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.

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.

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.)

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.