Oct 01, 2024 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting 10-1-2024

[I. 4:00 PM - Call to Order]

[00:00:27]

UH, TO BEGIN, WE WILL HEAR OUR INVOCATION, UH, BY PASTOR DAVE NELSON OF SMYRNA BAPTIST CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, LED BY VICE CHAIRMAN TOM WINFREY.

PLEASE STAND AS YOU WERE ABLE.

[II. Invocation]

AND WE DON'T HAVE THE POWER THAT WE OFTEN THINK WE DO, BUT WE'RE GLAD TO DEFER THAT TO YOU.

AND OUR PRAYER WOULD BE THAT TODAY YOU WOULD GRANT US THE HUMILITY TO WALK BEFORE YOU.

IN TRUTH, WE PRAY THAT YOU'LL GIVE US A SENSE OF YOUR PRESENCE.

AND WE REALLY PRAY THAT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING SO MUCH DOWN SOUTH, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE MANY PLACES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE LOST HOMES, EVERYTHING LOST EVERYTHING.

AND HERE WE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER AS A BOARD SUPERVISORS SUPERVISING THINGS THAT ARE STILL HERE.

AND FOR THAT, WE GIVE YOU THANKS.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR THESE LEADERS WHO WANT TO CALL ON YOU IN PRAYER, WHO KNOW THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS RIGHT OFF THE TOPS OF THEIR HEADS, BUT THAT WE AC WE COME TO YOU SEEKING YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

AND WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL BLESS IN THE COURSE OF THIS MEETING TODAY, THOSE WHO ARE BRINGING ISSUES BEFORE THE BOARD AND THE BOARD AS THEY HEAR THEM, SHOW THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD DO.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

AND WE PRAY THIS REALLY IN THE ONLY NAME, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN.

AMEN.

THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

[III. Pledge of Allegiance]

THANK YOU, PASTOR NELSON.

[IV. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month]

MS. UH, BI WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION WHILE MS. ANDREA HONAN AND HEATHER SALMAN OF GLING CARES COME TO THE, UH, PODIUM.

WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PATTERN OF ABUSIVE AND COERCIVE BEHAVIORS USED BY ONE INDIVIDUAL INTENDED TO EXERT POWER AND CONTROL OVER ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IN THE CONTEXT OF AN INTIMATE OR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP.

AND WHEREAS ABUSIVE BEHAVIORS MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PHYSICAL ASSAULTS, VERBAL ASSAULTS, THREATS, INTIMIDATION, EMOTIONAL ABUSE, USE OF WEAPONS, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, VIOLENCE TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE OR PETS, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND CONTROL OVER ECONOMIC RESOURCES.

AND WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AN INTOLERABLE VIOLENT CRIME WITH PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR EVERY PERSON IN GLAND COUNTY, WHETHER A VICTIM SURVIVOR, A FAMILY MEMBER, SIGNIFICANT OTHER NEIGHBOR, EMPLOYER, OR COWORKER OF A VICTIM SURVIVOR.

AND WHEREAS NO ONE PERSON, ORGANIZATION, AGENCY, OR COMMUNITY CAN ELIMINATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THEIR OWN, WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO EDUCATE OUR ENTIRE POPULATION ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT SUCH VIOLENCE, SUPPORT VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AGENCIES PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

AND WHEREAS GLAND CARES, A COMPREHENSIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM PROVIDED 74 SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN 2023 BY PROVIDING 24 HOUR HOTLINE SERVICES, FACILITATING SAFETY PLANS, PROVIDING SHELTER SERVICES, OFFERING SUPPORT AND INFORMATION, PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND COUNSELING, ADVOCATING FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS SEEKING PROTECTIVE

[00:05:01]

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE GLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN GLAND COUNTY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GREAT.

OH, SORRY.

COULD WE, UH, DO I NEED TO CALL IT OR MR. MR. CHAIRMAN, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE, UH, RE PROCLAMATION AS PRESENTED.

SECOND.

THANK YOU.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? VOTE PASSES.

THANK YOU.

THANK, THANK YOU.

DID ANYONE SAY ANYTHING? ANY COMMENTS? JUST THANK EVERYONE.

WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND OUR PARTNERS.

UM, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROGRAM IS NEEDED.

UM, AND WE'RE, I'M SORRY.

OH, I'M SORRY, .

SO THIS PROGRAM IS NEEDED, UNFORTUNATELY, SO WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE IT AND HAVE THE COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH US AND SUPPORT US.

SO, THANKS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GLAND CARES SERVING OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

UM, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CHAIR'S COMMENTS.

UM,

[V. Chair's Comments]

THE FIRST WILL BE DISTRICT FIVE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 6:00 PM AT DOVER BAPTIST CHURCH.

UH, THE SECOND WILL BE FOR DISTRICTS TWO AND THREE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH AT 6:00 PM UH, IN THIS BUILDING IN THIS BOARDROOM.

THE THIRD WILL BE FOR DISTRICT ONE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND AT 6:00 PM IT AT BIRD ELEMENTARY.

AND THE FINAL ONE WILL BE FOR DISTRICT FOUR ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH AT 6:00 PM AT SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH.

UM, I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT, UH, EARLY VOTING HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE AT THE, UH, GLAND SPORTS COMPLEX IMMEDIATELY, UH, OUT THESE BACK DOORS HERE.

UM, AND UM, ALSO I NOTE THAT, UH, WE HAVE THE SAME VOTING PRECINCTS, BUT ALSO A NEW ONE AT AVERY POINT IN DISTRICT FOUR FOR, UH, STARTING WITH THIS ELECTION.

AND, UM, LEMME SEE THEN.

WE, AS A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WE WANT TO SEND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO COMMUNITIES IN GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, AND ALL THOSE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE THIS PAST WEEK.

UM, I WAS UPLIFTED TO HEAR FROM CHIEF EDDIE FERGUSON EARLIER TODAY THAT GLAND COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE HAS FIVE PROFESSIONALS ON THE GROUND, UH, SERVE, UH, HELPING TO ASSIST IN RESCUE AND HU HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS.

UM, WE TAKE PUBLIC SAFETY SERIOUSLY IN GLAND, AND WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO, TO PROTECT OUR GLANDS, BUT ALL OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

UM, ALSO, I WANT TO NOTE THAT, UH, SHERIFF STEVEN CREE WAS RECENTLY ELECTED SECRETARY OF THE VIRGINIA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION, UH, WHICH IS A GREAT HONOR.

AND, UH, AND SO HE IS NOW THIRD IN LEADERSHIP OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

AND FINALLY, UM, CONNECTED TO THE HURRICANE HELENE AFTERMATH.

I WOULD JUST MAKE ALL CITIZENS AWARE OF THE FLOOD THREATS WE HAVE BEING, UH, RIGHT ON THE JAMES RIVER HERE IN GLAND COUNTY.

AND IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS FOR WATERS TO SUBSIDE AS THE, UH, RAINS GIVE WAY AND HO HOPEFULLY TO SUNNY SKIES IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.

SO THOSE ARE THE CHAIR'S COMMENTS FOR THIS MONTH.

I WILL PASS IT ON TO MR. VIC CARPENTER FOR HIS COMMENTS.

MR. CHAIRMAN

[VI. County Administrator's Comments]

UH, SOME DATES I WISH TO REMIND BOTH THE BOARD AND OUR CITIZENS OF FIRST, UM, ON THIS COMING SATURDAY, UM, OCTOBER THE FIFTH, FROM 11 TO TWO, COMPANY FIVE, OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE, UM, UH, ORGANIZATION IS GONNA BE HOLDING AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE NEWLY RENOVATED COMPANY.

FIVE STATION

[00:10:01]

THE ANNUAL FIRE RESCUE EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW IS THE NEXT SATURDAY AT UCHIN HIGH SCHOOL, OCTOBER 12TH FROM FIVE TO NINE.

SO IT'S AN AFTERNOON, EVENING EVENT WITH FIREWORKS, UM, FOLLOWED BY THAT.

THE, UH, UCHIN COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION IS HOSTING A ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH FROM 11 TO TWO.

THE GUCCI SPORTS COMPLEX THAT'S RIGHT BEHIND HERE, UH, THIS COMPLEX, THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM.

SO BRING YOUR FAMILY OUT FOR THAT.

THERE'LL BE COSTUME CONTESTS, LIVE MUSIC VENDORS.

IT'S JUST LIKE FROM A HALLMARK MOVIE, I'M TELLING YOU.

UM, ALSO WANT TO GIVE, UM, AS WELL, UM, AS THE CHAIRMAN HAS INDICATED, UH, ELECTION DAY'S COMING UP COUNTY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER THE FIFTH FOR ELECTION DAY.

SO THE NEXT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS WILL BE WEDNESDAY ON NOVEMBER 6TH, NOT TUESDAY.

SO NEXT MONTH'S MEETING WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THEN FINALLY, IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, OCTOBER 31ST, UH, WE'LL BE HOSTING A TRICK OR TREAT, UH, TRAIL HERE AT THIS BUILDING FROM, UH, THREE 30 TO, UH, FOUR 30.

SO COME COSTUME, UH, WE'LL BE IN COSTUME, HAVING CANDY AND FUN.

IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE THE KIDS COME OUT FOR ALL THAT.

ALSO, AS CHAIR, A FEW ITEMS THAT I WISH TO UPDATE, UH, THE BOARD AND THE CITIZENS ON, UM, SOME MONTHS BACK.

UH, I ANNOUNCED THAT WE WERE PAUSING THE, UH, STATION SEVEN WHILE WE LOOKED FOR OTHER, UM, TO MAKE SURE THE LOCATION WE HAD SELECTED WAS THE RIGHT LOCATION OR IF THERE ARE BETTER LOCATIONS.

AS WE CONTINUE IN THAT PROCESS, WE'VE DETERMINED TO GO AHEAD AND START WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATION EIGHT IN SANDY HOOK.

SO STATION SEVEN, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR THE BEST ALTERNATIVE LOCATION OR IF THAT LOCATION REMAINS THE BEST LOCATION.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE'LL BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS FOR STATION EIGHT AND SANDY HOOK.

ALSO, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, UM, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES WHERE A CITIZEN HAS COME WITH SOME CONCERNS, UM, FOR HUNTING AT THE ROYAL VIRGINIA, UM, COMMUNITY DOES AN UPDATE.

STAFF HAS HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH CONCERNED CITIZENS.

WE'VE COMMUNICATED WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL AS THE HUNTERS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED.

WE'VE MET WITH THE HUNTERS TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION, UH, COMMUNICATING WITH, UH, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES ABOUT THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, WORKING WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE INTENTIONS OF THE PROPERTY OWNER ADJACENT TO THE ESTATES AT ROYAL VIRGINIA.

IT WILL CONTINUE FOLLOWING UP WITH THE AUTHORIZED HUNTERS REGARDING THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS AS WELL AS SCHEDULING AND SHARING DATES, UH, WITH THOSE CITIZENS AND THE HUNTERS TO TRY TO PUT THEM TOGETHER.

AND THEN FINALLY, UH, IN LINE WITH WHAT THE CHAIRMAN IS ALSO MENTIONING ABOUT THE UPCOMING OR ABOUT THE, UH, ABOUT THE DISASTERS AND THE WAY TO RESPOND, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP IN THESE EARLY DAYS FOLLOWING A DISASTER, CASH DONATIONS TO REPUTABLE ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE BEST WAY FOR THOSE IMPACTED TO GET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS MET.

SO THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA'S COORDINATING LOCAL DONATIONS, UH, CASH DONATIONS CAN BE MADE THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, UH, WHICH IS SHARED BY UCHIN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, UH, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT A REPUTABLE CAN BE FOUND@WWW.VIRGINIAVOAD.ORG.

AND WE'LL MAKE THAT AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE AS WELL TO ENCOURAGE YOUR ABILITY TO SUPPORT.

AND THEN, AS THE CHAIRMAN SAID, WE DID SEND FIVE FIRE RESCUE MEMBERS ON MONDAY MORNING EARLY, UH, TO WASHINGTON COUNTY, DAMASCUS, AND MUCH OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA TO PROVIDE SUPPORT.

SO COUNTY OF ONE VOLUNTEER AND FOUR OF OUR CAREER, UM, UH, VETERAN EMPLOYEES ARE THERE RIGHT NOW SHOWING THE, UH, SUPPORT THAT UCHIN COUNTY HAS.

FOUR ARE, UH, DISTRESSED CITIZENS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT'S MY REPORT.

THANK YOU, MR. CARPENTER.

I WILL NOW MOVE ON TO REQUEST POSTPONE AGENDA ITEMS AND DELETIONS,

[VII. Requests to Postpone Agenda Items and Additions, Deletions or Changes in the Order of Presentation]

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT? NO.

OKAY.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL NOW HEAR SOME COMMENTS FROM MS. RENEE TOWNSEND FROM OUR CASA PROGRAM,

[VIII. Citizen Comment]

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

UM, AS MR. BADERS MENTIONED, MY NAME IS RENEE TOWNSEND AND I AM THE DIRECTOR FOR GLAND PALATAN CASSA.

UM, CASSA STANDS FOR COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES.

UM, SO I'M KEEPING TO THE SCRIPT TODAY 'CAUSE I KNOW I HAVE FIVE, FIVE MINUTES.

SO LET ME READ FROM MY SCRIPT.

UM, THANK YOU FOR BEING A LOYAL SUPPORTER OF GLAND PEAN CASA, AND THIS SPEECH IS DIRECTED TO YOU ALL, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN WITHIN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OUR OPENING.

SINCE OUR PROGRAM OPENED IN 2005, WE HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN.

AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT Y'S GENER GENEROSITY GLAND PALATAN CASA

[00:15:01]

IN ADDITION, WE RECEIVE THE IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION FROM YOU FOR THE OFFICE SPACE AND SERVICES FOR WHICH I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR, UM, AS WE RELY ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO KEEP OUR PROGRAM RUNNING.

WE ARE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, AND AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE EXCITED TO NOW BE OFFERING OUR SERVICES IN POWHATAN COUNTY.

EVEN THOUGH THIS EXPANSION HAS EXTENDED OUR NEEDS, OUR TRADITIONAL FUNDING SOURCE CONSISTING OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND THEN Y ALL'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT PROVIDE JUST OVER 60% OF THE FUNDS WE NEED TO OPERATE.

SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PETITIONING PEAN'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO MATCH GLIN COUNTY'S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

OUR CASH OPERATING BUDGET IS ROUGHLY 140,000 AN AMOUNT THAT COVERS THE EXPENSES OF THE NUTS AND THE BOLTS FUNCTIONS NEEDED TO RUN THE ORGANIZATION.

THESE INVOLVE MAINTAINING OUR OFFICE AND TECHNOLOGY SUSTAINING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND REIMBURSING CASA VOLUNTEERS WHO USE THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES TO TRAVEL TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND ATTEND COURT APPEARANCES.

THIS ALSO INCLUDES SALARIES FOR TWO, ONE FULL-TIME PERSON, WHICH IS MYSELF.

AND THEN, UM, WE RECENTLY WERE ABLE TO HIRE A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE, UM, WHO ACTUALLY IS SITTING HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, THIS DEIRDRE V WHO I RECOGNIZE RIGHT HERE.

UM, JUST, WE ARE AN EXCELLENT TEAM AND I JUST HAVE LOVED SHARING THE OFFICE WITH HER SO FAR.

SHE HAS A LITTLE NICHE IN THE THE CORNER OFFICE.

UM, I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE HOSTING OUR FIRST IN SIX YEARS FUNDRAISING EVENT CALLED THE CASA COMMUNITY CHALLENGE.

IT'S SCHEDULED FOR APRIL THE 26TH, 2025, AND OUR HOPE IS TO RAISE THE AMOUNT NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP WITH THIS SHORTFALL AND TO REMAIN A STRONG SELF-SUSTAINING PROGRAM.

SO HOPE TO SHARE SOME MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT FUNDRAISING EVENT IN THE FUTURE.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF GLAND PAITAN CASA BOARD, THE JUVENILE DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT, AND DCJS.

WE WILL UTILIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED BY YOU ALL THE COUNTY OF GLAND WITH RESOURCEFULNESS AND GOOD STEWARDSHIP.

SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AGAIN.

THANK YOU MS. TOWNSEND AND MRS. VAUGHN FOR ALL YOU DO TO, UH, HELP US WITH CASA.

WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO CITIZEN COMMENTS.

UM, EACH SPEAKER MUST, UH, PROVIDE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS.

CITIZENS ARE REMINDED THAT COMMENTS SHOULD BE ABOUT ITEMS NOT COVERED BY THE PUBLIC HEARINGS BEING HELD LATER TONIGHT.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL AND NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES IN LENGTH.

SHOULD MULTIPLE CITIZENS WISH TO HAVE A COMMON SPEAKER, THEY MAY C THEIR TIME IN TWO MINUTE INCREMENTS, UP TO UP TO A TOTAL ALLOTTED TIME OF 10 MINUTES PER BUR, PER BOARD RULES OF PROCEDURES.

SECTION 3.2, A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME INTENDED TO NOT BE MORE THAN AN HOUR IS ALLOCATED FOR CITIZENS COMMENT.

I'LL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN RS, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY STAFF.

LET ME START OFF BY INTRODUCING SKY BRICKHOUSE.

HE IS OUR NEW AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENT FOR VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.

SO, SKY, I'M GONNA LET YOU JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF THERE.

HI, HOW ARE YOU? I'M SKY BRICKHOUSE.

I'M FROM CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

UM, I WENT TO VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR MY UNDERGRAD STUDYING AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CONCENTRATION, THEN PARLAYED TO MY MASTER'S PROGRAM WHERE I STUDIED NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENT.

SO NOW BEING HERE, WORKING IN, UM, THE EXTENSION OFFICE OUT IN, IN GLAND, I'M LOOKING TO PR UH, BRING PROGRAMS THAT IS IN THE REALM OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, AND MITIGATION.

ALSO ASSISTING WITH THE PRO PROMINENT NEEDS HERE IN GLAND COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, AND LOVELY TO MEET YOU ALL.

THANK YOU.

I'LL CONTINUE ON IF I MAY.

UH, YOU ALL MENTIONED THE FLOODING A FEW MINUTES AGO.

AND, UH, BETWEEN THIS YEAR'S DROUGHT AND FLOODING, IT'S HAD A MAJOR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, UH, DEPENDING UPON WHERE THE RIVER CREST AT, UH, LATER TODAY.

TONIGHT, WE'RE EXPECTING THAT TO HAVE OVER A

[00:20:01]

UH, THIS PAST MONTH THROUGH THE VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL COST SHARE PROGRAM, WE APPROVED 20 CONTRACTS, UH, FOR $383,000.

UH, WE'VE GOT $2.1 MILLION ALLOCATED THIS YEAR TO US.

SO WE HOPE FUTURE ALLOCATIONS COME IN.

FUTURE REQUESTS FOR FUNDING COMES IN.

WE'LL BE HOSTING THE GUC AND LEADERSHIP ENTERPRISE AT OUR OFFICE LATER THIS MONTH.

UM, WE, UH, THIS MONTH WE DID A EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THIRD GRADERS AT RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON WATERSHEDS.

UNDERSTANDING THOSE.

UM, THEN WE'VE GOT THE BIGGEST THING GOING ON, COMING UP SHORT SHORTLY, IS THE WELL WATER TESTING PROGRAM THAT'S AVAILABLE THROUGH VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.

UM, THAT'S A PROGRAM OPEN TO ALL CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY.

UH, IT'S STRONGLY ENCOURAGED BECAUSE THAT TESTS FOR WATER QUALITY THAT AFFECTS PEOPLE'S HEALTH.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT, CITIZENS SHOULD CONTACT THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE.

UM, THAT WILL BE, UH, SAMPLE KITS WILL BE GIVEN OUT OCTOBER 15TH.

THEY'LL BE COLLECTED THE MORNING OF THE 16TH.

SO CONTACT THE EXTENSION OFFICE RELATED TO OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.

UH, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE A, UH, PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER MEETING LATER IN NOVEMBER.

OF COURSE, WE'LL BE, WE'LL BE ADVERTISING THAT, UH, THROUGH MULTIPLE VENUES, INCLUDING THE UCHIN COUNTY WEBSITE.

SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OTHER SUSAN, MA'AM.

HI.

THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO Y'ALL.

OKAY.

I'M KATHY MURRAY.

I'M WITH BIRD CELLARS.

PLEASE SPEAK IN THE .

OKAY.

I'VE NOT DONE THIS BEFORE.

I'M KATHY MURRAY.

I'M WITH BIRD CELLARS, VINEYARD AND WINERY.

AND I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE SIGNAGE, THE TODS.

AND JUST TO SAY THAT, UH, WE DID THAT ON OUR OWN AND IT HAS REALLY HELPED OUR BUSINESS.

WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS AND WE'VE BEEN IN GLAND FOR 20 YEARS.

AND JUST IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS SINCE WE GOT OUR SIGN, WE'VE SEEN TWO THIRDS OF AN INCREASE IN NEW PEOPLE THAT NEVER REALIZED WE WERE EVEN EXISTED.

THAT JUST BYPASS US ON 64 AND GO TO CHARLOTTESVILLE.

SO I WAS JUST, UH, SPEAKING THAT MAYBE THERE COULD BE SOME REIMBURSEMENT ON THE SIGNS.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S REALLY A GOOD THING FOR, UM, FOR US, HOPEFULLY FOR YOU ALL WITH BRINGING TOURISM IN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

ANY ADDITIONAL CITIZEN COMMENTS? OKAY.

SEEING NONE, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE FLOOR.

UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

[IX. Approval of Action Minutes]

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM? SO, MOVE.

OKAY.

UH, DO I HAVE SECOND? SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? NO.

OKAY.

I WILL NOW MOVE ON TO REPORTS.

UM, FIRST WE'LL

[X. Reports]

UH, ALL OTHER REPORTS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PACKET, UH, MR. WYNN.

[1. VDOT Report]

WE'LL, WE'LL HAVE ONE OTHER AFTER, UH, MR. HEALTH, UH, MR. WYNN.

OKAY.

MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. CARPENTER MARSHALL WYNN WITH VDOT.

UH, THIS PAST MONTH WE HAD 229 WORK ORDERS COMPLETED.

UH, 242 HAD 12, UH, AF UH, CALL OUTS AFTER HOURS.

AND ALL OF THOSE WERE HIGH WATER TREES DOWN.

UM, GO FIGURE.

SO, UM, BEEN DOING NORMAL MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES, ASPHALT AND POTHOLE REPAIR, DITCHING, UH, PIPE CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT, TREE AND BRUSH CLEANUP.

UM, MOWING.

WE COMPLETED A THIRD CYCLE OF PRIMARY MOW EARLIER, UM, IN SEPTEMBER WORKING ON OUR SECONDARY MOW, WE COMPLETED ABOUT 50% OF THAT ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOW GRASS FOR THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF, SO DUE TO THE RAIN.

UM, THE OTHER THING I DID WANNA BRING UP, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

UH, WE DO HAVE CREWS OUT THERE.

I HAVE ONE CREW FROM MY, MY RESIDENCY, A CREW OF 11.

THEY'RE WORKING ON DEBRIS REMOVAL.

THEY, THEY LEFT SUNDAY MORNING AND THEY'VE BEEN THERE, THEY'LL BE THERE THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

UM, MOSTLY TREES AND, AND HAULING DEBRIS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO THEY'RE WORKING PRETTY MUCH DAYLIGHT TILL DARK.

UH, THAT'S JUST ONE CREW FROM MY AREA.

THERE'S ANOTHER CREW FROM CHESTERFIELD FROM THE RICHMOND DISTRICT.

THERE'S CREWS FROM HAMPTON ROADS, FREDERICKSBURG AND HAMPTON ROADS THAT WERE DEPLOYED OUT THERE.

AND THAT'S IN THE ABINGTON RESIDENCY, WHICH IS WASHINGTON COUNTY AND SMYTHE COUNTY.

SO, UH, OTHER THAN THAT, I REALLY DON'T

[00:25:01]

NOT UNLESS Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, MR. WYNN.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD, MR. SPINOFF? UM, JUST MORE, MORE OF A THANK YOU.

THANK, UM, YOU GOT YOUR MESSAGE ABOUT ROCKCASTLE, UH, BEING TAKEN CARE OF, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

YEP.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU.

ALSO, IT'S A THANK YOU DAY, UH, FOR THE DIESEL ABATEMENT THAT YOU, UH, TOOK CARE OF THERE ON 6 21.

UM, YEAH, I SUPPOSE IT WOULDN'T BE PROPER TO ASK IF YOU COULD DO THAT ALONG ALL OF MANNEQUIN ROAD.

'CAUSE IT REALLY LOOKS NICE.

OKAY.

YEAH.

I'M, ONE THING I FORGOT TO SAY.

ELK ISLAND BRIDGE IS CLOSED DUE TO WATER AND DEBRIS ON THE BRIDGE.

SO AS SOON AS THAT WATER GOES DOWN, OUR BRIDGE INSPECTION TEAM WILL GO OUT AND INSPECT THAT TO GET IT BACK OPEN.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE SPOTS THE GENTLEMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CROP DAMAGE AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO, OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE.

THANK YOU, MR. MILLER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

UH, WE'LL NOW CALL UP MR. CLIFF HELLER, UM, FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY STAFF.

[2. Introduction of New County Staff]

UH, WE ARE, UH, ADDING SEVEN NEW FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

UH, I WANNA START WITH, UH, FIRE RESCUE, OUR NEW DEPUTY, UH, CHIEF, UH, TONY GORDON.

AND WE'RE FINALLY INTRODUCING HIM.

HE CAME IN JUST AFTER THE LAST MEETING, SO THANK YOU, TONY.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE, UH, OVER IN, UH, CIRCUIT COURT, WE HAVE HAVE DEBBIE TAYLOR.

SHE STARTED ON AUGUST 15TH, AND THERE'S DEBBIE RIGHT THERE.

UM, THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HAS TWO NEW DEPUTY TREASURER ONES EMILY PAGE AND LINZA MERCHANT.

DON'T THINK THEY WERE ABLE TO COME THOUGH.

AND THEN FINALLY, COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY OFFICE HAS BROUGHT IN A NEW PARALEGAL, REAGAN LUKOWSKI, WHO IS HERE RIGHT NOW AS WELL.

AND NOT LISTED NAMES, BUT WE DO HAVE TWO NEW COMMUNICATIONS OFFERS OFFICERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE IN TRAINING RIGHT NOW.

AND LASTLY, WE HAVE HIRED AT LEAST 50 ELECTION WORKERS AND THEY ARE STILL COMING IN.

SO IT'S GONNA BE CLOSE TO A HUNDRED WHEN WE'RE ALL SAID AND DONE.

SO THAT IS ALL OF OUR NEW HIRES.

SO THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO EVERYONE.

THANK YOU MR. HARRIS.

WELCOME ONE AND ALL.

IF I MAY, MR. CHAIRMAN CLIFF WILL DO THE OFFICIAL COUNTY INTRODUCTION NEXT MONTH.

'CAUSE THOSE WERE SEPTEMBER HIRES.

UM, BUT WE ARE VERY THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AS OF TODAY, THE NEW DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS STARTED AND ALEXANDER SPALDING IS HERE FOR THE MEETING TODAY.

WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HER HERE.

I KNOW YOU ALL AS ARE THE DEPARTMENTS.

THANK YOU, MS. MCGEE.

OKAY, WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I WILL ASK MR. OH, I'M SORRY.

I HAVE TO BE HELD IN, KEPT IN LINE.

UH, ANY BOARD REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BOARDS? MR. CHAIR,

[8. Board Reports]

HO.

UM, CBTA HAS MET, UH, SINCE WE LAST, UH, PULLED UP AND JUST WANT TO LET FOLKS KNOW.

UM, AS I REPORTED LAST MONTH, UH, MY, MYSELF AND MR. MOYER FROM NEW KEN COUNTY WERE ASKED TO SERVE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND I WAS ELECTED CHAIR.

UH, FINANCE COMMITTEE IS IMPORTANT, UH, FOR SEVERAL REASONS, BUT NUMBER ONE, BECAUSE EACH VOTE IS EACH JURISDICTION COUNTS AS ONE VOTE.

SO IT KIND OF LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD A LITTLE BIT.

UM, REGARDING CVTA, UH, AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, RIGHT? SO FAR.

ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE, UH, UNDERGONE HAVE BEEN PAYGO, MEANING WE DON'T, UM, AS, AS THE REVENUES COME IN, THEY GO BACK OUT TO THE JURISDICTIONS AND TO THE REGIONAL PROJECTS, UH, WE HAVE BEEN, UH, DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO DO BONDING.

UM, NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, BUT THE EXPLORATION OF THAT HAS GONE FORWARD.

SO, UH, WE ARE, UH, IN THE LAST MEETING LAST FRIDAY, WE DECIDE WE HAD, WE DID TAKE THE VOTE THAT WE ARE GONNA MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS TO GET WHAT I WOULD CALL PRE-APPROVED TO DO BONDING.

IT'S, UH, LAYMAN'S WAY OF, OF, OF EXPLAINING IT, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND IT.

UM, BUT SO THAT, THAT'S KIND OF EXCITING.

UH, GUCH IS TAKING A LEADERSHIP POSITION.

UH, MR. CARPENTER AND STAFF PUT TOGETHER A WHITE PAPER THAT WILL HELP THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO, UH, WE'VE CIRCULATED WITH CVTA.

IT'LL BE COMING TO THE REST OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, UH, TO REVIEW.

AND THEN UPON YOUR APPROVAL, THE, THE, THE PLAN IS TO SHARE THAT WITH OTHER LOCALITIES, ESPECIALLY OTHER SMALLER JURISDICTIONS, TO UNDERSTAND HOW BONDING COULD, UH, POTENTIALLY IMPACT AND, AND SHARE OUR STANCE ON IT.

SO WE WANT COLLECTIVELY UNDERSTAND THE BOARD'S, UH, DESIRE FOR THAT.

BUT, UH, SOME PRETTY, PRETTY EXCITING STUFF FROM THAT, FROM WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU, MR. ST.

OKAY.

SOUNDS GOOD.

[00:30:01]

I WILL ASK MR. CARPENTER TO SUMMARIZE THE ITEMS UNDER CONSENT.

[XI. Consent Agenda]

THE FIRST ITEM, FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY RECEIVED A NEW PIERCE FREIGHTLINER FIRE TANKER WITH ANOTHER ONE ON ORDER WITH AN EXPECTED NOVEMBER 24 DELIVERY TIMELINE.

OUR OLDER TANKERS HAVE SERVED THE DEPARTMENT WELL FOR THE LAST 22 YEARS, BUT THEIR LIFE USE IS NO LONGER ONE, WHICH WE, UH, FIND VALUE IN.

SO WE ARE DECOMMISSIONING THEM BASED ON THEIR COSTS.

THESE TWO VEHICLES, THEREFORE HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE SURPLUS.

UH, THE REQUEST IN FRONTAGE UNITED IS TO, UM, DONATE THOSE TWO VEHICLES TO, UM, SOME OF OUR SISTER COUNTIES, UH, ONE OF WHICH IS CUMBERLAND, AND ONE OF WHICH IS, UH, NEW CHARLES CITY, I'M SORRY, CHARLES CITY, THE COUNTY.

I, UM, THE SECOND ITEM IS, THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE EASTERN GLAND PUMP STATION FORCE MAIN PROJECT.

CERTAIN UNEXPECTED EVENTS AND FIELD CONDITIONS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED PROJECT COSTS.

PROJECT COSTS WILL EXCEED THE ORIGINAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION BY APPROXIMATELY $740,000.

THERE ARE TWO CURRENT DPU PROJECTS, WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED UNDER BUDGET, HOWEVER.

SO THIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO COVER A PORTION OF THE SHORTFALL FOR THIS PROJECT BY TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THESE PROJECTS.

UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL THE INCREASED COSTS WILL BE COVERED BY THE TRANSFER, SO WE WILL BE REQUESTING TONIGHT AND, UH, TRANSFER OF APPROXIMATELY $480,000.

IN ORDER TO FULLY FUND THIS PROJECT, WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 25 CAPITAL BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING AN ADDITIONAL $480,000 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES R AND R FUND FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.

THIS APPROPRIATION WILL CONSTITUTE A LOAN BETWEEN THOSE TWO FUNDS THAT WILL REPAID, THAT WILL BE REPAID TO THE CIP OVER A 10 YEAR TERM OR SOONER.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BOARD IS ASKED TO TRANSFER $250,000 IN PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS FROM THE BUDGET FOR THE HU HILLS WATER PROJECT AND $10,000 AND PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES PLAZA DRIVE WATERLINE EXTENSION PROJECT TO THE R AND R FUND.

THE NEXT ITEM IN , THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, HAS APPROVED VARIOUS CLASSIFICATIONS OF GENERAL FUND BALANCE FOR INCLUSION IN THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH GASB STATEMENT NUMBER 54, AS WELL AS THE BOARD'S POLICIES RELATED TO FUND BALANCE.

THE ATTACHED LIST, RECOMMENDED ASSIGNED USES OF THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS OF THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SOME OF THE ASSIGNED USES ARE CARRYOVERS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS AND OTHERS.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS, STAFF ASK THAT THE ATTACHED LIST BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

THE NEXT ITEM, MR. UH, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, IS UNDER STATE LAW.

AND PURSUANT TO THE COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE, ARTICLE TWO, SECTION TWO, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO APPOINT A PLATS OFFICER VESTED WITH CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING TO SUBDIVISIONS.

IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT A DESIGNATED PLATS OFFICER IS READILY AVAILABLE TO REVIEW PLATS DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.

STAFF RECOMMENDS THE APPOINTMENT OF CARRIE RAGLAND, A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE AS A COUNTY'S PLAT OFFICER WITH JAMIE SHERRY RAYMOND CASH, AND ANITA BARNES IS DEPUTY PLATS OFFICERS IN THE EVENT OF HER ABSENCE.

THE NEXT ITEM, THE SCHOOL BOARD IS REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING BUDGET SUPPLEMENTS TOTALING $157,331 AS AS DESCRIBED BELOW, AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF 69,000 180 4 TO THE SCHOOL OPERATING FUND FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS TO BE FUNDED THROUGH A STATE OF VIRGINIA VDOE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY GRANT, AND AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF 88,000 TO THE FEDERAL GRANTS FUND FOR SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS, AND A SECONDARY MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR TO BE FUNDED THROUGH A FEDERAL SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY GRANT, $38,854 AND FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES GRANT OF 49,293.

NO COUNTY FUNDS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS REQUEST.

THE NEXT ITEM AT THE AUGUST 24TH, 2024 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, EDA JOINT WORK SESSION STAFF, RECOMMENDED SEVERAL STUDIES AND PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING REQUESTS ARE DETAILED AS ONE COMPLETE DUE DILIGENCE TO INCREASE A PRIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SITE FROM TIER TWO TO TIER FOUR AND PRODUCE MARKETING MATERIALS FOR 155,000.

PERFORM WATER AND SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR OILVILLE 250,000 INFRASTRUCTURE AND STUDIES FOR OTHER PRIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREAS SUCH AS COURTHOUSE SEWER, BENNINGTON ROAD WATER AND SEWER PLAZA DRIVE, WATER AND SEWER FOR 95,000.

A SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE FOR 50,000 AND A LOGO, TOURIST ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGN GRANT PROGRAM FOR 10,000.

AND THE FINAL ITEM, MR. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD IS THE

[00:35:01]

AN AGREEMENT IS FOR YOU THAT AUTHORIZES THE BOARD TO ACT AS THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION'S AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMOVING ANY SIGNS OR ADVERTISING LOCATED WITHIN VDOT, MAINTAIN RIGHTS OF WA THAT ARE IN VIOLATION OF VIRGINIA CODE.

IT ALSO ALLOW THE COUNTY AS THE COMMISSIONER'S AGENT TO COLLECT PENALTIES AND COSTS FROM THE PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION RESPONSIBLE FOR SIGNS OR ADVERTISING LOCATED WITHIN THE VDOT, MAINTAIN RIGHTS OF WA THAT ARE IN VIOLATION AS PROVIDED BY VIRGINIA CODE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THOSE ARE THE SEVEN ITEMS IN FRONT OF YOU TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, MR. CARPENTER.

UH, MR. LAU? YEAH, MR. CHAIRMAN.

UM, I, I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE REMOVE AND, AND SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF THE ONLY TWO ITEMS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REQUEST.

UH, ITEM SIX, WHICH IS THE, UH, SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE FOR 50,000.

AND THE LOGO, UH, TODD'S SIGNED GRANT PROGRAM FOR 10,000.

OKAY.

THANK YOU MR. LAU.

SO, SO, MR. LAU, WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS WE WANT TO PULL OUT NUMBER SIX FROM THIS TO DISCUSS IN CASE WE WANT TO AMEND IT, PULL AS TWO ITEMS. OH, JUST THE TWO ITEMS, THOSE TWO SPECIFIC ITEMS. BUT IF YOU WANNA PULL ALL SIX OUT, THAT'S, UM, I'M GOOD.

I'M GOOD WITH THE LAST TWO.

OKAY.

UH, THANK YOU MR. LAU.

UM, SO WE WILL NOW TAKE UP THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE AND NUMBER SEVEN PLUS ITEM SIX.

OTHER THAN THOSE TWO SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED BY MR. LYLE, JUST NOW, UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

OKAY.

ANY DISCUSSION? ARE WE GONNA GO BACK TO, WE'RE GONNA GO BACK TO THOSE, YES.

ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY.

UM, SINCE WE HAVE A, A MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? OKAY.

SO THOSE ITEMS ARE APPROVED.

NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE.

UM, SURE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M, I'M, I'M, I'M HAPPY TO, UH, SPEAK TO THIS AND I, I BELIEVE PROTOCOL, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION AND THEN SPEAK TO THE MOTION.

AND, UH, I WOULD MOVE THAT THE BOARD NOT APPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $50,000.

AND I, I GUESS WE'LL TAKE 'EM ONE AT A TIME.

OR DO YOU WANT ME TO DO YES, YES, WE'LL DO ONE AT A TIME.

UH, OKAY.

SO THERE'S MY MOTION.

OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? MS. MCGEE? IF IT'S SECONDED AND IT, THAT JUST OPENS FOR DISCUSSION, AND THEN IF IT'S DENIED, IT COMES BACK UP BEFORE US, OR IF IT'S APPROVED, IT GOES OBVIOUSLY.

BUT, UM, IF IT IS DENIED, I HAVE REASON TO A SECOND IS FOR DISCUSSION.

IF IT IS, IF DENIED, IT MEANS IT'S APPROVED.

IF THE MOTION FOR DENIAL IS DENIED, IS DENIED, UM, WE COULD DO THAT.

YES, SIR.

, TRYING TO THINK.

OR WE COULD MAKE A, A SECOND MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING.

YES.

OKAY.

THAT'S A CLEARER WAY TO GO.

OKAY.

SO IT, I'LL I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.

THANK YOU.

SO NOW THAT WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? YES, SIR.

MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. UM, I, AND I DO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I'VE TRIED TO FAITHFULLY ATTEND THE EDA MEETINGS AND, UM, I, I THINK THAT, UH, THE COUNTY'S FUTURE REALLY RESTS ON COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I JUST THINK THIS IS GOING ABOUT IT IN THE WRONG WAY.

UH, IN, IN THE EDA WORKSHOP, THERE WAS A ROBUST, UH, PRESENTATION ON THIS.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S INTENDED TO HELP BUSINESSES, UH, ADDRESS ANY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH APPLICATION AND PERMITTING.

UH, AND IT'S ALSO GONNA BE REBATED.

SO THEY'RE GONNA SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN COME BACK AND GO THROUGH ANOTHER APPLICATION PROCESS IN ORDER TO GET THEIR MONEY RETURNED TO 'EM.

UH, I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE BETTER WAY WOULD BE TO REDUCE THOSE FEES SO THEY DON'T BECOME A BURDEN AND WE STREAMLINE OR MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT SO IT'S NOT SUCH A ECONOMIC BURDEN ON THEM.

SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE WE'RE CUTTING THEM AND THEN WE'RE GIVING 'EM A BANDAID TO PUT ON THE CUT.

UH, I WOULD PREFER THAT, UH, WE NOT APPROVE THIS 50,000 AND SEE HOW WE CAN REDUCE THE FEES BY 50,000 SO THAT EVERYBODY GETS TO BENEFIT FROM THAT.

UM, I WOULD RATHER SEE ALL THE BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY, UH, BENEFIT FROM A REDUCTION IN FEES AND APPLICATION PROCESS THAN JUST THOSE THAT IN A SENSE, WE'RE PICKING AND SAYING, THIS IS WHO WE THINK SHOULD GET THE REBATE OR, OR THE SUBSIDY IN, IN THAT WAY.

SO, I LIKE TO GO SIMPLER.

UH, I, I DON'T KNOW THAT, UH, UH, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH US SAYING, WELL, WE'RE GONNA PUT $50,000, BUT ONLY TOWARDS SELECTED BUSINESSES THAT GO THROUGH

[00:40:01]

SO THERE'S MY MOTION TO NOT APPROVE THIS $50,000.

OKAY.

UH, THANK YOU MR. LYLE FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND JUST FOR EASE OF DISCUSSION, UH, MS. WORLEY, IF I COULD CALL YOU FORWARD, THAT WOULD BE GREAT, MR. SPAU? YEAH.

UM, SO I, THIS, THIS IS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION, UM, IN THAT I, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE MR. LYLE'S COMING FROM, AND I, I, I JUST WONDER IF THERE'S A, A WAY TO DO BOTH BECAUSE, UM, I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT THIS BOARD HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ESPECIALLY TO, TO ENHANCE COMMERCIAL GROWTH, THAT THAT'S BEEN A BIG FOCUS SO THAT WE COULD RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OF THE RESIDENTIAL GROWTH.

UM, SO I WONDER IF THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP, BECAUSE LOOKING TO CHANGE AND, AND THE, THE TIME IT TAKES TO, TO, TO, TO DO WHAT MR. LYLE SAID, WHICH IS REDUCE IT.

UM, I THINK THIS NEW BOARD IS LEARNING THE SPEED AT WHICH GOVERNMENT MOVES, OR, I MEAN, NOT MOVE, MOVES SLOWER.

UM, IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SOME, SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF OR AT LEAST A STEP TO SHOW THAT WE ARE, UH, SUPPORTIVE OF BUSINESSES.

AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE ANYTHING, DOESN'T SAY THAT, BUT I THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE GREAT.

I, I THINK THE THING THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WITH THIS, AND THE SECOND ITEM, AND I DON'T KNOW, MISS WHIRLEY, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THIS, IS, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE, MY EXPERIENCE IS WE, WE DO A LOT OF PROGRAMS, WE DO THINGS, BUT WE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE OR UNDERSTAND THE RETURN OR WHAT THE GOALS ARE.

SO, MISS WORLEY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY, CAN SPEAK TO THESE PROGRAMS IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS AND HOW, HOW THIS BOARD CAN BE ASSURED THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO CONTINUE OR, OR HOW IT'S GONNA BE MONITORED.

SURE.

YEAH.

THANK YOU.

MR. SPOON.

HOWER FOR THE RECORD.

I'M SARAH WORLEY, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR HERE FOR GLIN COUNTY.

THANK YOU, MR. LYLE, FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

UM, SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO MR. SPOONER'S COMMENTS, YES, WE WOULD, WE WOULD SEE SUCCESS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE IF WE WERE ABLE TO HELP TWO TO THREE BUSINESSES IN ONE YEAR, UM, DO THAT.

AND AS PART OF THE GUARDRAILS WE'VE SET UP, THE EDA WOULD THEN COME BACK AND REPORT TO THE BOARD HOW THEY'VE ASSISTED THE BUSINESSES, HOW MUCH MONEY WAS PUT OUT, AND WHAT THE ROI FOR THAT IS.

SO THERE WOULD BE A RECORD, UM, TO, TO SHOW WHAT THE MONEY IS, WHERE IT'S GOING TO.

UH, IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH BUSINESSES, THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT THE PERMITTING, UM, IS WHAT IS REALLY KIND OF TAKING THE TIME FOR THEM AND UNEXPECTED, UM, KIND OF, UH, INCREASE OF THOSE COSTS.

UH, WE'RE SEEING THAT THE COST TO DO PERMITTING IS NOT JUST COUNTY PERMITTING.

WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT STATE PERMITTING AND FEDERAL PERMITTING UNDER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IS FIVE TO 10% OF THEIR TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST AT THIS POINT.

AND SO THIS PROGRAM IS SET UP SPECIFICALLY TO HELP OFFSET THAT 5%, AND IT'S ONLY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT COMPANIES 250 OR LESS IN THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU, MR. LEY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY.

SO, UH, JUDGE, JUST THE 250, IS THAT 250 EMPLOYEES? 250 EMPLOYEES? YES, SIR.

OH, OKAY.

ALRIGHT, THANKS.

WELL, THAT'S FINE.

UH, I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK WE HAD A VERY GOOD WORK SESSION BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

AND, UM, I THINK WE CAME AWAY FROM THAT MEETING WITH ENTHUSIASM AND OVERALL ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

AND WE LOOKING FOR THE FUTURE.

AND I, AND I, BY NO MEANS THINK THAT, UH, MR. LYLE IS NOT SUPPORTIVE.

AND I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE PROBABLY EVEN TAKEN IT A STEP FURTHER AND, AND, AND REDUCING THE FEES AND SO FORTH.

BUT, BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE SMALL STEP AND I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT.

I'M ALSO WOULD, WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE YOUR THOUGHTS AS WELL, IF REDUCING THE FEES.

I'M HAPPY TO TALK MORE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

NO, NO.

I MEAN, AS WE GO TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND WE PLAN ON THIS, NO WORRIES.

BUT I THINK WE CAME AWAY REALLY ENCOURAGE THAT WE SORT OF, UM, JUMP STARTING AND ADDING TO OUR EMPHASIS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND SO, MR. CHAIR, YES.

ONE THING THAT JUST CAME TO MIND, AND I GOTTA BE CAREFUL HOW I SAY THIS, IS THAT I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE COUNTY COMING ALONGSIDE AND HELPING WITH THE, WITH THESE, WITH THIS PROCESS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LICENSING OF THE, THE, THE, THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT FOLKS HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

I GET CALLS WEEKLY NOW ABOUT THE PROCESS IT TAKES, WHETHER IT'S TO BUILD A BUILDING, WHETHER IT'S COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND ALL, AND THE THINGS.

SO HAVING ALMOST A VESTED STAKE IN SUCCESS IS ATTRACTIVE TO ME.

UM, SO THAT I WOULD SEE THAT THAT'S A, THAT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT

[00:45:01]

BUT THEN ALSO, UH, WHATEVER, IF, IF WE WERE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, THAT THERE IS A, I DON'T WANNA SAY A MANDATE, BUT KICKING OFF, KICKING OFF THE PLAN TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE FEES LONG TERM.