More than turkeys are getting stuffed this time of year. Many Madison County mailboxes are chock-full of multiple tax bill envelopes. Despite local officials’ plans to send out real estate and personal property tax bills together in one envelope – this didn’t happen. Unfortunately, a company hired to send out the bills mistakenly sent out each bill within a separate envelope, according to Treasurer Stephanie Murray. (Tax payments are due by the close of business Friday, Dec. 5.)

The recent economic downturn is forcing officials to rethink their future school building improvement plans. Since the school system first started looking at possible building renovation and construction possibilities, the economy has taken a turn for the worst.

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. 

Would you like to see bike lanes in Madison County? Or more carpooling opportunities to improve your daily commute? Officials are reaching out to area residents to find out how they feel their travel within the county and the surrounding area could be improved.

In coming years, Madison County’s middle school may call Hoover Ridge home. Madison County Public Schools officials are working to develop a timeline for future school construction and renovation projects – including building a new middle school. 

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.

The blanket of bright green that has covered Madison County throughout the summer is giving way to shades of red, orange and yellow. “What I’m hearing and seeing is that fall color will be good this year,” said Madison County Extension Agent Adam Downing. 

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. 

Since 1950, Madison County has lost about 735 acres of working farmland every year, according to a county-appointed committee report. The county’s forests are also diminishing – with more than 20,000 acres lost to development in the past 24 years, the report states. The group – made up of local residents chosen by the board of supervisors – has spent the past year developing a local “purchase of development rights” program in an attempt to stop this trend. 

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.