Louisa County adopts FY25 budget, pulls funding for Piedmont Virginia Community College

There were very few surprises this spring in Louisa County as the seven member Board of Supervisors worked through a $156.2 million operating budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

But shortly before they adopted the revenue and expenditure plan on Monday, Supervisor Toni Williams of the Jackson District made a motion to strip $5,859 in funding for Piedmont Virginia Community College.

“In light of some things that are going on at PVCC I’d like to have that line item removed for now,” Williams said. 

PVCC is one of dozens of outside agencies funded by Louisa County. To explain, Williams asked Assistant County Administrator Chris Coon to read a prepared resolution.

“It has come to the Board’s attention that PVCC recently hosted a film screening presented by Students for Justice in Palestine and whereas anti-Semitism remains a serious concern on a worldwide basis, and the Board of Supervisors condemns and discrimination in the strongest terms, and whereas public funds should not support platforms for anti-Semitism or discrimination, now therefore be it resolved that on this 29th day of April, 2024, that the Louisa County Board of Supervisors hereby resolves to suspend funding for PVCC in Fiscal Year 2025 pending an in-person explanation by PVCC and the college’s stance on discrimination and anti-semitism,” Coon read. 

The film screening was held on April 19 according to the Instagram page for Students for Justice in Palestine.

“Israelism is a film that came out in [the] last year by two first-time Jewish filmmakers who center the stories of other young members of the Jewish community who are pushing back against the narratives they have been fed and are demanding freedom for the Palestinian people,” reads the Instagram post. 

The action by the Louisa Board of Supervisors came four weeks after Charlottesville City Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict where Israel has engaged in military in areas identified as Palestine. That approval only came after a previous voted failed when a majority felt that Council should only focus on matters they could directly control.

Piedmont Virginia Community College is governed by a board that met on May 1. On that same day, PVCC also issued a statement:

“We regret the decision by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors to withdraw funding from Piedmont Virginia Community College, pending an in-person explanation. PVCC has served the community since 1972 benefitting hundreds of thousands of students who rely upon the College’s affordable, accessible programs to support their career development. We ask that the Board reconsider their decision, as the College plays a crucial role in supporting the community. PVCC is committed to fostering a safe environment for freedom of expression. Like the Board, the College condemns any discrimination in the strongest terms.”

Note that neither the Louisa County resolution or the PVCC statement mention the name of the source material that is the subject of both.

The documentary was released last year and more information is available on the film’s website. The film has won numerous awards including the audience award at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. 

Supervisors adopted the resolution related to PVCC and then approved the operating and maintenance budget with no further discussion. 

Just before the vote on the budget, the Board also adopted a resolution to keep tax rates the same including a real estate tax rate of $0.72 cents per $100 of assessed value. 

Supervisors also adopted a capital budget of $81,142,859, though some of that funding will be transferred to the current fiscal year so that work on renovations to Louisa County Middle School can begin this summer. 

This is the second time this year that a local elected body has pulled funding from an institution of higher education to send a political statement.

Earlier this year, Charlottesville City Council pulled $12,000 from funding that had been recommended for the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia due to a concern that UVA has enough money to support activities there without city funding. (read that story)

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