Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

Recognitions

• The Board recognized the County’s October Employee of the Month, James Lyttle, Scale House Operator, with the County’s Department of Solid Waste.Mr. Lyttle has been a valued member of the Solid Waste Department since 2001.Daily, Mr. Lyttle shows dedication, dependability, and a commitment to keeping landfill truck and scale house operations running smoothly.

Business Partner Update

• The Board received an update from Sekou Abdus-Sabur, Owner/Operator of 5 Pillar Meats, which held its grand opening in September in the County Business Park.

Solid Waste Updates

• The Board approved a $45,000 fee proposal from LaBella for the state-mandated, five-year update of the County Solid Waste Management Plan, which is due in January 2027.
• The Board voted to continue to try to sell the pine logs at the landfill.
• The Board approved the purchase of the new compactor in the amount of $35,348.10, for the Worsham Convenience Site.

Economic Development Update

• The Board received a department update from Chelsey White, Director of Economic Development & Tourism.

Public Hearing – Budget Amendments

• Following a public hearing, the Board approved a Special Use Permit for Arcola Towers to construct a 197’ self-supporting communications tower on land denoted as Tax Map Parcel 023B-2-2, located at 85 SMI Way, Farmville, VA.

Citizen Volunteer Appointments

· The Board approved the appointment of John Hrubos to the County’s Local Board of Building Code Appeals and authorized advertising positions on the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

FY 27 Budget Schedule

· The Board approved the budget development schedule for Fiscal Year 2027 County and School Budget.

Finance & Human Resources Report

• Approved FY 26 VFD & EMS Levy carryover funds of $533,328.89 and $366,914.79, respectively.
• Approved a $1,000 appropriation for the Sheriff for Animal Care Donations.
• Approved a $75,000 Tobacco Commission Grant appropriation for 5 Pillar Meats.
• Approved a $88,100 Tobacco Commission Grant reimbursement to the IDA.

County Administrator’s Report

· County YouTube Channel – The County’s YouTube Channel address has changed to @PrinceEdward1754 to differentiate us from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

· Land Use Taxation – The Commissioner of the Revenue will be using State Land Evaluation Advisory Council (SLEAC) values this year for the land use program. SLEAC values are developed though Virginia Tech. This year will see agricultural properties in the program drop from a value of $700 per acre to $400 per acre. The value of properties in the program will drop from $9,910,544 to $5,662,168. This will reduce the amount of real estate tax collected by approximately $15,000 in 2025.

· Landfill – County Finance and Solid Waste staffs implemented a new software program at the landfill on October 1^st to collect tipping fees (via credit card) from customers who do not have an established pre-approved credit application. This should cut down on lost revenue from uncollectable tipping fees and will be more convenient for customers. This new payment process was published in the newspaper, mailed to all current landfill account holders, posted on the County website and on County Facebook, and placed on a message board at the entrance to the landfill.

· E-911 Dispatch – Effective October 1, the 911 Center (Farmville-Prince Edward Emergency Communications Center) was officially consolidated and now functions under the authority of both the County and the Town and with the assistance of an Advisory Board.

· E-911 Dispatch – Staff was notified last week that the new communications center received a $900,000 state grant to upgrade and expand the dispatch center. Congratulations to Crystal Barton and Trey Pyle for their efforts on the project.

· Emergency Radio System – The County received word that Dominion has approved the use of their tower at Milnwood/3^rd Street for use by the County. Staff is now working on draft lease agreements for all three sites (Dominion, Leigh Mtn, Verizon) and should have these wrapped up this fall.

· VDOT/Rural Rustic Projects – VDOT is wrapping up work on the Rice Creek, Junction Canal, and Quail Crossing road projects. The County Administrator was able to ride the projects with Scott Frederick, VDOT Resident Engineer, last week. Junction Canal and Rice Creek projects were complete, and they were finishing up the Quail Crossing project.

· Worsham Convenience Site – Contractor has placed fill to bring the site up to grade, poured the retaining walls for the grade-separated drop-off, and has started pouring the concrete dumpster pads. Project remains on budget and on schedule.

· Tobacco Commission – The County Administrator and Director of Economic Development attended the Tobacco Commission Southern Region Grants Committee Meeting on September 23^rd at the Virginia International Raceway near Danville. They were present to answer questions on the County’s $74,800 trailblazer signage project. The Committee recommended approval of the request to the full Commission which was approved on September 24^th.

· Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) – Last month the County received news that we have been awarded a $135,069.73 grant to purchase our SCBA mobile air trailers for our volunteer fire departments. This project was the 2^nd ranked project on the County’s 2025-2027 CIP. We previously received a $14,000 grant for the project from the Office of Fire Programs. This funding will allow us to proceed with ordering the trailer.

· Route 15 RR Bridge – VDOT has restricted traffic on Route 15 near County Line Road to one-lane due to a large pothole/exposed rebar until further notice. They have placed a temporary stoplight to manage traffic.

· General Services Projects:

• Seal coat and stripe courthouse parking lot – Project completed
• Commissioner of the Revenue Flooring – Project should be completed in the next several weeks
• Courthouse floor waxing – Project will be completed over several weekends in October

· Upcoming BOS Engagement Opportunities – Upcoming opportunities within the community for BOS engagement include:

- Leigh District Town Hall Meeting @ Meherrin Fire Department – 10/23 6:00 PM

Upcoming County Events:

- 2025 Hazardous Material Collection Day – Household Hazardous Waste will be collected from citizens on November 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the back Courthouse Parking Lot.

- Purple Heart County – The Board will hold a special meeting on November 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Prince Edward County Courthouse to honor Veterans and Purple Heart recipients in Prince Edward County.

Additional Table Pack Items

• Fire Department Air Trailer – The Board approved the purchase of an SCBA Air Trailer for use by the County’s seven volunteer fire departments.The total cost is $157,679.23, of which funding from FEMA and Fire Programs grants paid $149,069.73, with the balance of $8,609.50 paid by the County.
• The Board approved County Attorney invoices for May, June and July of 2025.