By Matt de Simone
County to participate in SCC review of Aqua Virginia rate proposal
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Nov. 24 to intervene in Aqua Virginia’s latest request before the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), after County Attorney Mike Lockaby warned that the company’s proposed rate hike could raise monthly water bills for many residents by more than one-third.
Aqua Virginia, Inc., which operates groundwater-fed neighborhood systems serving roughly 6,500 customers in the Blue Ridge and Valley Magisterial Districts, has filed for a 26.42% revenue increase. But due to proposed shifts in the rate structure, Lockaby said the impact on residential customers could possibly exceed a 33% increase in monthly bills.
Before outlining the details, Lockaby prefaced his remarks with a candid admission noting, “It’s my pleasure, except it’s really not—it’s never a good thing when I’m telling you that I think it would be a good idea for us to intervene in a proceeding at the State Corporation Commission relating to water rates.”
Calling the increase “exorbitant,” Lockaby also addressed public speculation—including a recent segment on local television—that the hike was tied to the proposed Google data center at the Greenfield industrial park. “For what it’s worth, [Aqua] doesn’t serve any data centers, so this doesn’t have to do with data centers,” he said, aiming to quiet the rumor mill.
Dr. Mac Scothorn, Valley District supervisor and the board’s vice chair, noted that repeated rate-hike attempts have become a familiar cycle. “Every two years this has a tendency for Aqua to [increase rates]. It’s been 10% every single time and we have fought this for many, many years,” he said. “I know for a fact that none of the things they want to do are being done here in Botetourt… It’s just frustrating getting double digits every single time.”
Lockaby recalled that during the last rate case, Aqua initially sought a 26% increase, but negotiations brought it down to about 17%, “which wasn’t wonderful, but I think we moved the needle,” he said. “As a county against a multi-billion-dollar national corporation, that’s probably the best we can do, but I feel like we should do it.”
Although Botetourt does not have the resources to conduct its own full-scale financial analysis of Aqua’s filing, Lockaby said staff identified several areas with significant potential impact on county customers. By intervening, the county can submit targeted evidence, including concerns relating to the company’s cost of capital. Botetourt will also join other intervening entities in the litigation.
The SCC will consider evidence from Aqua, SCC staff, intervenors, and citizens as the case moves forward.
Supervisors approve 2026 Legislative Priorities Program
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Nov. 24 to adopt its 2026 Legislative Program, following a brief presentation by Deputy County Administrator David Moorman. Moorman told board members the updated priorities largely build on the county’s 2025 program and asked whether any changes were needed or if the board wished to approve the document as presented. After no revisions were requested, the board unanimously adopted the program following a brief discussion.
According to the agenda packet, the 2026 Legislative Program outlines the county’s policy goals for the upcoming year and reaffirms its focus on “advancing policies that support our community’s growth, sustainability, and quality of life.” The priorities span education funding, children’s services, public safety, infrastructure, natural resource protection, economic development, and the county’s long-held opposition to unfunded mandates.
Education remains a central issue in the legislative platform. The county supports full state funding for the Standards of Quality as recommended by state-level oversight bodies, along with sustained investments in school construction, renovation, and debt service. The program also emphasizes expanding career and technical education, introducing workforce-ready curriculum in earlier grades, and awarding academic credit for internships, apprenticeships, and industry certifications.
The Children’s Services Act section calls for equitable state-local cost sharing for residential treatment placements and opposes any effort to limit the state’s financial responsibilities for mandated special education and foster care services. The county also supports additional state help in contracting for CSA services so that localities can negotiate more effectively with private providers.
Public safety is also high on the list, with Botetourt supporting increases to “599” aid for law enforcement and additional state funding for local emergency services, including Fire and EMS, jail operations, courtroom security, equipment, protective gear, and facilities.
On infrastructure, the program highlights the need for expanded affordable childcare options, improved statewide transportation funding, and restoration of transportation dollars previously redirected to cover Metro’s dedicated funding solution. The county also continues to advocate for key regional projects, including major improvements at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport— particularly expansion of the north-south runway over I-581 and terminal upgrades outlined in the airport’s master plan.
Economic development priorities include increased and sustained funding for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, regional development organizations, and state programs that support job creation and site readiness. The county also backs policies that support renewable energy development so long as local land-use authority is preserved.
Botetourt’s legislative program also emphasizes cybersecurity needs, calling for federal and state funding to bolster local government information systems and compliance with modern security standards.
Amsterdam District Supervisor Steve Clinton was “happy” to read the inclusion of the need for infrastructure investments to allow for growth in air service at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport. In the document, the county encourages the General Assembly to secure funding to expand the north-south runway over I-581 and to make other terminal improvements identified in the airport’s current master plan.
“In my opinion, that (airport upgrades) is an exceedingly important priority for the valley,” Clinton said. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done there in terms of the runways, the air side, and the land side of that facility. We’re going to fall behind as a valley if we don’t upgrade our air service.”
Natural resource protection remains a growing area of focus. The county supports investments in climate resiliency and the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund, along with new measures to curb tire dumping in rivers and streams. This includes advocating for feasibility studies on Extended Producer Responsibility programs, which have shown promise in other regions. Additional state support for local tire amnesty events and for dam repairs— without infringing on private property rights— is also included.
As in previous years, the county reiterates its strong opposition to unfunded mandates. The program urges the General Assembly to cover the full costs of required programs before imposing them on localities and requests more funding for constitutional officers and local registrars’ offices, especially in light of new election-related requirements.
Other priorities include full funding for public libraries, preserving local autonomy in land-use decisions, opposing mandated collective bargaining for local public employees, and supporting the elimination of twice-yearly time changes in favor of year-round Eastern Standard Time. The program also calls for continued refinement of state subdivision and site-plan approval procedures to avoid unintended consequences created by recent legislative changes, and it reinforces the county’s authority to regulate short-term rentals and home-based businesses.
The document concludes by stating that the 2026 priorities “reflect our dedication to fostering a thriving community while balancing progress with respect to the integrity of the county and its citizens.”
