for these employees, which covers some positions in the offices of the sheriff, treasurer, social services, commissioner of revenue and others, according to officials.

Even a light rain often leaves the walk in front of Miss Pattie’s House antique store full of water. The 70-year-old sidewalk at 203 S. Main St. in downtown Madison includes only a small water drain, which is regularly covered by fallen leaves or other debris, according to the store’s owner. Water frequently collects in front of his store, sometimes flooding his basement, he said.

After paying local taxes as usual this December, Madison County residents may receive another tax bill in the mail this coming spring. Officials are preparing for some upcoming changes to the way they collect taxes – including billing residents for half of their typical tax bill once in June and once in December. (This December, residents will pay their full tax bill amount as in the past.)

Madison County officials discussed the cost, size and current status of the county’s Hoover Ridge athletic fields project at a meeting Tuesday night. 

It’s been almost six months since the Hoover Ridge athletic fields project was completed and yet the fields are barely green. Madison County officials are currently working to create “a plan of attack” to promote grass growth on the 11 new fields set on the county-owned property near Madison Primary School. 

Recently, the county administration has reorganized the management and operation of its animal control and animal shelter services. We’d like to take this opportunity to inform county citizens about the organizational structure for those services.

If you’re thinking about rezoning your property – think again. As of July 1, it now costs Madison County property owners at least $2,000 to rezone a piece of land – five times greater than the county’s previous $400 flat rate fee.