After a delayed vote, the Prince Edward Board of Supervisors made a decision about landscaping work around the county courthouse. The board decided to move forward with a new design plan — one not offered by the design firm the county hired.

During its Tuesday night meeting the board considered two plans made by Lynchburg-based design firm, Land Tech. A Land Tech representative attended the board’s June 14 meeting to present alterations to the courthouse shrubbery and sidewalks. However, because of a pending report from the board’s security committee, supervisors agreed to delay their decision at that time.

County Administrator Wade Bartlett emphasized the importance of making a decision soon if the board wants to see the project completed before the Oct. 3 vice presidential debate.

During a discussion of the matter, supervisors C.R “Bob” Timmons Jr. and Howard Simpson suggested alternative plans for the courthouse.

Simpson, board chairman and Farmville supervisor, suggested the board use a plan he submitted several years ago.

His plan, he said, included taking out the current bricks in the main walkway, putting down a concrete slab and then replacing the current bricks. On the walkways going around to the left and right of the main walkway, Simpson said town bricks could be laid around the preexisting bricks.

“Get someone to do the shrubbery and do the yard work that needs to be done,” Simpson said. 

According to Bartlett this project was priced, several years ago, at $20,000.

Farmville District  701 Supervisor Jim Wilck said it would be “a lot of money to spend if there’s a possibility there won’t be an entrance there,” referring to the main front entrance, due to security concerns.

Leigh District Supervisor Jerry R. Townsend, however, said he didn’t think courthouse security will affect the front of the courthouse.

Timmons suggested the board vote on a temporary fix. He said they could pay for the walkways to be powerwashed and to replace plants and sod as suggested by Land Tech. He also suggested, once the flow of traffic is determined, the board can come back and re-vote on the best way to landscape the courthouse lawn.

After deliberation on the monuments on the lawn, board members agreed they do not need to be moved, despite Land Tech’s plans.

“When we put them there, we put them there for a reason because that was the best place to suit the courthouse,” Simpson said.

The board voted unanimously, at Simpson’s motion, to move forward with Simpson’s plan.

According to Bartlett, the next step is collecting bids for the landscaping from which to pick a vendor.