Citing an anticipated revenue shortfall in the current fiscal year budget, the Tappahannock Town Council has approved a December 8 public hearing date to address the deficit.
During its November 10 meeting, Council was informed by Town Manager Steve Wright that the reve- nue shortage is anticipated to be around $385,000.
Wright said the deficit is driven by shortfalls in the local bank stock tax ($195,000) and Perdue Farms not utilizing the former airport’s runway for storage ($72,000).
“We have looked at expenditures and reduced them accordingly,” Wright informed formed Council.
The December hearing will be for a budget amendment, Wright reported.
It was previously noted that the town’s fund balance would be utilized to address the shortfall as deemed necessary.
Also last week, the Council gave approval for Wright to apply for funding through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grant to address flooding issues at the Rappahannock River Park along Newbill Drive.
The funding is awarded by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation on a 90-10 percent basis.
Assistant Town Manager James Knighton told Council that potential solutions include raising Newbill Drive and shoreline improvements at the river.
“We definitely need to raise Newbill Drive to prevent the flooding that occurs there,” said Knighton, who added that research indicates Newbill
Drive should be raised by 2.5 feet.
Knighton also briefly touched on improvements that are ongoing at Central Park which is located between Virginia Street and Earl Street.
The $1.5 million second phase includes the installation of concrete sidewalks, two picnic pavilions measuring 16-feet-by-20 feet, and restroom facilities that will feature one dedicated to families, one to women and one to men.
He said paving has been done at Virginia Street and the surface there is much improved.
“I anticipate this will be completed ahead of schedule,” Knighton predicted.
The project has been slated for completion by January 2026.
Also last week, the Council also heard from Historic Downtown Tappahannock (HDT) President Jovita Kelly.
She reported that HDT has been approved through the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership to bring aboard a student intern. She also encouraged Council to enter a float in the upcoming 50th Annual Christmas Parade that will be held on December 6.
Moreover, Kelly reported that the Christmas Mother program is in need of about 70 more sponsors to meet requests to assist around 300 children. She said the program typically services 200- 225.
Kelly is the 2025 Essex County Chritmas Mother. That program is operated by a committee of Essex Churches Together.
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