As the programming team approached building the 2021-22 season at the Walton Arts Center with cautious optimism, the first priority on their minds was previous artist commitments. How many pre-pandemic bookings could be honored as things begin to reopen? Travel restrictions, particularly international, have prevented some rebookings, but Executive Producer and Vice President of Programming Scott Galbraith admits the staff are otherwise thrilled with how many contracts were reissued.
ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Acansa Arts Festival announces schedule
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Region 2000 Services Authority to pursue flat rates in budget, gas-to-energy project takes next steps
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The Region 2000 Services Authority on Wednesday heard its proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, which contains a tipping fee increase for the regional landfill at both the member and market rates.
The proposed $7.2 million budget is a 2.73% increase over fiscal year 2021, and also includes a 3% merit-based salary increase for authority employees.
Authority Director Clarke Gibson said the tipping fee has not increased in several years, but staff has known for a while the authority would incrementally begin increasing the fee through fiscal year 2031, when the landfill is projected to reach capacity.
According to the latest staff estimations, the tipping fee will cap at about $35 for members, and $36 at the market rate by the time the landfill reaches capacity.
A dispute over $2.5 million in undistributed Region 2000 Services Authority funds will be handled in court after authority members gave Region 2000 staff the greenlight to hire an attorney in response to the pending excess revenue litigation.
The authority is made up of four member localities, each represented by leadership from the counties of Appomattox, Campbell and Nelson, plus the city of Lynchburg. Together, they operate the regional landfill on Livestock Road on behalf of its members.
Through the lawsuit, Campbell and Lynchburg are seeking a judgment regarding the meaning and usage of âexcess revenueâ as it pertains to the authorityâs original member use agreement adopted in 2008. The differences in interpretation of this phrase have halted millions in funds from being distributed to the two localities.