NEW KENT — New Kent County plans to spend almost $190,000 on improving its administration building for people with disabilities to avert the potential loss of state Department of Motor Vehicle Select services to the public.
The Board of Supervisors voted at a Aug. 22 work session to take the money from a capital fund balance because the item was not included in the budget.
“Last year we were notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles that all localities that have DMV Select facilities were required to do an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assessment of those buildings where DMV Select facilities are located,” County Administrator Rodney Hathaway told the board.
“Whatever was found that was not compliant had to be addressed. The goal is that these items need to be addressed by the end of this year,” he said.
Hathaway said the DMV warned it may not renew its contract for DMV Select services at buildings that are not ADA accessible. New Kent’s contract is due for renewal at the end of the year.
An assessment found areas items at the administrative building that were out of ADA compliance including the parking area, the wheelchair ramp, the customer service counter at the DMV Select office and the bathroom facilities.
The county’s consultants estimated that the work could cost about $250,000.
The county accepted a bid from Zandler Development Co. from Gloucester County. The contract calls for improvements to be done for $188,150, which will come out of the capital fund balance.
Hathaway said he wants the handicapped ramp to be built in time for the tax season.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
