Broadband Update

On Tuesday evening the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with RiverStreet Networks to develop the engineering design plan for a countywide fiber optic network with the intentions of making high speed broadband service available to every household in New Kent County. The engineering process will cost approximately $80,000 and is expected to take 3-5 months with the goal being the County moving forward with construction after the design plan is complete. RiverStreet Networks is a technology brand in North Carolina and Virginia that consists of several companies and is committed to continuing the trend of providing access to high speed Internet in rural America by branching out to the underserved and unserved rural areas of North Carolina and Virginia.

This is one of the many options that NKC is exploring considering broadband. The County has also recently applied for a $4.5 million Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant, which requires localities to submit a joint application with a service provider - in our case Cox Communications is our only current provider option. A local government cannot receive VATI funds without proposing a partnership with a service provider. County Administration expects to hear whether this grant will be received around the end of November. The VATI application is to kickoff a process that will, again, eventually serve the entire County – this time under Cox’s phased expansion plan.

As stated at Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Supervisors is appreciative of the County’s Broadband Advisory Committee, their work, their recommendations, and their completed task of developing a plan for the community to move forward on this important issue. Now that we have a strategic broadband plan to implement, we are moving forward with contract negotiations with engineering firms, consultants and contractors.

Stay tuned to the County’s social media and broadband webpage (http://www.co.new-kent.va.us/688/Broadband) for more information, as it becomes available.

County Taxes Due Dec. 7, 2020

County real estate and personal property taxes are due December 7, 2020. Several payment options are available:

Online: Taxpayers are encouraged to pay online at www.NewKentTax.com
*New* E-Check option available at no additional fee

In Person: Treasurer’s Office is open the following hours:
Monday-Friday 8:15 AM – 4:15 PM
12007 Courthouse Circle – New Kent, VA 23124
*COVID-19 -Building requires face coverings and a brief temperature screening to enter*
Credit/debit card payments require a 2% service charge for all online and in person card payments

Mail: New Kent Treasurer’s Office – PO Box 109 – New Kent VA 23124

Drop Box: Payments can be placed in the payment drop box located in the parking lot of the Administration Building.

C&F Bank: Payments can be made at local Citizens and Farmers Bank Branches:
Quinton/Bottoms Bridge, Providence Forge, West Point (14^th St.), Norge
Payments made at C&F Bank must be for the exact amount printed on the bill
No changes to the bill can be made at the Bank

Phone: Official Payments 1-888-272-9829 or officialpayments.com (online)
Use jurisdiction code 1017 – service fees apply.

Registration fee charges are assessed on any car, truck, trailer, motor home or motorcycle registered with DMV in New Kent County on January 1.

Real estate taxes are billed to the owner of record on January 1. If you purchased the property after January 1^st and are responsible for the taxes, please contact the prior owner, closing attorney or title agent who performed your real estate closing.
You may obtain a copy of your receipt at www.NewKentTax.com under Inquiry. Options or include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mailed in payment.
The Treasurer’s Office is responsible for the collection of all payments.
For billing/collections questions call 804-966-9615.
The Commissioner of the Revenue is responsible for all property assessments (values on your bill). For real estate assessment questions call 804-966-9611. For personal property assessment questions call 804-966-9610.

Farmers Market open until Oct. 31; Holiday Market scheduled for Nov. 14

Join us for social distanced, on-site shopping at the New Kent Farmers Market for the next three Saturdays (October 17, 24, 31) and then on November 14 for the second annual Holiday Market.

Come support local vendors and their varieties of Virginia eggs, honey, meats, baked goods, roasted coffee, plants and flowers, crafts and non-food items (including soaps, personal care products). All are locally produced. Let's finish the season out strong!

The Holiday Market on November 14 features over 15 local vendors who can't wait to help you make the perfect gift selections for those you love.

The location and time for these events is New Kent High School from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information or to see a list of Vendors at the Market this Week, visit www.newkentfarmersmarket.com.

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