Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

I'll call the 3 p.m. session of what was originally the January 27th meeting uh postponed and moved up today uh January 29th meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors to order. I'd like to welcome all of our visitors. remind you that if you want to address the board, you must sign up 7 days in advance of any of our regular meetings to be put on the agenda. The county administrator is the contact person for the board. However, the public may address the board under the agenda item matters presented by the public that will take up later in the meeting as agenda item number 19. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and uh participating in uh your county government. Uh our first agenda item uh that we need to uh consider is agenda item number five, the items of consent. What is the pleasure of the board in regard to this item?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the items of consent. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is uh 6. Uh Jennifer, Miss Beckan, I believe that uh excuse me, Dr. Cobbler. Uh I believe that you have a resolution uh for the board's consideration.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the resolution of the Henry County Board of Supervisors honoring Joel Candidate for his service to Henry County. Whereas Joel Candidate has devoted more than 25 years of service to Henry County as an election worker, precinct chief, and most recently as chairman of the Henry County Electoral Board. And whereas throughout his years of service, Mr. candidate demonstrated a strong commitment to the democratic process, ensuring that elections in Henry County were conducted fairly, accurately, and in accordance with state and local laws. And whereas election workers and members of the electoral board play a vital role in maintaining public confidence in elections by safeguarding the integrity, transparency, and accessibility of the electoral process. Whereas the dedication of election officials requires long hours, careful attention to detail, and a steadfast commitment to public service, often carried out behind the scenes, but essential to the functioning of representative but essential to the functioning of representative government. And whereas Henry County benefits greatly from individuals who are willing to serve their community in this capacity, helping to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in free and fair elections. Whereas Joel Candid's years of service reflect the values of civic responsibility, integrity, and commitment that strengthen local government and the community as a whole. Now there be it there therefore be it resolved that Henry County Board of Supervisors hereby extends its sincere appreciation and best wishes to Joel candidate upon his retirement and expresses its gratitude for his contributions to the democratic process and to the continued strength of elections in Henry County. Signed Jim Adams chairman Henry County Board of Supervisors and Mr. Adams I make a motion to accept the resolution.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor? It is 6. Jennifer, I'm gonna ask board members uh to uh join the uh downfront uh as we present this along with electoral board members and county registry office uh staff. Congratulations. Let me see. Everyone ready in three, two, three, two, one.

Thank you. Thank you.

Not when there's snow people. I need to get out the house. Okay. Um again, congratulations. Uh Mr. And uh do you want to offer any words? I think Mr. There were only u a few words prohibited today and that's any reference to the movie Frozen wasn't going to have any of that. So I think Mr. Folks had a pres.

Okay, Mr. folks folks. I'm here representing uh Donald here today and and I want to recognize the members of the of the office Carol Julie Brad and

then those uh on the board and myself and our new member member and we have a a certificate of appreciation uh from the Indiana Educational Relations Department in recognition of your exceptional and professional dedication to the protection and implementation of our elections and the right to vote for the citizens of Hendrick and for your commitment to promoting voters rights and election workers participation for the past 25 plus years. Congratulations All right. Thank you.

At this time, we're uh going to move an agenda item up for and call on our uh clerk of court uh to come forward. And I think uh we will have a swearing in ceremony for Tiffany C. Harrison, who is currently the deputy chief to the treasurer's office, but she will be uh sworn in uh on interim basis. I, Tiffany. to solely swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia and that I will and partially discard all duties of meeting treasure of office commences January 31st, 2026 and expiring December 31st, 2026 unless earlier removed according to the best of what we got. That takes us to agenda item number seven. a monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts. We have with us County Treasurer Scott Grindstep. Scott, welcome.

I will have to do it again.

Okay, this is uh our liquid collection report for December 31st, 2025. The personal property as of December 31st, we've collected 91.11% of the 24 personal property taxes. During the month, we collected 74,141. Real estate, we collected 96.08% of the 24 real estate tax. During the month of December, we collected $73,961. Since January 1 of 2025, TAC collected $1,15,359 for us. Our debt set off last year in 2025 for the year total $493,434 in the debt set off program. The BMV stops during the month of December, we had 140 BMBB stops. That is our my normal report. Y'all heard I made a handout today. Uh this is basically in response to the auditors that all the blue folks on the board. Uh a lot of questions are asked about delinquent taxes. So I gave you three pages here. Look at the first page. It's all about real estate taxes. December of 2010 there's outstanding 20002,63,53 the assessed amount for 2009 was 13683 if you look at each year December 15th our our collection percentage was 95% December 20 was 95.98 December 25 is 9608

if you look what is assessed and what's levied. This is what's levied by between the assessments and the tax rate. In 2009, the levy was 13 million. In 2025, it's 17 million. So, in 15 years, the real estate levy has only gone up over $4 million. And if you look at what's not collected each year, if you look at the first three years in each column, that's why that's the largest amount of what's not collected. That's mainly due to mortgages, people moving and changing their mortgage companies, buying houses and stuff. It takes us time to find out who's the rightful owner of each profit each year. As you can see, it goes down. If you look at the last year, each year it's like $2,000 outstanding. So if you look at the last column 2009 $1,548 the amount levied was 13 million. That's what I'll go to the second page is personal property. It's been a little bit different. 2010 the levy was the $8,924,000. Our collection percentage was 96.62. 2015 was 10,291. Collection percentage was 97.38. 2020 2019 build was 13298. We collected 94.53% of that. the uh December 25 our collection rate is 9111 and the levy was 19,267 for 2024 and tell you this year's levy was over $20 million. So you can see how much has gone up.

Personal property 2009 was 8 million 8.9 and now we're at 20 million. Also the December 25 that rate is low. You see the two biggest indications that's only a 10-month collection period since our due date was in February the last three years. So the previous three columns were all 12-month collection rates. This is 10 months. And also we have one account that's in bankruptcy, that's over half a million. If we factor that in, our collection rate would be almost 94%. So every time you hear the auding money, I want you to see where it is. since the most recent years. And it's because our staff stay able to work it over the time. Those new here, real estate stays on our books for 20 years. Personal property stays on the books for 5 years. Last pages, I hope you take a good look at it. When I came here in 2000, I had 10 employees. You see period where it went down. So, and finally in March of 24, I've got one added back to eight. And a lot of times during the fall during heavy tax season, I was down to seven and six people still getting these collection rates with the effort of my staff and what they did. So, I know y'all have some hard decisions coming up about revenue and expenses. Just it's always kind of ironic that when you need more revenue or cut expenses, some of the first places y'all look to cut is the revenue collectors. That's my office and the commission revenues office. So, please keep that in mind. Thank you. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions of Scott at this time?

The 17 million is an in your office recently. The 17 million that's aggregate. That is what was levied for that year. Yeah. Okay. That's the figure from the assessments and the tax rate that we're supposed to collect minus taxfree properties in the county. That's the number I try to get to each year. Yeah. And why from 2000 to 2020? I mean, I know it's 10 years, but you've been here. Why would you go from 10 employees then to six in 2021? Well, the first cuts were due to state state cut people.

So, we're we rely on state money. We've took the brunt of that. And like I said, when I came here, I had 10 employees plus myself. Commissioner Revenue's office had about 13. I think they're finally back up to 10. So if y'all want something done better on the local taxes, you know, help the people that collect it. Any other questions?

Mr. Chairman, my staff will be finishing up his community service tomorrow being his last day as treasure. I think it' be perfect to give him a round of applause for his service to our community for the past. YES. SCOTT, UH, hold on for just a moment. Uh, since you did have staff members come in, uh, if the clerk and, uh, Tiffany uh, Harrison, if you all would come back up along with the treasur staff, uh, I think it'd be appropriate to get a picture of all of you together. Thank you. You didn't know what's going to happen.

She said you all stay forever. Thank you all. That takes us to agenda item number eight, update from the Martin Henry County uh economic development corporation. We have with us Mark Heath. Mark, welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. You have in front of me our update for January 26 in the business development division, which is Valerie Harper. Obviously, the the YOPro event schedule for tonight has been changed. It will be on the 19th at um at Tad Tavern uptown. Uh on the 13th of January, we had a seminar on starting a food based business. People interested in that. There were 13 folks that attended. We had representatives from the health department, commissioner revenues offices, both from the city and the county and talking about the basic regulations that it takes to start up a business. There were four site visits. Uh you can see those and those were done in uh conjunction with our staff and also the Virginia Department of Economic Development staff that comes down uh periodically and calls on people with valor. Uh she attended the Bill of Heights home ribbon cutting the chambers lunch with the president through Federal Reserve Bank a lot of us direct information participated in the small business uh collabor collaborative meeting which is all uh organizations involved in small business in Martin County and uh Valerie and I met with the with the director Mike Palm Brewster and their new the new economic development specialist Kiana Dillard at the West Pemont Planning District and we talked to them a lot about how to uh get them in front of local industry particularly with the SE new SESS update coming this year on the the comprehensive plan. So we plan to help them all we can on that. and our marketing division. You can see on the back the monthly report for unemployment has ticked up a little bit from a year ago here, but it follows the same trend.

The trend is up a little bit through the year and it's now at 5.1%. Um, but I guess one way to look at it is more people available, but we don't know of anyone that's having difficulty finding uh labor. Now, our staff, we've had we have monthly meetings out of CCAT ongoing work for track 2 and also reservoir road that update project and we're beginning the the um building of the capital. We need to grade lot three at Camel at Camel Crossing. So, a lot of good things going on. The grading is essentially done on track two and if it were not for the snow, uh it I mean it's really a beautiful site and I think you're going to see a lot of activity there in the years to come. Uh Spencer updated our commuting patterns to reflect the data from 2023 and we've updated the meals and lodging and tax revenue for the tourism division. And tourism is up uh year-over-year. It's the highest we've ever had. The impact was a little over 76 million in the last year and that's great news for Henry County. There were 10 site visits um and calls. We had 95 destination guides were given to two businesses locally, Oakdale in and Smith River Outfitters. We sent 40 to Brunswick Visitors Center and 100 to the Frederick Bistor Center. Uh we attended the grand opening of the Baz Farmers Market and met with the Virginia Tourism Corporation grants manager, our staff, which they've done a great job. They secured a $1,500 grant from the PTC to help with the tourism collaborative. You can see all the work going on around that. This will be the second year we've had that with people in Danble

County, Franklin County, everybody involved in tourism. added will be on the 24th of this month of February rather. Uh you can see the blogs that have gone out social media social media activity is pretty strong. Uh and then in our Sarah Hajes division talent development you can see all the things. We've had several meetings with hotel developers. We continue to work diligently to get the hotel built in Henry County. Uh we had an update done of the hotel study that we that the EDC originally funded four or five years ago. The hotel folks want that to continually be updated which we've done. Uh Sarah attended a consultant event here development in the last u it's 1 of December actually. Uh we've worked with at Blige airport and the ribbon cutting they had last month and uh Sarah attended the city of Martinsville EDA meeting focusing on housing that was held in the last week or so. Probably answer any questions might have anyone have any questions of Mark at this time? All right. Thank you. Um Mr. Wagner, do you want to comment on agenda item nine? Yes, we had planned to have a representative from River Street Networks and Appalachin Power here to provide an update on the broadband project. However, due to rescheduling, River Street Networks was not able to attend. Uh we do have a representative here from Appalachic Power, but he said ideally he would rather do that in conjunction with River Street Network, but if you would like an update, he can provide it from Appalachic Power standoint. Well, I did recognize that it was here and that's why I asked u um um u do you want any comment at this point in time?

I think it probably best just to wait for Oh, sorry. Good afternoon, board. Um my name's Rob Man with Appalachia Power Company external affairs. Um I think for it would be best to uh wait for River Street's presentation as well. Um just in in general, we are working on the BA3 um broadband project hanging fiber. Um we're likely uh I guess started with about 50%. We have six overall line routes in in the county. So we're about 50% done with our fire construction and but there's different pieces and I I I I will share some information with you prior to the next board meeting just so you can understand the steps and we'll we'll present that. So

All right. Thank you. I I do have a a question for also Mr. Wagner and welcome Rob.

When when when I'm getting asked or when we're getting asked when am I going to get internet at my home, what I know the answer that I've been given so far because I did make this a strong component of my campaign that every I everyone in Henry County, every resident will have access to internet. I do understand that everybody's been working hard on that and uh I know that I have told them that there that it's in three phases and that if they call the county administration office that they would potentially be given a an estimated date on when their property or when they could expect to have internet or broadband in their area. Do either one of you have or would you comment on that please?

So I can't specifically speak to when it would be at River Street's point. What I can speak towards AP Appalachin Power air section what we're doing. So we're hanging the fiber. River Street is a a service provider that's connected to that fiber and then they'll take it onto the homes. So, as far as air portion in what it's looking like for the overall VA3 project, we should be complete with air construction late uh fourth quarter 26. Okay. With air construction.

So, so that's one step of the process, but actually there are some customers that already has access to a based on a project uh in the Axto community that was brought in from Pennsylvania County that was not part of an Appalachin power project. So, there's so many components of this. Every neighborhood is different when it comes to a timeline, but generally those in Axton are available already. To them, it's like 27 homes. Not a lot, but it's 27 homes. Um, there's a phase one and phase two. Sometimes you have to build phase one and you'll go right past phase two. So, we can decide if you're in phase one or two. That generally says you'll get it in 2026 or soon thereafter. Okay. generally ret

if they're going to be coming on as the fiber is turned on. They will be rolling it out. I'm sure River Street if they were here, they would say, "Go to our website now if you're interested. Sign up, put your address in, and we will make sure we notify you the day it's available." Is it is it reasonable that I just continue to ask them to call the administration's office and they can look at look at an address that was I know for a year I've been doing that. Is that still appropriate to do that for? I had three people ask me last week. Yeah, that's perfectly fine. We can certainly pull it up myself or IT director Mark Alli. Okay.

On our map. Um, however, they're going to get the most accurate information if they sign up on River Street's network to be informed when it comes to their neighborhood because River Street is a business. They're going to want to sell it. Yeah. The day it's turned on. Yeah. So, they're going to be telling you two or three months ahead say now's the time to sign up because it's going to be turned on on this date. So, you're going to get the most accurate information if they go to that website and sign up for.

Is that is it helpful to put that on our county? Is maybe it's already on there. Like I said, I've just been asking them to call in and report their address. Is it reasonable to put something about that on the county where they can directly sign up for River Streets? Yeah, we can certainly reemphasize that. We've had it on there before, but it's my riverstreet.net. Okay. Thank you, Rob. Thank you. Agenda item number 10, we'll have an update from uh parks and uh recreation. And we have with us Roger Adams, uh director of uh parks and recreation for Henry County. Roger, welcome. Thank you.

Hope you guys are doing well. I'm here today to update you guys on the Smith River Sports Complex and you should have in your board packet a uh PDF document of our 2025 year in review. So, just a quick backstory. Um, as you may remember, uh the county took over ownership and management of the Smith River Sports Complex in 2023. It's been a wonderful experience. Um, I'm amazed at um the sports complex, the number of people we have there, and just what a jewel it is to our community. And um the first especially the first year I worked a lot of tournaments over there. We have a lot of out of town tournaments every weekend. And the comments that I heard from people out of town from very wealthy communities that travel a lot for travel sports, lacrosse and things were um a lot of people that had never been to Martin Henry County were amazed at the um that that Henry County would have a facility that quality and uh a lot of them commented on it's a nice facility they ever played at. And um so just numerous positive comments from the folks from out of town as well as local residents, particularly from people out of town. And a story that I told uh some people have heard this a couple times before, but I know we have some new people here. Um as I mentioned, I worked a lot of the tournaments over there. One of the first tournaments I worked was a women's uh college ultimate frisbee tournament. If you've never seen ultimate frisbee, it's fun to go and watch. But what I what I was amazed at when I showed up there that day to work, you know, all the all the college girls that come to play and of course they have their jerseys on with where they're from. So we had like I think 29 colleges there. We had Harvard University, Pit, South Carolina, MIT, uh Notre Dame, Ohio State, um JMU, uh Tennessee, 29 colleges. So, you have kids running around with Harvard University t-shirts on in in Henry County playing Ultimate Frisbee. Now, that that just kind of blew my mind. I thought it was really um really special to see that here in our community. And

if you look at the uh summary sheet we have from last year, we have some awesome staff at the Smith River Sports Complex that uh are now county employees. They do an awesome job there. Last year, we had over 100,000 people that visited the Smith River Sports Complex. um over 31,000 people uh from out of town during tournaments there. We had activity uh meaning organized uh games, tournaments at the complex, 48 weekends last year and uh 77% of the days we had organized activity there. That doesn't count people that are there for the day to play on the playground, to walk, use a new fitness station or things like that. So um 70% 77% of the days we had organized activities there. People traveled an average of 154 miles to come here. Of course, a lot of them spent the night here. Uh spent their money here, shop, got gas, went to the restaurants, things like that. So, uh helping our taxpayers out. The average time uh traveled was 2 hours and 37 minutes to come to the sports complex for an event there. We had visitors from 19 states last year in 10 foreign countries at the complex for various events. So, um I'm just I'm truly just amazed at the facility we have here in the in the county. It's just been uh it's been a great experience taking over ownership management of that and um and it's just a just a wonderful jewel to our community and uh I'd be happy to answer any questions you guys might have about the complex.

Does anyone have any questions with Roger at this time? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Agenda item number 11, Henry County PSA employee handbook updates on uh from our human uh resources area. We have Michelle V. Good afternoon everyone. So, you all had ample time now to review the handbook. Um, does anyone have any questions that they would like answered?

I have one that was brought up to me. Uh, and I won't ask you to thumb to it, but uh, uh, we do have performance evaluation processes as part of the handbook. It's on page 72. Could you provide to the board members uh what form is being used on that and uh also if uh if it is more applicable to the board since we only do an evaluation of two people that's the county administrator and the county attorney uh if you could provide a copy of what would be used to each board member. Sure. I had a question on that. I can send that by email.

And uh and then I guess uh to follow up with that um what uh recordkeeping or where are those type of uh things filed within the HR office? Correct. They're in the employees personnel files. Okay. The annual ones are filed in their personnel files quarterly or digital. Okay. Thank you. Anything else?

Any other questions in regard to the handbook? Um you all have had uh opportunities since the organizational meeting to look this over. Um and uh appreciate I know that uh sometimes as things change uh in a digital world or whatever sometimes uh adoptions or uh uh amendments to it may need to uh come forward and sometimes we have to change policy based on law before it comes before board. You know, with that, is there a motion uh to adopt uh the revised employee handbook as presented to the board?

Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to adopt the uh revised handbook. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? 6. Uh Jennifer, thank you. Agenda item number 12 will take up financial matters beginning with 12A, additional appropriations uh for grant funding for the sheriff's office. Mr. Wagner,

Sheriff Wayne Davis is asking the board to approve the appropriation of the following grants received for his department. $15,971 received from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services through their unmanned aircraft and the placement grant program. Sheriff Davis explains that the funds are designated to replace an existing drone used by his department. The grant does not require level match. The second one is $99,999 received from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to their operation ceasefire grant. Sheriff Davis explained that the funds will support overtime for deputies survive casino violent crime reduction efforts as well as enhanced community outreach and enhanced engagement initiatives. The grant does not require local match. Third item is $9,672 received from the United States Department of Justice uh through their state criminal alien assistance program. Sheriff Davis explains that the funds will be used to support overtime for staff shortages, special operations, and off-site security of inmates during medical appointments. The grant does not require medical. And the last one of $4,584 received from the Virginia State Police help eliminate autotheft grant program. Sheriff Davis explains that the grant will allow the department to send one investigator and one deputy for additional training on combating and solving autoft crime. And Sheriff Davis is here. She should have any questions. Okay. The board has been provided background material as well as the explanation that's uh just been given by uh county administrator on uh these requests. What is the uh action the board desires to take in regard to this? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of grants totaling $130,226 as presented.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I do have a question. Who who writes these grants for you guys and gals? Um there's several different people that write them. Um Captain Hammer, he wrote the one the for the overtime money and stuff like that. Um I do like the JS. We have different. Okay. So, you actually do the grant writing from from the sheriff's office. That's That's amazing. Really? Because the grant writing is no small task. That's Yeah, that's why I'm asking.

So, we've made effort to bring multiple people inside our office to write grants include the chief deputy, the mayor, Captain Ham, our patrol captain grants, as well as our investigations captain. So, our grant writing is spread out amongst the agencies. So, uh, we've been very successful getting those. I'm with you, Pam. I was thinking the same thing. Good job. Yeah. Okay. With motion second. Any other questions?

All in favor? Is 60. Uh Jennifer and I will com one comment uh and I think it is noteworthy to mention to the sheriff's department that the community recognizes not only the effort of uh and the importance of a drone, but it was my understanding that a drone was used recently to find a missing child. Yes, that is correct.

So, chairman, as you know, we recently received a drone grant as well. We have drones in the field. They're in each of our patrol units. Each shift has a drones readily available. Those drones include features such as thermal, night vision, as well. So the child you're referring to was uh the child that was on project lifesaver new program we recently implemented this year in partnership partnership with the city sheriff's office. What I can say had it not been for project lifesaver program and the use of that drone uh we're afraid we could have had tragic outcomes. So we're glad to embrace this technology and new program to bring life saving tools to Henry County.

Oh yeah. It's great. Terrific. 12B uh additional appropriation referencing poll books for the register's office. Uh Mr. Wagner,

so as mentioned earlier, general regist wanted to be here present this item. Unfortunately, she with the rescheduled meeting, there was a conflict. So she regrets not being able here and said please excuse her absence. Um she is requesting on behalf of the electoral board an additional $127,550 from the general fund to purchase electronic poll books to use by the elections office. Miss Mrs. Staltzone explains that the existing poll books are 5 years old and have been problematic for staff and volunteers on election day. Mrs. Vaughn proposes purchasing 55 poll pads along with protective cases, printers, and training from known No Inc. Incorporated located in St. Louis, Missouri. The purchasing department has authorized for this item in in compliance with code Virginia section 24.2602 which provides exemption for balance and reduction materials for certain purchasing and procurement requirements. Uh this project has been on our capital improvements plan for several years. It was generally slated for uh fiscal year 2728 which is you know a year out. However, I think the uh failure of the equipment in recent days has uh escalated the need for this equipment. So, he's asking for the approval of these additional funds of this. I I suspect uh the chairman of the electoral board can add value to this if should he have any questions. Mr. false board has background um material on this and uh um also uh the request in writing uh from our county register. Are there any questions? Uh is there a motion that the board desires to put forward uh in regard to uh this additional appropriation?

Mr. Chairman, go ahead. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $127,550 from the general fund for the purchase of the pole books. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh Jennifer and it might be noted that um there is going to be um some training on this. my understanding on February 5th and um I realize that that does con conflict with a couple board members uh being out of town for uh conference on behalf of the board you're at that conference. So those of you that uh can make that uh uh please put that on your calendar and if we need um kind of a refresher of this uh I'm sure that members of the registars's office will be able to uh answer some questions or perhaps provide u a link uh to some video explaining this. So just wanted you to get that on your calendar. 12 C uh an additional appropriation referencing Villa Heights housing project for the planning zoning and inspections department. Mr. Wagner,

so this is another appropriation related to the Villa Heights housing project and it's good that we're bringing in outside money for this. We're asking for an additional appropriation of $325,000 that we have received from the Harvest Foundation as part of this project. Uh the additional funds would assist in lowering the overall purchase price of the home by $25,000 each for each of the 13 homes that are planned for that neighborhood. Okay. The board has background material on this and I think it uh explains u in detail uh as to what this is for. Mr. Lawless, this is in uh your district.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion that we approve the 325,000 um in order to do the Villa Heights project and everything included. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor is uh 6. Uh, Jennifer 12D, an additional appropriation referencing economic development administration grant for the engineering and mapping department. Mr. Wagner,

s we've talked about the highway 58 west sewer line project in the horse community previously. Um, we're coming to you today to ask approval of an additional appropriation $958,960 received from the United States Economic Development Administration um for this project. When we applied for the grant, they were applied for by both the PSA and the county and it is a joint application. However, the EDA recognizes Henry County as the primary grantee which will require uh the reimbursement of funds and then passed them through to the PSA which is uh managing the ongoing project. So once we appropriate funds, we'll turn the funds over to the PSA foration of this project.

All right. Thank you for that and the background material that's been provided. Miss Buchanan, I believe that this primarily affects your district, although it is a countywide project. It is. And I think uh sometimes people get tired of me saying water and sewer, water and sewer. But um I'm happy to uh make the motion to approve the additional appropriation of $958,960 received from the Virginia Economic Development Administration. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Uh Jennifer 12E an award of contract referencing call handling equipment for the 911 center. Mr. Wagner is ti director of the marginal inner county joint 911 centers asking the board of supervisors toward a contract of $51,968 to mobile communications of America located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The contract will allow for continued maintenance support for the 911 center call handling equipment. Director Dillard explains that MCA is the original installer and sole authorizing for maintenance and support on the equipment. Our purchasing department has authorized this as a sole source procurement and funding for this contract is included in the 911 centers fiscal year 2026 operating budget and mission

in regards to the awarding of this contract. What action would the board like to take? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to award the soul source contract $51,968 to Mobile Communications America for maintenance on the 911 center. call handling equipment as requested. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is uh 6. Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item 13,formational items. I'll begin by taking comments from the board. Starting with Dr. Cobble. Uh no I don't have anything except to say that with a lot of com I'll say communication that we have just recommend that individuals constituents I do highly uh invite and ask people to communicate with me through email or phone and that's the best way to get a response because out in the community when there's a lot of just just community conversations it's hard for me to to document everything that everyone is saying or asking. So, I'm trying to get the word out to just get individuals to email me and and Mr. Wagner, they can find email and phone on our Henry County website.

Correct. Yes. And so, I just like to ask people to do that. Again, love the communication. I love the outreach and the networking and being involved, but that will be the best way. And I'll say that also if someone leaves just calls. I've probably had the same number call. Well, I'll say repeatedly, but if I don't get a message, then I'm least likely to return an unknown call number. So, again, just asking people to find the email and the phone number and if they do, if it is important, please leave a message. And then everybody stay safe in the ice and snow.

I'm going to comment briefly before going to Mr. Puit. Uh, I actually had what could have potentially been an infectious uh attachment to a uh form of social media sent to me, which I do not use. And I would caution board members that you may get messages from time to time on an unauthorized site and opening that attachment could spell a nightmare for you. And uh I had uh our uh director of IT check that out today and uh we both agreed that um uh what was sent to me was probably uh not meant um in the best regard as far as opening. It could have potentially uh infected a lot of different things. So thank you for bringing that up, Dr. Cotton. Mr. Puit,

I don't have anything. Uh Mr. Dylan,

yeah, just a couple things. one, Ariel Johnson of the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition messaged me as I was on my way over and she just wanted us to know that um her and her team will be out at 6:30 p.m. tonight on through the night. And if you see folk with flashlights in your neighborhood, you know, they're um you know, it's the point in time count and it helps them to better understand and to respond to homelessness. And she just wanted me to make sure I mention that. And then the other thing I want to, you know, kind of mention, it's been a tough week for me. I'm just going to be honest with you just and I don't even know if this is an appropriate setting, but like I just need to, you know, get it off of me, but you know, just home all week and just watching all that's going on around the world and it's really bothersome to me. And I just want to, you know, state, you know, in Henry County, let's be different. Let's not, you know, get caught up in all of this other stuff that's happening around the world and let's truly work together. Let's put aside political differences because I can vote for one person, but I can see humanity in a whole different way. My political opinions has nothing to do with, you know, humanity. And let's stop letting political affiliations dictate how we respond. Right is right, wrong is wrong. And that's regardless of whether you are a politician, whether you're my mom, my cousin, my brother, my friend. If you're wrong, you're wrong. And we've got to stand for right and stand against wrong. Um, and if we don't, you know, we just keep promoting more and more hatred and we're just going in a really, really bad direction. And, you know, I've got kids and they got to grow up in this world. And it's just sad to think that just because of who they vote for might dictate how they view something, not whether it's right or whether it's wrong. Not all the teachers that we get

on Sunday mornings about what's right and what's wrong, but because I vote for this person, I see it this way. Because you vote for this person, we look at the same thing and we see it differently. And I want Henry County to you, let's be different. And then as decision makers, we can't be biased. If I'm a biased decision maker, I should not be a decision maker. I have to be able to look at things from a standpoint of what's best, what's right, what's good for the community. And if I can't do that, then I'm not a decision maker. I'm just somebody that's continuing, you know, things of the old, you know, and I just want to, you know, get that off of me and maybe I can actually rest tonight.

All right. Thank you for those comments, Mr. Bennett. No, sir. Mr. laws.

I think it's my first official my first official meeting um as being on the board and I want to say that this board has been gracious in inviting me and helping me with all the questions that I've had. I am still learning. I'm the new kid on the block. I'm learning every day. But I'm telling you, business I mean politics is harder in business and I'm going to tell you that every day of the week until I learn more about it. But I'm learning every day. I'm going to do the best I can for Collinsville and not only Collinsville but Henry County. And for the people that still don't like me, I'm gonna do the best for you, too, because that's what I'm here to do. And I want to say thank you for taking the time to have me here. All right. Thank you, Mr. Lawless. Um, I want to uh and I know we have some appropriations and contracts in regard uh but uh my comments going to be centered 911 center folks. Please pass on to them that we appreciate their dedication. Uh this um past weekend, as I've mentioned, it could have been horrible. If you don't believe it, look at uh pictures of Nashville, Tennessee, and that surrounding area and what those folks are going through. And equally as much, uh I'm going to uh defer the rest of my time to Sheriff Davis to come up and talk about what your officers have gone through for the last several days and your department. It's pretty much been business as usual for us. Um, you know, we prepared for this winter storm. Uh, we got a lot more ice than we expected. Poor road conditions. Uh, we put out a couple road reports. Um, as you see, even today, our secondary roads remain in poor conditions. Been talking with BT representatives uh yesterday. They simply cannot get those roads cleared because of the the temperatures. In fact, the snow blades are doing absolutely nothing for the highways. So, they're had to resort. The only clearing they're able to do right now is through

the use of motor grader and breaking that ice, which is a very slow process. Uh the temperatures are not expected to get up much out of the 30s until the end part of next week. So, we don't really see much improvement on our secondary roads until next week. And that's depending on how much we get with this next snowstorm. As you've seen, our forecast range is anywhere from 4 to 12 in. And it's all over the place just like the previous storm. So again, the sheriff's office, it's just business usual. You know, many years ago, we switched over. All our vehicles are all-wheel drive. So we're prepared and equipped for this as far as this storm goes. Uh Virginia State Police, VOTE, the county, the sheriff's office, everyone made large social media efforts to keep people off the highways. And I think for the most part, it worked. And in fact, uh I'm absolutely astounded and only by the grace of God, we had very few accidents during the course of this storm here in Henry County. And so I think that's a testament to the good common sense of people who live here staying off the highways. So again, thanks for people that tuning in on social media. Thanks for staying off the highways unless it was an emergency. And I think really paid dividends because we had a a very low volume of traffic accidents here in Henry County. And overall, we were blessed to have a low volume of calls in general. So I'll answer any specific questions you have about it. Well, we thank you all along with 911 center for the communication that you're putting out in the community specifically that in regard to the dangerous situations of staying off the road and I appreciate it and I hope board members you'll encourage others in your community. Thank an officer. thank them for the time and commitment that uh they've uh put forth under what would be considered by most folks unreasonable circumstances. And just as you said from the beginning, you all been doing a job as you do all along, including uh uh I guess um

for lack of better way of saying it, uh if it's drugreated, it doesn't stop because the weather keeps going. No, it's business as usual for us. No matter rank shy leaders know we're here. I'm noticing sheriff you have and hope this doesn't put you on the spot but you have a larger delegation with you at this meeting. Is there a reason that you have

we were prepared to answer any questions about the animal shelter project. I think it's going to be presented by Mr. Powell at some point during your meeting. So with me is a a lot of folks but they're all in one way or another uh they have vested interest in the manager shelter project. We have our animal services deputies here with us and Major Harold who's has previously overseen the shelter. So, we're prepared to answer pretty much any questions you guys and support Mr. Pal's presentation. So, that's why we have the number of people we have here today. Okay. All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Wagner.

Just uh a reminder, your budget planning session is scheduled for Monday, February 9th, 3 p.m. at the public safety complex located at 1024 Dupont Road. And I appreciate you uh mentioning the storm response and preparation for that storm. Uh on Monday, a week ago, I was out of town for a few days and uh I'm just real proud of the the county team and the PSA team that uh it was well planned and well prepared for even in my absence. I didn't have to worry about a thing while I was out of town for a few days. Um, so we we often hear of the sheriff's office and a public safety folks doing a tremendous job, but when a storm of the magnitude of anticipation of 21 ines of snow is coming our way, that could be debilitating to our community and it takes a lot more than just those agencies. and uh with J.R.'s leadership and um public safety director Tim Gunford, the sheriff, we had a lot of um preparatory steps in place that worked uh flawlessly. The plan was executed and thank goodness we didn't need it all. And just to give you a couple examples, u you know, our fire departments, uh we were fortunate over the last year we got grants to install generators and over all our fire departments. So, we're able in advance of the storm to put out that, hey, if you run out of power, you need a place to charge your phone or need a place to warm up, you can go to the fire departments where, you know, a year ago we would not been able to offer that service to them. our maintenance folks who uh started working on Friday nights sleeping at our building. You know, we had cotss and pillows for them to make sure we could get uh the gas pumps open and police cars could get to the gas pumps and our buildings could open up as quickly as we could get them back open to the public. Uh our 911 center staffed up extra to take extra calls. Our public

safety folks to to better facilitate. They uh our rescue squads were very generous. Our public safety folks spent the night in Bass Rescue Squad, Horse Bass Rescue Squad. I think maybe Ridgeway. So, they were reporting to those locations instead of having to travel more than they should. Um, and one other thing, I mean, we we were fortunate that we were able to coordinate with the Appalachin Power to have all their additional resources were staged in Henry County at our public safety complex. So had we had widespread power outages, we would have been the first ones to get our power out. So u kudos to the entire county PSA team. I'm very proud of what they've done this past week and I wouldn't expect anything less, but thank you for recognizing.

Thank you. All right.

All right. Uh with that, that takes us to agenda item 14. if someone will uh cite uh the reason uh based on the uh freedom of information act and the code of Virginia that will allow us to enter into closed meeting. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion the board convenes in a closed meeting as permitted under the following sections of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act 2.23711A1 for discussion of appointees to the Industrial Development Authority and the Dan River Alcohol Safety Action Board. 2.23711 A7 for discussion of pending legal matters. 2.23711 A3 for discussion of the acquisition disposal of real estate. 2.2371185 for discussion as yet unannounced industries. 2.23711A30 discussion of contract negotiations and 2.23711 A11 for discussion of special awards. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor is 6 Jennifer. Uh board members, I'll see you upstairs with five minutes of closed meeting on a motion by M. Can second by Mr. Puit. Mr. Pow, will you pull the board, please?

Yes, sir. Board members to the best of your knowledge on public business matters exempted from open meeting requirements under Governor Union section 2.2-3711 3711 heard discussed or considered close meeting. Yes, sir. Mr. Long. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Mr. Yes, sir. Dr. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Okay, that takes us um with no business coming out of closed meeting, that takes us to agenda item number 15. Mr. Pal. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just we just want to take a few minutes tonight um to give the board an update on a project that we've been working on probably for almost two years on now on uh this project regarding an animal services shelter um for for Henry County. It's been on the CIP list. It's been in discussions now for several years. Yes, ma'am. It's not going to be on here. You get that brand.

Well, do you want us to come down so we can see it? Come down. I have some hard copies. I'll provide you guys as well.

Okay. I fall asleep. Wake me up.

All right. So yeah, we just wanted to provide an update on a project that we've been working with uh with the sheriff's department. Thank you all for being here this evening as well. They'll be glad to answer any questions. But um as you all know, the shelter uh under code of Virginia section 3-2-6546 requires the governing body of each county or city to maintain a public animal shelter. And I encourage you to go online and look at that code section. It's very extensive as to the requirements that we have as a county uh to provide uh the animal shelter for our community. Um our existing animal shelter, let me back up just a little bit. This this project started, like I mentioned, it' been on our CIP, our capital improvement projects list for several years, probably around 5 years. It's been talked about well beyond that. Um, but anyways, it's it's progressed down to uh where we are today and I'll give you some background on it. So, our current shelter was constructed. We had to look back in our board of supervisors meeting minutes and we found in August of 1978 where the chairman referenced the opening recent opening of our animal shelter. So, sometime around that date in 1978 it was open for business. Uh last year um the animal ser the uh animal shelter manager provided me these numbers from 2025. They had a 1,884 animal intakes and with an average 3 to four week average length of stay per animal um at our shelter. 15% adoption rate with many of those animals being transferred to other adoption facilities uh throughout the state. Um the there's no question the facility has exceeded its operational effectiveness with today's demands for animal services. There's just not enough room for the

volume of cats and dogs and other animals the sheriff will tell you about that uh they've had to deal with uh over the past several years. The building it itself if you've been in it um I encourage you to to take a look at it. It's uh has many concerns. one, there's no area to bathe dogs, which carries several health related concerns. There's no quarantine areas for dogs or cats. Um, so when you when an animal is brought in with the disease that there's nowhere to secure them away from the other population of animals there to medically treat them, there's extremely poor interior drainage inside of the facility, which makes it very difficult to keep clean. Uh, there's no intake room for animals. There's no salad port. I don't have that on there. There's no sally port, which uh is a location where the animal control officers can unload the animals safely. Um there's many other issues related specifically to the facility itself. Um that list could go on and on. So, how did we get to where we're at? In August of 2024, this board awarded a contract to RRMM Architects out of Reno uh for architectural and engineering services related to a potential animal services shelter. So, what does that mean? RRMM came here, met with staff uh toward our existing facility. Uh they're very well uh knowledgeable in constructing these types of shelters. They've done many in Virginia. Uh so they they came listened to our needs and they came back with a proposal in January of 2025. After four months of meeting, having several virtual meetings, in person meetings, they came back in 2025 um and provided a summary and preliminary renderings of a proposed animal services shelter. And I'll share those pictures with you here in just a minute. The location that was identified

for the animal services shelter is on property owned by Henry County, which is adjacent currently to the Henry County adult detention center on Dupont Road, which was a good thing. So, we already have owned the property. Um, summer of this past summer, the city of Martinsville reached out to us and voiced their interest in joining a potentially project of doing a combined animal services shelter. uh the architects had to come back and meet with the city and include them in the project and we'll go over those numbers uh as well. So today um what we're discussing today um was the combined animal services shelter if that was the direction we decided to go. So the shelter that's being proposed by the architects um and when I will say this out front when we met with them initially they understood that we were not looking for a Taj Mahal animal shelter but we were looking for a shelter that met our requirements under the code of Virginia that said what services we have to provide to these animals. So the facility that is being proposed is an 11,65 gross square foot facility. It has 24 single and six double adoption dog runs. There's seven small breed or puppy dog runs. There are six quarantine dog runs, 24 adoption cat crates, 12 quarantine and 12 stray cat crates. And there's differences there. Uh there's a also includes a 177 square ft outdoor cat uh patio. puts an enclosed outdoor patio, if you will. There's office space for three animal control officers as well as a shelter manager in the plans as well as designated areas for grooming, food preparations, storage, interior,

sallyport, and other areas for animal services operations. Um, show you just these were the preliminary renderings uh before we started discussing with the city of doing a combined shelter. The only difference is they added some additional runs, some additional uh areas for the cats as well. Just had to expand the actual runs themselves. Um this is just some some aerial pictures, renderings of the shelter that they're proposing. Uh the area that you're seeing me do it or not. Yeah, it doesn't show up on yours. But this the building that you're seeing there, that is the actual dog runs. As you can see, it's separate from the actual main building where the office space where the intake area is at where people who's come in uh to possibly adopt the cats or the dogs. That's kept separately from the dog runs themselves, which if you've ever been in our animal shelter, you can hardly speak to one another because of all the dogs barking. So that's taken into consideration with the shelters that they're constructing. Now this is the property. Um so if you the very bottom of the picture is the adult detention center. It's just off the picture, but you can see the uh the the entrance way of DuPont Road. So if you're familiar with the adult detention center, the property that they're proposing is just before the adult detention center on the right. It's in that little wedge of uh property there. Um, that's the footprint that they're proposing for the shelter inside. Um, and I'll give you all some handouts so you can look at this a little closer, but this is the layout of uh the shelter that they're proposing. Uh, the light blue areas are the the operational area, if you will. The green areas are the dog and cat um facilities,

if you will, there. Again, we can um zoom into some of them there, but there's a separation there. You can see from the dog runs to the actual building. There's a walkway in between there and so on. But again, I'll give you some hard copies of those. So, budgetary cost, uh combined Henry County and Martnville, if we did a combined shelter, the estimated cost is $5.9 million. uh combined shelter would fall under the management of the Henry County Sheriff. There would be a separate budget specifically assigned just for the animal services shelter. Our preliminary annual budget estimates are right around $600,000. And that that includes one shelter manager and two full-time employees. Uh as far as the animal control officers, they will be funded separately as they are currently. The sheriff's department will continue to uh provide their own animal control officers. The city of Martinsville will provide their own animal patrol officers and pay for those separately. Um and just initial discussion, the cost sharing formula is based on a 2/3 one-third uh city county split for the project if we decided to move forward with that. Um and that's pretty much just a a brief overview of where we're at today with that. Um kind of next steps would be if we decided to move forward with this animal shelter project would be the architects and engineers would be developing the actual construction documents so that we could put it out for bid and get a solid price for construction of the facility when we decided to do that and I'd welcome the sheriff

I think Mr. Pow code is pretty well the facts the case as they are and uh we just like to say this is not a want of the sheriff's office. This is a need. Uh we have issues constantly with the state veterinarian's office. They come and oversee this property. Uh we've been fortunate enough for them to grandfather in many things that uh are out of compliance across the board. We're out of compliance with issues related to the animal shelter due to the age of it. Um, I don't know if you know, but we have no heat in the shelter right now. None. Went out the day before the uh the storm. We had to contact the Virginia Department of Corrections. We had to get a temporary waiver to move 36 dogs into the new jail. And so to house them inside the jail. We moved them back today. We worked with county maintenance. Uh Dustin has arranged some temporary heating to be put in there, but there's constant maintenance problems with the facility. So again, this is not just a a or projective a desire to to spend money on. It's a true need because we are obligated by state law and under obligation by state law to run the facility has to be ran in accordance with the Virginia State Veterinarian's office and we've been fined by and so they they come in inspect facility regularly and this will help to come into compliance and there are many animal lovers in our community, myself included, that this is important to you. So, we appreciate your consideration and be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Anyone have any questions this time? Um, Mr. Wagner. Um, would this be appropriate that we could move this discussion further as we uh start into the planning session on February the 9th and uh allow some time to at least discuss um this as part of our capital improvement and budgetary items. Yeah, I think that's a very fair statement. I think there is a consensus that there is a need for this very bad need. We just got to figure out and that can be part of our budget. Do you need that formally?

Okay. I I would like to just, you know, cuz I know we talked about separate or with Martinsville, would you if this came to fruition, would there be any issues or concerns or things that would need to be worked out if it was a joint facility with Martinsville? And I hate to put you on the spot, but just asking without going into it too much here at this forum. Um, there's always concerns when you enter into an agreement under the locality. However, I I work great with the chief of police. Um, the current city manager, uh, Mr. Fetcher and I, we work great together. I have no concerns about those individuals and or our ability to operate together. So, okay.

We work, our animal patrol officers work well with the city's animal patrol officers. Those are not concerns I have. The daily operations uh between ourselves and the Marshall Police Department are of no concern. We have a great working relationship with them. Okay. Thank you. When you're when you're saying the compliance issue, is there are are we fined? I mean, do we pay fines every year? I'm gonna ask her. He's previously oversaw the animal shelter. Okay. um he's worked hand in hand with the state veterinarian's office and he is far more aware of the actual daily operations dealing with the state veterinar he can probably explain a little better some of the areas we're out of compliance in

okay I guess what is it costing us not to comply I would I mean

well when the state comes in they have the right to find you for anything they find it's not following VA act regulations in the past they have um imposed fines on us and stuff like that, but they most times they are very willing to work with us and try to help us find a solution because they do know that the shelter is, you know, an old shelter and it needs a lot of upkeeping and stuff like that. Um, but there is that opportunity that they can come in tomorrow. I mean, technically they can shut you down if they wanted to. Um, so pretty much they, you know, what they say will go. Um, but we have in the past had to have had some fines from them and stuff like that. then we have so so many days to you know offer solutions to them how to correct the issues and stuff like that.

So basically that's that's what you've been doing. How how long have you been out of compliance?

Um I mean it the shelter's probably been out of compliance for probably the last few decades 15 20 years honestly. I mean because you know they they have new mandates about what type of flooring you can use in them, what type of um walls that you can have up in them. Now they have to be non-porous, you know, where water can get to and stuff like that. And you know, our euthanasia room um you know, that's one of the things that we got hit on before is because we store stuff in there because we had lack of storage space and you're not supposed to have you know, your euthanasia room is supposed to be locked at all times. only certain people can go in there and actually only the people who have the euthanasia class are supposed to be able to go in there and you know be in that room and is this uh situation now where for lack of space we have to keep other things in there.

Let me ask you something. You mentioned euthanasia. This might not be the proper time to ask this but what percentage of uh animals on a yearly basis are euthanized? Um so we technically classified as a no kill shelter. Uh there is a percentage on that that uh we really strive to not euthanize any animals that are not either medically necessary andor animals who are highly aggressive. So those are the primary animals that get euthanized. It is not a regular practice of the Henry County Animal Shelter to euthanize animals for space. I'm not going to say that never happens, but we are in compliance to be considered a no kill shelter.

Thank you. Okay, any other questions? Mr. Powell, thank you for the presentation. Sheriff and officers, thank you all uh as well uh for that. Um we are moving into a uh fragmented uh what is typically a evening portion. Uh VOTE is not here for general highway matters. I would encourage you if you have any concerns to contact uh them uh directly. Are they stuck in the snow on the highway?

Oh yeah, I'm sure they haven't heard from anyone on that. So, and uh we've taken care of uh uh agenda item 17 earlier uh this afternoon, presentation by all vets. We certainly would invite them to uh participate in one of our future meetings. And uh that takes us to agenda item 19, matters presented by the public. Is there anyone desiring to address the board under matters presented by the public?

Okay. I have a brief policy statement to read as you're coming to the podium. This is a time for public comment. We welcome your participation in tonight's meeting. We're here to listen to you. Um, as you come to the podium, state your name, your subject matter, and the district in which you live. By coming to the podium, you've agreed that you will expect exhibit respect for the board and its members and the staff. You will receive the same consideration. Please try to keep your presentation 3 to five minutes. Thank you.

My name is Ryan Gourd. I'm in the Blackberry District and I want to touch base on the animal shelter. I don't know if you guys have been in the shelter or visited the shelter, but before you make a decision about um, you know, not approving any funds or moving forward, please come and visit the shelter. Me and my husband volunteer there. There is a desperate need for a shelter. The sheriff said it was a need for the sheriff's office. It's a need for the community. I moderate one of the adoption pages and there's so many people in the community that feel like I can't take my animal to the shelter for surrender. They may move, their circumstances may change. They may be homeless and have to surrender their animal. Their first instinct is to think that we're going to kill their dog or their cat. And that's not what we want to do. You know, the shelter's outdated. There's been many times we've been there. There's been seizure cases of the 106 animals that were just seized. That shelter is built in 1978 to hold about 22 dogs. Imagine 106 coming in. What do you do with them? Where do they go? What about the ones that were already there? There may be strays. What do you do with them? Do you euthanize the strays? You can't. There's laws preventing that. You know, the 106 that were seized. If they were seized and not given over by the owners, where do you house them when you do? We rely on rescues, other partnering, you know, shelters to help us with those. without more space, you know, what do we do with these animals? So, that's my concern. Me and my husband have rescued about 200 just from Henry County alone. A majority of them coming from the Collinsville district. And we've had help with Lynchburg, Franklin County Humane Society, not much from the SPCA, um Henry County's help, you know, take these animals and find rescue for them. So, I'm just asking before you finalize any decisions, just please come walk through this the shelter, see for yourself while you need it.

Okay, that's really all I have to say. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else desiring to address the board under matters presented by the public? Um, prior to adjournment, Mr. Wagner, do you have any items for the board's consideration? Board members, do you have any? If not, I will accept a motion for a journal. So moved. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor is uh 6 Jennifer. Everyone have a good evening and be safe out there.