Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

Recognitions

• The Board recognized the County’s September Employee of the Month, Heather Draper, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Revenue.Ms. Draper has been a valued member of the Commissioner’s Office for five years and was just recently promoted to Chief Deputy.She continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication and is celebrated for her kindness, patience and willingness to help others.

2025 VACo Achievement Award

• The Board was presented its third, consecutive, VACo Achievement Award.This year’s award is for the innovative partnership with Longwood University’s Civitae Symposium, which garnered feedback from hundreds of students on challenges facing the County, which was incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.Joining the Board for the presentation were University President Taylor Reveley, Chief of Staff Justin Pope, Dr. Larissa Smith, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, Professor Adam Paulek and Professor Heather Lettner-Rust..The award was presented by James Hutzler, Government Relations Associate with VACo.

Virginia Department of Forestry

• Kirby Woolfolk, Forest Manager, provided an update on the Prince Edward-Galleon State Forest and presented the Board a check in the amount of $48,806 for the County’s share of state forest timber sales.

Community Partner Updates

• The Board received an update from Sharon Stitler, V.P. Operations with the Southside Virginia Family YMCA.

Virginia Department of Transportation

• Scott Frederick, PE, updated the Board on VDOT road projects and received maintenance concerns.Rustic projects on Junction Canal, Rice Creek and Quail Crossing Roads are expected to be completed this fall.

Public Hearing – Budget Amendments

• Following a public hearing, the Board approved amendments to the FY 26 County Budget and the FY 26 School Budget totaling $34,585,521.26, which included $929,812.26 of private, federal, and state carry-over funding and $33,655,709 of School Construction Assistance Program and Literary Loan funding for the elementary school renovation.

2025 Personal Property Tax Relief (PPTRA)

• The Board approved setting the 2025 PPTRA rate at 25.75%.

Opioid Settlement Resolution

• The Board approved a resolution which affirms the County’s participation in the proposed settlement of opioid related claims against Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indovior, Mylan, Sun and Zydus.

2025 Hazardous Material Collection Day

• The Board approved a purchase order quote in the amount of $22,834 for Clean Harbors to mobilize and dispose of Household Hazardous Waste that will be collected from citizens on November 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the back Courthouse Parking Lot.

Finance & Human Resources Report

• Approved FY 26 carryover appropriation of $560,005 of ALL in Virginia Grant for Schools.
• Approved a $300,000 appropriation of Scholl Base Mental Health Grant fund for Schools.
• Approved $22,016.23 of Opioid Settlement Trust Funds for opioid remediation.
• Approved and appropriation FY 25 Committed Funds Transfers of $1,913,605.34 to various budget line items.
• Approved FY 25 carryover to FY 26 of $69,115.18 to various budget line items.

County Administrator’s Report

• BZA Training – A training session is set for the Board of Zoning Appeals on September 15th through the Land Use Education Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Strategic Plan – The Board will hold strategic planning session on Thursday, January 8th (12:00-6:00 pm), Thursday, January 29th (12:30-6:00 pm) and Friday, January 30th (8:30 am - 12:00 pm).
• 3rd Street/Milnwood Intersection – VDOT will be holding a community meeting on the proposed improvements to this intersection.VDOT is evaluating improvements including turn lanes and/or a roundabout.Although located in town, the intersection serves HIT Park and the traffic coming off the 460 interchange in the County.The meeting has been set for the evening of October 9th at Moton 5:30-7:00.
• PEVRS Coverage – The County has reached an agreement with PEVRS to place one of their two daytime EMS units in Prospect for a 90-day trial period to gauge impact on response times to the system.Starting September 15th, they will provide 10.5 hours of staffing coverage seven days a week (0800 to 1830 hours).The goal is to improve response times in the Prospect/Darlington Heights areas of the County while not impacting response times to other area of the County including the Town of Farmville when dispatch receives multiple calls.
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs Grant – The County submitted a $99,773.37 grant for PPE on behalf of Hampden-Sydney, Prospect, Darlington Heights, and Rice Fire Department.This is a 100% funded non matching grant for PPE. If awarded the grant will pay for 23 sets of turnout gear.
• General Services Projects:
  • Seal coat and stripe courthouse parking lot is completed.Still need to letter spaces for church parking.
  • Staff completed improvements including adding a slide, storage building, fencing, adding bleachers, and a new storage building at VIRSO Park
• Upcoming BOS Engagement Opportunities:
  • Chamber New Teacher Welcome @ Moton – 9/10 at 5:30 PM
  • Ribbon Cutting of Five Pillars Meats (State Representatives Present) – 9/12 at 11:00 AM
  • Grand Opening of Five Pillars Meats – 9/13 at 8:00 AM
  • Hampden District Town Hall Meeting @ H-S Volunteer Fire Department – 9/23 at 6:00 PM

Worsham Convenience Site - Lighting

• The Board approved a quote from Creative Electrical for a not to exceed amount of $58,000 for the installation of lighting at the renovated Worsham Convenience Site.The bid price for the additive alternate for lighting was not accepted in the project bid package due to cost.