Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

I call the 3 p.m. meeting of the May 26, 2026 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 seven days in advance of any of our regular meetings to be put on the agenda. The county administrator is a contact person for the board. However, the public also may address the board under the agenda item matters presented by the public that will take up as agenda item number 24 in tonight's meeting again welcome everyone thank you for coming out and being a part of your county government our first agenda item that we need to uh consider is agenda item number five items of consent what is the pleasure of the board

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's five with one absent, Jennifer. Agenda item number six, we'll have a monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts. We have with us County Treasurer Tiffany S. Harrison. Welcome.

For personal property taxes, as of April 30th, 2026, we collected 88.61% of the 2025 personal property taxes.

We collected a total of $330,620.36 in the month. For real estate, as of April 30th, 2026, we collected 94.76%.

Does anyone have any questions for Ms. Harrison at this time?

thank you thank you you always smile when they say they don't have it okay agenda item number seven we'll have an update on the progress of broadband installation in henry county mr wagner we have with us today mr zach church from river street network to provide an

Good afternoon, board. Again, my name is Zach Church. I'm director of engineering construction for River Street. I'm going to give you just a little update of the project. This is Valley 22 and Valley 23, part of the west project. I think you all are probably very well aware of the number of miles, locations, things like that. But I did have that slide in here again as well. We all know that meat has been a big part of what's going on and has been part of the delays that we've seen from our side. Conditional meat locations offered some financial hiccups as far as making sure all those funds were available. It has made the whole project much larger as a whole. For Henry County, there's about 2,000 locations that we're treated and involved with. So we've got to do a lot of redesigns, go back and make sure we're picking up all these customers. The contracts have been submitted back to the state or federal level for me, but we've not gotten um you know the slide with the the locations the financials things like that um the different areas we've got there roswell irishburg or middle ridge those areas we do have them i hope to have completed uh by q4 26 about 1343 passes it's got the patty 22 and 23 breakdowns there Most of the movement we've seen on the project here is involved with our partner here, AEP. They've built, a sneak of the mouth, the main line that's happened here. And working together with Rob and his team, see the breakdown here you probably see a slide similar to this from him but we've got all the details and everything submitted to AP coming off of their network with the exception of the last three I think on the notes there it says Figsboro is there. Figsboro is installed other than some 72 tails that we need to get there, but that's all the three or four tails. We do have the remaining tails cut in our office, ready to go install in the field. And I don't know if you guys are aware of what that is. They're building aerial. We're going buried thereafter. So we hand them anywhere from 150 to 250 for the cable. We have to set that pole ready for them. When they go to splice it, do their testing on their main line, they'll connect that in. so we can put it in the ground and then go from there. Some of them will service customers right off that line while others will have to be built down side roads and things like that. That process has gone really well so far. We have accepted the Fielddale Spencer test from AP. Do I have any questions or comments for me?

The slide previous to the Henry County slide that you just had the one. Yes. Can you repeat what you said about that, please? I'm interested in the Q4 2026. Is that a timeline?

That's what we're shooting for right now. I know some of you guys are aware of the cap or the corrective action. corrective action plan we are working with the state we're still doing everything on their side to do that once the finances everything gets squarely involved in the B we're ready to get a week me and my team on the engineering side have continued work Getting everything ready for permits to start construction as quickly as possible. Just held to those restraints right here at the moment. The majority of the building locations are pinned down. Leases on several of them. And I said we're doing everything we can to be ready to go as soon as we can. Cut loose there.

We were given a very lengthy explanation at the West Piedmont Planning Commission. and a lot of great information and some of that may or may not go over our heads when you're talking about miles and fiber and all of that what we heard was the main reason for the delay was finance is that would you agree with that yes ma'am when you get

When you add feed into this, and you look at it just as Henry County, but you look at it as the West project and then the rest of the project we're doing in the state of Virginia, it almost doubled the overall locations passed for everything. So it did make it a little more tricky for us when that comes to making sure all the finances and everything were buttoned up. So once that happens, Like I said, I've been working with my team of in-house guys, our contract engineers, to make sure we've got everything ready to go just as quickly as possible.

And then my last, just every presentation I ask this, and thank you for providing an update. We're doing a quarterly. That's really helpful. How many people in Henry County have internet now? And what is the percentage

of the increase from the last time and if you're not i mean i don't know if you'd be prepared i knew that rob was prepared to answer that but you can just send us the information yeah let me send it to you okay um i'll tell you this i know there's not an increase since the last time okay yeah um but i will say there's a few there's not many of them it's my understanding has been made available to 26 residents okay okay

That was my question. Would you go back to that last slide? A moment. All right. Help me to understand. So with the process, only 26 people have been serviced thus far. Is that right? Okay. And you're talking about your timeline. Do you feel like you can meet that timeline?

I think it's an ambitious goal. There's a lot of ground to cover through that. I think we're doing everything from my perspective as far as getting things ready for permits and all that stuff, materials, to get ahead of any further delays. But it is going to be a tough target.

All right. A couple of things. I hear what you're saying. Do you have a projection of completion for everything?

Not at the moment. I hate to misspeak on that, but we can definitely get you a better idea.

Because I'm sure all of us have had people to ask us how far along you are and when they might expect to get the service. And we don't know. I mean, we don't know. So any of those questions that you can help answer for us would help us with our constituents.

It's certainly been very frustrating to make a promise a year or so ago, actually been talking about almost five years now. And the residents want it. They still demand it. And we have no answer to give them. So we've reiterated that Appalachian power industry every month. But we are hopeful that they're making good progress now that they got most of the fiber home on the Appalachian poles .

Well, I think you answered the question. People thought they would have had it before now.

Yes, ma'am.

And it's hard for us to explain to them why it has not been done.

And one thing we'll do is we won't wait until everybody's ready to go to hook it up. We've got AVs installed on the lines. We'll have that ready to turn up pretty quickly. So at least the folks along those lines can start, you know, start getting it you know talking to their neighbors about it things like that they'll know what to expect and then this would just continue to be able to be small pockets that pop up so we'll get them lit as quickly as we possibly can and as a reminder they can still go on to a link

apologize Dale or Mr. Wagner sometimes I'm like call the administration they'll they can let you know at least when your address would the projection of when their address would projection when they would get it so the best avenues for them to go to myroomstreet.net website put in their address and sign up and

Trust me, as soon as they can sell it to them, they'll be reaching out to them in advance. So that puts them in the queue to have that information and say they're interested. And as soon as it's in the very near future, River Street will reach back to those residents to say it's time to sign up now.

Thank you.

Any other questions? Zach, thank you.

Thank you.

Takes us to agenda item number eight, consideration of a resolution in support of an economic development administration grant application for the engineering and mapping department. Mr. Wagner.

years to couple up enough money to extend Beaver Creek Drive into the Patriot Center. So if you would indulge me for a minute, I've asked our engineer, Tim Pace, to come give you an update on the entire project. And then after that, we ask your approval of the resolution to ask for another $850,000 from VDOT that will give us, excuse me, the EDA that will get us the final money we need to get this project moving.

As you know, we have a new controller that's under construction. We just sold the Shell Building, so we're running out of space in the Pantry Center to develop. And the extension of Beaver Creek Drive would provide us access to four additional lots that would degrade and improve the traffic pattern in the Pantry Center. We've secured funding from the Congressional Discretionary Fund. There's $2.1 million. Tobacco is about $1.5 million, and we just received that we received funding from ARC access for an additional six hundred and some thousand which gives us about four point three million so the resolution you have in front of you will provide another eight hundred fifty thousand dollars worth of grant funds for this project I would add that if we're successful in getting that we have no local money in this road project which is always good

Any questions of Tim? The board has, as mentioned, an attachment of a proposed resolution which details the intent of everything and the county's commitment. What is the pleasure of the board in regard to this resolution?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the resolution supporting an Economic Development Administration grant application for the Beaver Creek Extension Project. I second.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Five with one absent. Jennifer. Agenda item number nine will take up financial matters beginning with 9A, an additional appropriation referencing asset forfeiture funds for the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Mr. Wagner.

Commonwealth Attorney Andrew Nestor is asking the board to approve an federal asset forfeiture funds. Mr. Nestor has indicated the funds will be used to cover office travel expenses.

All right. The board has background material on this as well. What is the pleasure of the board as far as this appropriation?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $17,425 from the federal asset forfeiture funds as requested.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. 9B, an additional appropriation referencing Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services grant for the Piedmont Community Services. Mr. Wagner.

The staff is asking the board to approve an additional appropriation of $149,935 received from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. through their Bernie Justice Assistance Grant program. The grant is a flow-through grant with Piedmont Community Services where they will use the funds to support our local recovery court, commonly known as Drug Court, to assist them with staffing and educational and recreational activities and provide educational programs.

Okay, thank you. In regards to this additional appropriation, what is the pleasure of the board?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $149,935 received from the Justice Assistance Grant Program, as was requested.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? There's five. There was one absent. Jennifer? 9C, an additional appropriation referencing school nutrition budget for the school board. Mr. Waggoner?

The school board has requested an additional appropriation of $1,100,000 to the school nutrition budget for their Shummel Food Services program. The program will provide weekly meal kits mailed directly to the homes of participating children in Haney County. And according to a memorandum from Superintendent Dr. Andy Blake-Lewis, the funds will be

All right. What action would the board like to take in regard to the request for this additional appropriation?

I have a question.

Yes, sir. I hope you have a good answer. I may. Excuse me.

I wasn't aware that actually you mailed them. When did that start?

This year is the first year that we're actually doing that. We did an RFP and we chose the PepsiCo company and they delivered the UPS. We actually have about 4,200 children that are receiving these packages. Really?

Did they have to sign up for that?

Their parents signed up, yes. It's any child from ages 1 to 18. People can still sign up.

And do those children have to attend Henry County Public Schools or just be in Henry County during the summer?

Or is it a? That's a great question. Okay. They can live in the city, but we'll still deliver the meals there. Okay.

Dr. Bing, you said they still could sign up. Didn't the original notification have a cutoff date that's already passed?

If you wanted to go ahead and start receiving the meals we had in the original cutoff date, but we've been communicating that with our parents. They can still sign up and receive meals over the summer. Thank you.

You did an RFP? Yes, ma'am. Did you see an increase, you think, with that?

Last year we had a little bit over 900, and right now we're at like 4,150. Yeah, that's big.

I mean, as far as delivering them, that's a big difference.

Does anyone have any other questions or clarification needed?

And we're still doing congregate meals at the schools that we have summer school. So if a family that didn't sign up for this wants to come to the schools during summer school, that they can come, and the cafeteria there will make a meal for them.

I did have one question. Are the items perishable? They're prepackaged. Prepackaged. Okay. All right.

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $1,100,000 to the school nutrition budget for the summer food service program. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is five with one absent. Jennifer? 9D, a categorical transfer referencing parking lot paving for the school board. Mr. Wagner.

The school board is requesting that Board of Survivors approve a categorical transfer of $989,921 from the instruction category to the operations and maintenance category. According to a memorandum from the superintendent, the funds will be used for a parking lot paving project in the little parking lot.

Okay, in regard to this transfer, what action would the board like to take?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the categorical transfer of $989,921 as requested. Is there a second? I second. Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any discussion?

All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. 9E, a categorical transfer referencing school nutrition bonuses for the school board. Mr. Wagoner.

The school board is requesting approval of a categorical transfer of $156,519 from the instruction category to the nutrition category. And according to the superintendent, the funds will be used to provide a bonus for eligible

In regard to this categorical transfer, what action does the board desire to take?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the categorical transfer of $156,519 as requested. Is there a second?

Well, I'm interested. I don't know about the discussion.

Can I add a little extra context to that? And it's related to the next item on our agenda as well.

The Commonwealth of Virginia amended their- Do we have to get a second and then have the conversation or do we?

Okay. We should have a second and then you're exactly right. Okay. Yes. Is there a second?

I second.

Okay, now discussion. Please ask your question.

Oh, I was just interested in moving the instructional stuff, Dr. Boone, just to these categories. What happened in the instruction?

we actually received state funding for this bonus and we're at school nutrition staff are considered support staff members we can use that money to go towards nutritional staff so this is additional money that you had came to you from instruction and you just you just wanted to move this money that we received from the state for the bonus well okay now now we are providing that bonus to other employees that go above the soq positions um so so yes there is instructional money going towards that but it's from savings where certain positions certain counselor positions or teaching positions weren't filled oh okay thank you okay other questions or any clarification needed we do have a motion and a second

All in favor? That's five with one absent. Jennifer?

Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a comment. And I think what we just heard from Mr. Boone tells me that the difference between lump sum funding and categorical funding, you answered a number of questions that I wouldn't have been able to ask because I wouldn't have known to ask them. But I appreciate you answering them. Thank you.

Thank you for being here, Dr. Boone. Thank you for that comment, Ms. Buchanan. Agenda item 9F, an additional appropriation and approval of FY2026 bonus. Mr. Wagner, you made reference to this?

General Assembly amended the current year budget which was House Bill 29 that provided a one-time bonus to school employees with standards of quality positions of $1,500. They also included funding of a 2% bonus for state supporting constitutional officers and their employees in henry county as you know many of our employees outside of constitutional officers perform similar work they support the same core mission and work alongside these positions but are not included in the state action to keep treatment of employees consistent and to recognize the contribution of the entire organization staff recommends the board authorize at one time 2% bonus for eligible county employees that are not covered by House Bill 29, using local funds to ensure we're promoting equity and support employee morale. On a related note, last Monday, the Public Service Authority Board approved the same contingent upon your approval.

Okay, in regard to 2% to all full-time county employees, and we have the appropriate financial background added to this. Thank you to Mr. Jones for that. What is the pleasure of the board?

One question when you said the backup, and I'm not seeing it here, what is the total amount?

think it was $549 I believe $569,850 excuse me $549,850 keep in mind that a lot of that is from the comp award the local money that we are having to come up with is $237,783 we have to appropriate the money coming from the comp award

And just for our constituents, what is the comp money? Just, I'm not, I don't, I'm not sure that everybody would understand what that means.

So Commonwealth of Virginia provides funding for certain constitutional officers, including the sheriff, treasurer, commissioner Redling, clerk of the court.

Registrar.

And Registrar, which is not technically a constitutional officer, but they provide funding for those positions. At different funding levels, for example, Commonwealth attorneys and clerks of court are generally funded at a higher percentage, where in the Treasury Commissioner's office they only fund 50% of the compensation for those positions. So the comp board, they could So this is a one-time contribution of 2% based on the comp board salaries to provide them. Thank you.

And I know we've talked about this before, but if anybody wants to see We're looking at the line items and we can see the totals here, but if anybody else wants to see it, they can go online and see this for themselves. Yes. That it's not Henry County taxpayers. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

And do we have any flexibility? Like if we want to, instead of saying 2%, every employee got the same dollar amount. Is there any flexibility in that?

So, of course, you could do that for any non-constitutional officers, but the comp board, to get their funding, says you have to do a minimum of 2% of the constitutional officer salary. So put that in context. If someone made over $75,000, You would still have to give them the 2%. You couldn't reduce their amount. Gotcha. So 2% of $75,000 is the break-even point. So anybody less than $75,000 would get, you know, that 2% is less than $1,500, I guess, if we're comparing it like this.

it for people who made over 75 pounds that makes sense no no i did it i got it it's just always weird because folk who make the most money get the biggest bonus and the folk who sometimes make less money you know on the ground and doing some of that heavy lifting and they're getting that smaller bonus i just i absolutely agree with you 100 i thought it was interesting this year that uh

They saw the need to level that out for educational positions at exactly $1,500, but then they said 2% for constitutional also. It's interesting they handled it that way. I know what that number is if you're interested in it.

What number is it?

To give a minimum of $1,500.

Okay, what is that number?

It's an additional $181,083. So if we approved a flat $1,500...

It would be an additional $181,000.

So it would have to be, to meet the Comp Board requirement, it would have to be 2% but a minimum of $1,500. Okay. So you buy over $75,000 and still get the 2%. And where would that $181,000 come from? We would suggest it come from you, General Fife.

Any other clarification? We do not have a motion yet, but any other clarification or questions that we can clear up? With that, what is the desire of the board in regard to awarding of a bonus?

I mean, I'll make a motion. I don't know where it will go, but I would like to make the motion that we award the 2%, but make it a minimum of $1,500 for each employee, if I said that correctly, okay? And appropriate the $181,000 from the reserve account.

Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? Is there a second?

In this situation, I'm not sure if this is a time to say that I'd like a little more time to think about it. I like what Mr. Dillard is saying, and Dale already has that number. It's just deciding that on the fly, even though I think they do deserve it, for sure. And I know the teachers got that, and the schools got it. It's just right now we have been so intricate with the budget and we had so many decisions and so many questions about the budget. I'd like a little more time, if it's reasonable, maybe at the next meeting. I don't know if that's even reasonable.

How much do we have in the reserve account? Forty how many million? Okay.

You can certainly wait until next month, but just with the comp board funding, they did allow provision to carry that funds over into the next fiscal year. So if you wait until next month, then the bonus, of course, would not be paid until July. And I'm not trying to put you on the spot. We can do all those things if that's what the board wants to do. But it does create... extra paperwork and extra processing and our employees are expecting something in June and to her point isn't it out of this year's budget this bonus is current year's budget because I already mentioned and it's been approved and signed by the governor okay again we do have a motion is there a second if not that motion fails I've called for it that's the third time

Okay. That motion failed. Is there any other motion or action that the board desires to take in regard to this bonus?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to award the 2% bonus to all full-time county employees and to approve the related appropriation.

Is there a second?

I second.

There is a motion and a second. Any discussion at this point?

I will, of course, vote to approve it, but I'd like that $1,500 minimum amount, considering 2%, you know, of a $30,000, $40,000 salary. $50,000 salary is well away from $1,500. Yes, sir.

Any other questions or clarification? All in favor? There's five with one absent. Jennifer? 9g an additional appropriation referencing transfer of fy 2026 funds for capital improvement items mr waggoner you may recall doing our budget presentation i recommended that we use current year funds of 760 000 to address

several much-needed capital items. As you know, we did not include many capital items in the FY27 budget. So staff is coming in today and requesting that you approve the transfer of these funds primarily from the Industrial Development Authority to

Okay, the board has a detailed list of that that's been compiled by a financial area for your review as part of your board packet. What is the action the board desires to take as far as approving of the transfer of current year funds?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the transfer of current year funds totaling $760,000 for the listed capital items. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? There's five with one absent, Jennifer. That takes us to agenda item number 10, appropriation of the FY2026-2027 county budget. And Mr. Wagner will walk us through this and designate any appropriate motions that we need to make.

At your May 5th meeting, you adopted the fiscal year 26-27 total county budget. These actions include setting the tax rate and adopting the school budget. However, no family funds can be expended or obligated until an appropriation is made. Attached is the proposed appropriation resolution for your consideration along with the revenue expenditure exhibits. The proposed resolution reflects categorical appropriations based on previous board decisions. And the exhibits are the ones identical to the ones you approved with the budget last month. So I'm happy to go into as much detail or explanation that you wish. There's really no change in the appropriation resolution. There's some semantics to make things read better. And then under Section 20, the list of consultants has been updated just to make it reflect what we're actually doing today.

Prior to any motion, is there any detail or any other background material that the board would like to have? Okay. Hearing no indication.

Mr. Chairman, it does require a roll call vote.

Yes, sir. We will have to have a motion and a second, and Mr. Powell will poll the board for a roll call vote. Is there a motion to adopt the appropriation resolution?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to adopt the appropriation resolution as presented.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Mr. Powell, will you poll the board, please?

Yes, sir. Mr. Adams?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Lawless? Yes, sir. Ms. Buchanan? Yes, sir. Mr. Dillard? Yes, sir. Dr. Powell? Yes, sir.

Okay, a motion carried with five, with one absent on a roll call vote, Jennifer. That takes us to agenda item number 11, informational items. And I'll take comments from the board after wishing a prosperous year to our county attorney who just hit a milestone birthday. Thank you. Happy 60th. Thank you very much. Dr. Cobble.

Yes. In front of the board, and I've given Mr. Jones, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Wagner The GBAC, the Greater Bassett Area Council, has a trash pickup. They've been doing this for years. They worked with VDOT. They have adoption signs. They have been doing this again for years. They do a lot of work in Reed Creek from Stanley Town up through Bassett. They have asked for safety equipment, which is very reasonable. I've given... hard copies to the board and quantities for reflective signs. It's all again for safety purposes, spring stands, car tops and custom car signs and they've given hard copies also of pictures if if the board wants to see and i miss buchanan asked for them a little bit earlier of what the items look like but they've given an itemized budget here for this and out of the reed creek community impact fund i would like to make a motion to grant 1 500 to the gbac for the trash pickup safety equipment request second

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion or clarification? The board does have a copy of this in front of them. Thank you, Dr. Cobbler, for providing it to the board and to county administration and finance. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. Any other items, Dr. Cobb?

That's all. Thank you.

Mr. Dillon. Yeah, just a couple things. One, I just want to be clear. The Board of Supervisors, we don't get the bonus, so that's not my push in that. So I want to make sure everybody's clear on that. You know, we don't get that. This is about everybody else who's doing that, you know, hard lifting and so I want to be clear on that too. Man, anybody rode through Ridgeway late in the evenings and seeing the new courts and all that and the people out there participating and, you know, to me that's a beautiful sight. I mean, that's an active community and I want to commend, you know, Travis and the town of Ridgeway for that and I also think things like that can be a pilot if it goes well. You know, we can get those things in other parts of the county and kids are active. You know, because that active is, you know, there's a lot more to it. People are learning to socialize and they're staying active. They're doing good things. The community feels good about themselves. So commend him and the town of Ridgeway for that and want to just, you know, see how that goes and maybe we can start pushing uh you know for some of those things throughout other parts of the county um i also want to make a request for the impact funds there's a youth fun day sponsored by the wild stallions car club on june 7th and i'd like to request 250 dollars you know from the irishwood account to assist with that youth fund day and um you know it's a free food face painting bouncy houses music and games and one of those other things that keep the youth um you know active and involved throughout the summer and i'd like to request 250 dollars and what hopes might would second that motion second okay we have a motion by mr dylan second by dr cobbler any discussion or clarification needed by anyone

All in favor?

Well, I'll just say that I really love the strong word. I really love, like, the things that you're doing for the youth. Appreciate it. I think the events and things that you support for the youth is just extraordinary.

Yes, ma'am. Appreciate it. Any other discussion? All in favor? That's five with one absent, Jennifer. Any other items, Mr. Dillard? That's it. Ms. McKinnon?

No, sir.

Mr. Lawler? Yes, sir. Mr. Wagoner, I do not have any other items.

In my haste earlier, I failed to recognize that we had a representative here from Appalachian Power to talk about the broadband project. If you're interested, I'll ask Rob Mann to come up. Let's make sure you don't have any questions from an Appalachian Power standpoint. While he's coming up, one of the other things on my list was to talk about our interesting weather we had here at the administration building on Thursday evening. A lightning strike in the parking lot that many of our employees saw when they were leaving work did some extensive damage to our transport when we worked here. By 7 p.m. that was like 5.50. By 7 p.m. they were on site and they worked all through the night, through the weekend, and finally had power back on Saturday afternoon. So I appreciate all they did to help us with that. And kudos to our maintenance department for the many issues that they had to deal with.

Go ahead.

Appreciate it, Dale. Thank you. Sorry I snuck in. I said over I was talking to Zach with River Street for just a little bit. So I apologize for not catching up with Dale prior to this meeting. But good afternoon, board. I'm glad to be here and give a brief update on our middle mile portion of our fiber routes that we're doing. I kind of start on a high level with our construction huts, our fiber huts. We call them appointed presence, pop sites. So at our oak level, the work has been completed. We are waiting on the commissioning of a generator. With the generator, the Generac system that we have, there are some, I guess, software updates that need to be happening, and that's specifically from the manufacturer. So once that generator is in place, we can go ahead and commission the Oak level as well as their Patriot Center for the present sites. So that's moving along pretty well. as far as their distribution make ready so that's what when we have a poll attachment request you know once river street provided some routes we had to go analyze their system so as far as to make ready in patrick county there was a total of 243 polls that need to be changed out they just weren't adequate to hold the facilities and and they were inadequate for that so we have those in route as far as the soapstone route we've got about two weeks left on distribution make ready and the basket route is just getting started so we do have some poles that need to be replaced on the basket route as well as the railroad crossing we do have the railroad crossing permit in hand but we had to schedule flaggers so that's always some time in there which is typically they tell us 180 days we've been successful to get that a little bit lessened so um you know i don't know when that scheduled flagging is occurring but we are working towards that um cars and that cruise we have we've had three different crews working out there there you'll see trucks with davis h elliott um source power and new river electrical so we do have plenty of contractors capable contractors too because some of this work is specialized especially with some of the um splicing that needs to take place so we try to get the preferred crews in our system to help do this work out of the six routes going on in the county four that has been completed with the total of approximately 90 miles of work that has been completed we still have on our soapstone route we're about 73 done with that fiber installation so we have seven miles left to complete out of 21 and then our like i said our basket route we're just beginning so as far as mileage what we're counting right now is we're still at zero we've got 21 miles to build for the basic route so we're looking to wrap up all their middle power fiber route the main construction um late this year late uh fourth quarter so that that's what we're shooting for being complete with their fiber build out now there are other things that need to happen you know once the fiber is installed uh and Jack mentioned with River Street of tails that need to be spliced in so until we can finally test the whole system there are some other things that go on with that so when your residents see wire hanging there in schools there's still some extra pieces like having those point of presence sites it's fully uh ready to go and um commissioned um nothing's you know that river street can't really run the service to their homes until until we do some testing and that sort of thing so just to kind of give you a heads up when you get some of these questions there's multiple pieces to this it's more than just seeing that fiber on the poles what about figsboro road figsboro I'm showing we're complete on the construction of that. We finished that up at the end of March. Okay.

Because there was a lot of work going on. Yeah. I just wondered. Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. Yeah. And there's multiple things going on too. So we did along as Dale mentioned you know we have storms all the times along with just crews hanging fiber we've got a lot of just work normal work happening in those areas too and so it is confusing but there's a like I was in the town of Stewart last week and there's a lot of activity with electrical companies doing work at all times other questions it's not about the broadband

I want to ask you a question. I apologize for not saying this before, but one thing I had a question was that summertime's coming, right? You got cut to all over your lines and stuff, right? All over the power lines and power poles and stuff like that. I've heard that VDOT says it's your fault and then AEP says it's their fault. So I'm trying to figure out who do I need to contact in my area when I have like, because I've had stop signs growing up by it.

too you know which I know that's a VDOT but if it's a power line and it's kind of combined together who do we contact on that which direction do you reach out to me and I'll get in touch with the local forester for the area just to give everybody heads up the kudzu was a problem last year we've had numerous calls on that and how that's we We don't actually physically remove the kudzu from the pole. We cut around the base, spray herbicide around the base, but until we have some service work going on that line system from our forestry group, the kudzu is going to remain on the pole. So people will see that even after the fact, but hopefully it'll be dead. But yeah, you can always, on our website also, report a tree problem. And so kudzu is not necessarily a tree, but it would be in that category. Our website is... Easy. Facebook, that's been extremely effective, just having customers reach out through chatbatch and power through Facebook. So, 1-800 number, internet, website, or Facebook messaging. You know, we're we're here we're available we've got our call center we've ramped up actually just to give kudos to the broadband initiative we're able to have a lot of our call center folks work from home now you know that was a big initiative in rural southwest virginia we hired i think 17 customer service reps that are working from home um because they do have the recent internet so that you know this project is extremely important we recognize that to your citizens of hemlock county so we do and to continue partnership.

Okay. Any other items?

I have one additional item. Yes. I am working with Jeremy Bennett from the Virginia Association of Counties, and we're going to host the Region 10 meeting in July, so I'll be getting information out through there, but people from all over the region will be coming here for the Baker meeting, so hopefully you all can get that on the calendar and represent as well for that meeting.

When is that?

The date has not been finalized yet. We're still waiting. We plan to have it at the Met building at the Patrick and Henry Community College.

You don't know what month? It's going to be in July. In July, okay.

And I don't know if we're going to talk about it at some point, but the coat drive was recognized by Vaco. I don't know if that's something you wanted to mention or some other. I didn't know about it. Oh, I'm sorry. My bad.

What about telling me about it? Vaco's plans to be here at the July meeting.

Oh, my bad. But she would have read it when she read her newsletter later this week. My bad.

That's okay.

We like to open our Christmas presents early. Absolutely.

Sometimes we let it slip. Okay.

Well, it's public knowledge.

We let it slip what present is on your present. Right, right, right, right. okay uh any other informational items no thank you okay if uh takes us to agenda item 12 if someone will make a motion in regards to what allows us to go into closed meeting

Mr. Chairman, I move that we go into closed meeting under 2.237.11a1 for discussion of appointees to the Parks and Recreation Board, Economic Development Corporation, Henry Martinsville Social Services Board, Patrick and Henry Community College Board, Piedmont Community Service Board, and the Southern Area Agency on Aging Board. 2.2 37 11 a 7 for discussion of pending legal matters. 2.2 37 11 a 3 for discussion of the acquisition disposal of real estate and 2.2 37 11 a 5 for discussion of as yet unannounced industries. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? That's five with one absent.

Jennifer, I'll see you all upstairs in five minutes.

I'm out of closed meeting on a motion by Ms. Buchanan, seconded by Mr. Lawless. Mr. Powell, will you poll the board, please?

Yes, sir. Board members and investors.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. Mr. Dillard, I believe concerning the parks and rec board that you have some appointments for the board's consideration.

Yes, sir. I would like to make a motion to reappoint Mr. Mervin L. Brown Jr. and Mr. Scott Prilliman for another three-year term starting July 1st and running through June 30th of 2029 for the Parks and Recreation Board.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Five with one absent, Jennifer. Dr. Cobbler, in regards to Economic Development Corporation, I believe that you have an appointment for the board's consideration.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to appoint Rhonda Hodges for a three-year term to expire on June 30th, 2029 for the Economic Development Corporation.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? There's five with one absent. Jennifer and Ms. Buchanan, Henry Martinsville Social Services Board, some appointments for the consideration by the board.

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to reappoint Sarah Taylor and Ricky Walker to the Henry Martinsville Social Services Board. It will be a four-year term expiring May 31, 2030.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? There's five with one absent. Jennifer. Dr. Cobbler, in regard to the Patrick and Henry Community College Board, several for appointment consideration.

I'm getting there. Okay, I make a motion to reappoint Buzz Custer, Robert Foster, Timothy Stone, and Dr. LeGrant with a four-year term through June the 30th, 2030 for the Patrick and Henry Community College Board. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor? There's five with one absent. Mr. Lawless, in regard to the Piedmont Regional Community Services Board, I believe that you have an appointment for the board's consideration.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to reappoint Eric Harrison to a term that will begin on July the 1st, 2026 for the Piedmont Regional Community Services Board and will expire after three years on June of 2029.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? It is five with one absent, Jennifer. Southern Area Agency on Aging Board, Dr. Cobbler, I believe that there's someone for consideration of the board that you will bring to us.

Yes. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to appoint Robin Cassidy to the Southern Area Agency on Aging Board for three-year term through June the 1st, 2029.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? There's five with one absent. Mr. Wagner, is there any other business that the board should consider prior to a recess? Board members, do you have any? If not, I'll declare a recess at 5.13 p.m. I would recommend that you Load up because it's going to be lengthy tonight. I'll call the 6 PM session of the May 26, 2026 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors back to order from our recess from our afternoon session. I'd like to welcome all of our visitors. Remind you, if you want to address the board, you must sign up seven 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 also address the board under the agenda item, matters presented by the public that we'll take up tonight as agenda item number 24. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and participating in your county government. Our first item to comment on is agenda item number 13. Mr. Wagner, if you'd give us some background on that, please.

So the joint public hearing held by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Board of Supervisors has been scheduled in open format from 6 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., which is in the adjacent conference room to this room. VDOT has advertised the public hearing. Citizens can drop in that meeting any time to register comments related to the six-year secondary road plan. And once those comments are gathered, the VDOT will bring those comments back to you next month for you to look at.

All right. Thank you. That takes us to agenda item 14 along the same lines we have with us David Kaiser for general highway matters. David, welcome.

As Dale just stated, we're currently holding the six-year plan. We've done public hearing in the room out in the hallway. So if any citizens would like to come and look at what's on the plan or request anything to be considered, we will be there until 6.30. other things going on around the county we are wrapping up or mowing full cycle of mowing with the primaries and they should finish everything this week A project that just got started I think maybe late last month is the Lowell Park Intersection 58. It was a small scale project to add a twin lane onto Dogwood Road there and an extra lane turning off and it just got started under construction. And something else we have coming up soon is another spot on Mary Hunnell Road. We recently did a short road closure to cut back a slope. We have plans to do the one right below it this coming week. So it would be another short closure to cut back that slope. That's all I have for you all tonight.

Mr. Kizer, I believe Mr. Dillard would like to address something in regard to what went on in the Laurel Park area.

Yes, and I spoke to you some out front, but I know those columns are coming down, and you said you would definitely look into if they're going to replace that, and if not, what are the options to make sure we can put some type of signage out there to denote that that's the Laurel Park community. And I'll just wait to hear back from you on that.

Yes, I'll be able to look into that tomorrow and see what the plan is. And I'll let you know what I find out.

And also, riding down Axton Road, if you can take a look at those trees. I mean, they're starting to hang over the roads. Axton Road? Yeah, going down Axton Road.

Okay.

All right. I saw Mr. Lawless's hand first. Mr. Lawless?

had a question and i don't know if it's even possible because of state regulations but do you guys spray any kind of like weed killers or anything like that and the reason i say this is like when you come through the curves of 220 down the main strip right i'm not so much worried about outside the main strip right now but the main strip is there something that we can spray to kill some of that stagnant grass that's hanging out like coming up through the pavement and the concrete and stuff like that or is that just not possible or what's the deal on that

Yes, there was a roadside department in BDOT that does some of that spraying. We're limited to only being able to spray on the right of way. I know in years past we could get some agreements to go off. kudzu was really bad but there was some some law changes a few years back and we can't do that now so we do do some spraying on the right of way and they they're the ones that kind of coordinate all of that so I don't know they usually don't spray much this time of year I don't know what those schedule is when you say right away you mean 15 foot from the edge of the road or 25 foot from the center or what are we hands on the roadway for bigger primaries it's usually variable to cover due to the toe with half of the slopes so it can be very wide in places part of the secondary roadways may only have a total of 40 feet right away which is 20 feet from the center so some have a little more so it's variable kind of for the roadway

do you get in touch with them or do we need to contact them directly or how do we How do we go about that process?

Probably a good way to get something into the system is to call the 1-800-4-ROADS and make a request. Okay. That's a good way because once you get it, it goes into a system and it goes to the right department and they get a work order to then address it. So it gets it through the system. system to make sure they can see it.

Thank you. Dr.

Yes, I have received this email and you haven't seen it yet. So I apologize that you haven't seen it yet. But it says been having issues on 5074 Daniels Creek Road. And there's it says that there's just been flooding with the ditches that that need to be cleaned out. And again, I'll forward the email to you, but I was just going to get you to go take a look at that. And according to the email, there have been numerous communications with VDOT about it. And then as it is, as you communicate, if you would please just keep me informed of the progress on that. And I'll let this individual know that I have asked you to look into it. And they have attached pictures of a lot of flooding that's coming into their yard and their home based on a ditch that's clogged up.

Okay.

That according to this individual, they've had conversations with BDOT about this already.

Okay. Okay.

Thank you.

Maybe something's been lined up, but I'll see where that's at.

Okay.

Pastor of Preston Wesleyan Church had contacted me on Preston Road, State Route 687, right across from the church. The culvert evidently is stopped up again. It was taken care of several years ago, but it's causing a lot of ponding of water in the road, and he was wanting to know if BDOT would come out and take a look at that. It's right across from Preston Wesleyan Church.

Okay.

Any other items, board members? David, thank you. And we've made it clear that the public hearing for secondary roads is going on in one of the adjacent rooms. I think it's room number three. And anyone can add a comment to that. Yes. All right. Thank you.

Thank you.

Agenda item number 15 will be a presentation of the Community Connected Citizen Award. Ms. Buchanan, I believe you have some background material to share with the public in regard to that.

I do. If you go on Henry County's website, you will see that the Community Connected Citizen Award, or the Triple C Award, talks about the Community Connected Citizen Award, also known as the Triple C Award, recognizes Henry County residents who selflessly dedicate their time and energy into making our community a better place. As American citizens, we are afforded an array of rights as members of the greatest democracy on earth, but being a citizen also brings with it responsibilities, including the responsibility to work together for the common good. This award goes to those individuals in Henry County who live up to that responsibility and faithfully execute the duties of the most important public office, the office of the citizen. When the Community Connected Citizen Award was created in 2024, our vision was to recognize the everyday contributions of our citizens, again, who selflessly dedicate their time and energy into making our community a better place. One such group is the Veterans Honor Guard of Martinsville and Henry County. These men and women provide military honors at funerals and Color Guard presentations at local events, and they are dedicated to paying final respects to our fallen service members. Participation in our veterans funerals take hours of preparation. These volunteers have families, work obligations, some have health problems, and other commitments, but they are there to provide military honors in all types of weather, and that could be the sweltering heat, the rain, the sleet, and the snow. because they are dedicated to the fact that this honor is the last thing that they can do for a veteran who has given much for our country. The Honor Guard, Mr. Chairman, this is a two-part, and one of them is to award the Veterans Honor Guard of Martinsville and Henry County the Community Connected Citizen Award. but it's two parts to this. The Honor Guard works off of donations. They receive no money from the military for what they do. They buy their uniforms, which cost around $450 per person. They purchase their weapons and they maintain and keep these weapons up all through donations. This organization definitely fits the criteria of selfless dedication to our community. And I want to make a motion to donate $5,000 out of the horse pasture district impact fund to help them with the continued expenses associated with the work that they do. So Mr. Chairman, I want to make a motion that We recognize the Veterans Honor Guard for the Triple C Award. And also I want to make a motion that the $5,000 come out of the Horse Pasture District Impact Fund.

We'll take the first motion. Is there a second to the first motion? A second. And we'll have a second. All in favor? Five with one absent. And the second motion in regard to the monetary amount?

The monetary amount would be $5,000 out of the Horse Pasture District Impact Fund.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. Please join me, board members, down front. And we have 15 members of this group with us tonight. All of you look sharp. Thank you for coming out, but please join us.

at the Community Connected Citizen Award, which is the triple C award for all that you do and all the members do in our community. Thank you.

The Underguard is a 501C organization. It was established in 1973. I think it's about 53 years ago. And we have also lost 55 members of the Underguard. We use average about 25 members on duty all the time, part-time and regular time. We do films and And mostly anywhere in the state of Virginia, Gretna, we'll go mostly anywhere and do a film if they need the honor guard here in Martinville, in the county. But I want to thank you. It's an honor to receive this for the Martinville County Veterans Honor Guard.

Three, two, one.

like this right here, go into action. Congratulations. Congratulations, absolutely. That microphone is on. I'd just like to see you . Yes, sir. I appreciate it.

Mr. Chairman. Mr. Spencer, that money will be administered as needed. So you just need to get in contact with the county administrator. Oh, got a treasurer.

I think any family that's ever received the benefit of seeing the presentations that they make in a funeral environment certainly know the dedication of this group, and we thank them for being here tonight. That takes us to agenda item number 16, a public hearing referencing the adoption of the Henry County Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wagner, if you'll give us some background material on that, please.

Right at two years ago, we began working to update the Henry County Comprehensive Plan. We worked closely with the Berkeley group to revise its long-range planning document and addresses topics such as land use, transportation, economic development, and natural resources. Following months of focus group meetings with community members, public workshops, joint meetings of the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission, including an open house for public review, staff and working with our consultant, the Berkeley Group has prepared an updated plan for your consideration. adopting the comprehensive plan the board of supervisors must hold a public hearing which has been properly advertised in this meeting as well as Ben from Berkley Group is here to provide you a brief background on the process good evening members of the board public can you guys hear me okay

I think I've probably met everyone here, but if I haven't, my name is Benjamin Tripp, Senior Planner for the Berkeley Group, and as the wonderful introduction indicated, I am here tonight to present the county's comprehensive plan here at the public hearing. so i have a brief agenda here i know that you guys have other items on your agenda but just to tell you a little bit about what i'm going to talk about and this is mostly for the members of the public we're going to talk briefly about what comprehensive plan is where we are in the update process which is basically at the end how is the public invited to participate what is in the plan and then there'll be some time for questions uh and the next steps so without further ado what is a comprehensive plan and you guys all know this i think but really just for the public, the comprehensive plan is a long range planning document and a decision making guide that your community will use to make decisions about land use and other factors in the future. It is a guided vision for that future of what you want to be and where you want to go. It's a showcase of the county's assets in areas that it would like to improve. And it serves as the guiding framework for the county's planning tools. Things like the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance, the capital improvements plan, and other types of programs and plans and studies. And it is also a legally required document by the Code of Virginia. So comprehensive plan relates to a lot of other things. We talked about some of them like the budget and CIP, but it filters down into other types of plans like the active transportation plan, which I have the privilege to speak to you about one other time, parks and recreation, strategic plans, all the way down to the zoning ordinance and the subdivision ordinance. and where are we in the process? Well, we're here. We're at the Board of Supervisors public hearing, which is the last step. We began this about two years ago, right? I think most of you were there. With the kickoff with staff, we moved through data gathering and this large input and data analysis component, and then we moved to the drafting portion, which even though it's the smallest in the diagram, actually takes the longest, where we drafted the chapters, we came back to the Planning Commission, to the Board, and tweaked it and posted those up for public review. And then here we are in the reviewing and refining portion of the process. The plan has been to the Planning Commission and now it is with you guys. How is the public invited to participate? This diagram shows throughout the whole process of plan development where there were opportunities for public engagement. And overall there was a lot of events THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, THROUGH THE FOCUS GROUPS. I WANT TO SAY THERE WERE NINE FOCUS GROUPS, THREE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS IN THE SURVEY WHICH WAS AVAILABLE BOTH ONLINE AND ON PAPER. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS, PORTIONS, CHAPTERS OF IT HAVE BEEN POSTED ONLINE. WE'VE GOTTEN SOME COMMENTS THERE AND WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THIS ONE IS ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. So the actual plan content, again, you guys have seen this before, is broken into three parts, our vision, our home, and our voice. Our vision is the primarily roadmap that you're going to want to look at and use. It contains all the goals and objectives and all of the stuff about the things that you want to do, the strategies, the planning topics, the vision. Our home really contains data, things like demographics, existing conditions. community history context and then part three is engagement summary which is a summary of what we learned basically what the public said I want to point out too that there are catalyst actions catalyst projects within the plan when you look at the implementation matrices you can find these bolded but these are projects which we believe will help to create visible progress through these or partnerships. Something that is meant to serve literally as a catalyst to further action. Just a note, there have not been changes since the Planning Commission reviewed the plan. It is recommended to you tonight. I'd be happy to answer any questions. I told you it would be brief, but any questions which you may have.

Board members, do you have any questions at this time? just where can where can the public access the plan it's posted on the website or you can reach out to the okay any other questions okay thank you thank you I will open a public hearing to take input on this at 623 Is there anyone wishing to address the board on this public hearing on the comprehensive plan? Anyone wishing to address the board on the comprehensive plan? Seeing no indication as such, I will close the public hearing at Mr. Wagner prior to any motion being made it is my understanding that even though it's been a lengthy process getting here in a number of years since the last comprehensive plan that there are provisions that if three years, five years down the road, we can do regular updates.

Yes, that's correct. This is just a guidance document. It holds no legal authority or enforcement capability. It's just a guidance document to help us as a community, as a board, as a planning commission, as we move forward with future projects and so on.

Board members, I thank you all for two years of participation in this. You all have been active in every setting that this has been presented along with Supervisor Pruitt, who's not with us tonight, and even before joining the board, Supervisor Lawless was a part of numerous meetings on this. Thank you for your part and your input. With that, what is the desire of the board in regard to adopting the updated Henry County Comprehensive Plan.

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to adopt the updated Henry County Comprehensive Plan as presented.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Five with one absent. Jennifer? That takes us to agenda item 17. We'll have a public hearing referencing amending real property tax exemptions for certain elderly, disabled, and handicapped persons. Mr. Wagner.

During the process of establishing the fiscal year 2026-2027 total county budget, you all indicated a desire to expand the disabled and handicapped persons. The Henry County Code Section 8-502 establishes the assisting guidelines for real estate tax relief. Your county attorney George Wiles prepared an amendment to the ordinance reflecting increasing the amount of household income allowed for qualifying taxpayers from $24,000 to $40,000. In order to approve this amendment and extend tax relief to more individuals, the public hearing is required prior to approving the amendment and the public hearing has been properly acted.

Okay, I'll open the public hearing to take input on amending real estate property tax exemptions. Is there anyone wishing to address the board on this public hearing? Anyone wishing to address a board? Okay, that was opened at, excuse me, at 626, and I will close it at 627. Board members, what desired action would you like to take?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the amendment to Section 8-502 of the Henry County Code expanding real estate tax relief for certain elderly, disabled, and handicapped persons as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. That takes us to agenda item 18. We'll have a public hearing referencing a repeal of the motor vehicle license fee. Ms. Wagner.

Also, during the budget development for this year, you indicated a desire to repeal the motor vehicle license fee as established in Section 8 of the Henry County Code. As you're well aware now, every vehicle in Henry County is taxed with a motor vehicle license fee of $20.75. If the Board wishes to proceed with removing this license fee, it will require repealing Sections 8-800, 8-801, 8-802, and 8-803 with an effective date of July 1, 2026. And we would also recommend that you repeal Section 8-809 effective December 1, 2026. This would allow the treasurer and the commissioner to make corrections from any previous motor vehicle license fees from previous years. And as required, the public hearing for this meeting has been properly advertised to receive public comment.

Mr. Chairman, I believe the motion suggested in the memorandum from the county administrator left out one code section that was in my memo. The 805. Okay. If you look at my memo, I think it's almost exactly the same language except there's one extra code section that was omitted.

So the motion should include 805? Correct. Okay. On the first... After comments. Okay. Thank you. I'll open a public hearing to take input on this at 629. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on repealing of the motor license fee? Anyone wishing to address the board on this? Seeing and hearing no indication as such, I will close the public hearing. There's 629 board members. What motion would you like to put forth?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the repeal of the motor vehicle license fee, including sections 8-800, 8-801, 8-802, 8-803, and 8-805, effective July the 1st of 2026, and section 8-809, that will be effective December the 1st, 2026.

second we have a motion and a second all in favor it is five with one absent uh jennifer uh agenda item 19 will conduct a public hearing referencing the biennial real estate reassessments mr wagner yeah a lot of pages

So as well as during the budget discussion and in an effort to keep real property values closer to current fair market value and reduce the likelihood of large shifts in taxable value, you had indicated a desire to reassess real property every two years rather than the current practice of assessments every four years. Your county attorney, George Lajos, indicated that the Code of Virginia allows the counties to reassess bi-annually by adopting an ordinance as outlined in Virginia Code Section 58.1-3253. And prior to adopting such an ordinance, a public hearing is required, and it has been properly advocated.

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 631. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on the public hearing of biennial real estate reassessments? Anyone wishing to address the board? Seeing no indication, I will close the public hearing at 631. Board members, what action would you like to take in regard to this?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to adopt the ordinance establishing a biannual general reassessment equalization of real estate in Henry County as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? That's five with one absent, Jennifer. Agenda item number 20, we're entering some rezoning application public hearings. The rezoning application under agenda item number 20 is R-26-07, Sarver Properties LLC. We have with us Michael Montgomery from the Planning and Zoning Office. Mr. Montgomery.

application r2607 for sovereign properties the property is located at 5003 kings mountain road which is the old basset radiator building and the cosmo district Property is shown on tax map 29.4, section 13C, as lot 23B. The applicant is requesting the rezoning of this property from suburban residential SR to commercial district B1. The applicant wishes to have the flexibility to market the property for other commercial uses beyond historically grandfathered uses. Following the public hearing, both the Planning Commission and staff recommend that the rezoning request be approved.

Okay, I'll open a public hearing to take input if desired by anyone at 633. Is anyone wishing to address the board on this rezoning application? Seeing no indication as such, I will close the public hearing at 633. Mr. Lawless, I believe this is in your district.

Yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion to approve the rezoning request as presented.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's five with one absent. Jennifer. Agenda item 21, public hearing on rezoning application R-26-08 for Linda P. Brim. Mr. Montgomery.

The property is located at 765 Carver Road in the Horse Pasture District. The property is shown on tax map 50.5, section 8B, lots 37 through 42. The applicant is requesting the rezoning from Suburban Residential SR to Office and Professional District B3. The applicant wishes to convert the use of the house from home occupation and residence to be employed there into a commercial beauty shop and barbershop and residence. Following the public hearing, both the Planning Commission and staff recommended that the rezoning request be approved.

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 634. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this rezoning application? Seeing no indication, I will close the public hearing at 634. Mr. Buchanan, I believe this is in your district.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the rezoning request.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? That's five with one absent, Jennifer. Agenda item number 22, public hearing on the rezoning application R-26-09. Michael J. Tipton, Mr. Montgomery.

Property is located at 2591 Fixborough Road in the Recruit District. Property is shown as part of tax map number 17.6, section 1A, as lot 14. The applicant is requesting the rezoning of approximately one acre which will be separated from the remaining tract of approximately 10 acres from rural residential rural residential district rr to commercial district b1 the applicant wishes to operate an automobile sales lot from this property and following the public hearing both the plan commission and staff

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 636. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this rezoning application? Seeing no indication, I will close the public hearing at 626. Dr. Cobble, I believe this is in your district.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion to approve the rezoning as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Five with one absent, Jennifer. Agenda item number 23, a public hearing on a rezoning application R-26-10, Noah and Heather Vogler. Mr. Montgomery.

For this one, the property is located at 2063 Bassett Heights Road in the Recruit District. The property is shown on tax map 15.6, section 46, as lots 216A, 216D, 216E, and 15.6, 325. The applicant is requesting the rezoning of approximately 4.662 acres from suburban residential district SR to agricultural district A1. The applicant wishes to use the property for agricultural purposes. following a public hearing and extensive discussion both the planning commission and staff recommend that the rear properties being lots 216a 216d and 216e be approved and that lot 325 which is a lot of the houses on the fronts on basset heights road be denied Planning Commission noted the rear property was surrounded on three sides by agricultural A1 zoning and there was a petition of support from some of these joint property owners. I think there were four property owners who voiced their support for this rezoning. Also, the Planning Commission noted that the frontage property, being again, lot 325 of the house, did not fit the characteristics of agricultural zoning and should remain zoned suburban residential.

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this rezoning application at 638. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this rezoning application? Is there anyone? Okay, I have a brief policy statement to read. This is the time for public comment. We welcome your participation in tonight's meeting. We're here to listen to you. By coming to the podium, we need you to state your name. We know the subject matter. That's this rezoning application. By coming to the podium, you've agreed that you'll exhibit respect for the board and its members. You'll receive the same consideration from the board. Please try to keep your presentation to no more than five minutes. And that goes for all remaining public hearings and matters presented by the public.

My name is Noah Vogler. I'm the owner of 2063 Bass Heights Road. Like he had stated, the rear property wasn't a big issue. The front property, we have a nursery business and we have a bunch of fruit trees we want to put in so that customers can come and see them, taste fruit, that kind of thing, so they can make decisions on what they want to purchase. The property out front with the houses on is the easiest to get to and would be most appropriate for that use. With the residential, we can't have added traffic there. The problem that we had in the last hearing was that if it was made agricultural, there wouldn't be any controls as to what other agricultural uses that I would do there. But I wanted to see if the change in zoning could be contingent upon me putting the trees in because once those trees are in, it's a pretty expensive endeavor. I wouldn't be grazing any animals there because they would do damage to the trees that are there, so. I didn't know if that was possible to make a contingency where the zoning would be contingent on me proving the trees are in, because at that point I'll be putting up fence to keep animals out, like deer and bear and stuff, so. That was what I wanted to bring up tonight. Thank you.

Is there anyone else wishing to address the board? I see another hand.

Hi, I'm Damian Tozar, the neighbor. I've provided a paper to the Planning Commission about over eight years of just animals escaping, massive amounts of feces in the yard, and even if the word used is just, you know, a tree business, as he's saying now, we don't want, you know, increased traffic where our family is playing. It's literally our houses are 40 feet apart from house to house, so...

just like it take that into consideration thank you all right thank you is there anyone else desiring to wish you uh to address the board on this result seeing no indication as such i will close uh this public hearing at 6 42 Dr. Cobbler, I believe this is in your district and do you need any clarification of anything prior to any anticipated motion?

Well, thank you for asking. I appreciate Mr. Vogler and the communication he has communicated with me quite a bit. And we do ask for that and recommend recommend that. I've also had multiple conversations with planning and zoning and Mr. Clark. And so it is I will I'm going to go with the recommendation still of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission and make a motion to approve the rezoning of the lots to 16 a 216D and 216E and deny the rezoning of lot 325 as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Okay. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? There's five with one absent. Jennifer? That takes us to matters presented by the public, and I believe that there was an indication that Mr. Moxley wished to address the board under matters presented by the public. Anyone can address the board, but if someone notifies us in advance of a meeting, they have first priority to come and speak. So, Mr. Moxley.

And there's other names on the list.

Okay, I haven't tabbed down that far. I'm going through multiple pages here, but that was one name I could remember.

Appreciate your time and consideration. My name is Roger Briscoe, and I own land that joins the Axton solar farm. I boarded on the southeast side and the fence line, and it runs about 4,000 feet along my property. Barry Moxley and myself and the neighbors had endured these screamers, as Mr. Lee Clark refers to them, for two years now, and the sound was never brought up by the county. Barry and myself have spent over $60,000 in lawsuits against the company, and all we've gotten is lawyer jargon back and forth as they played their games. And that's why we're here asking for help. I laid in the bed in the loft of my cabin the other night, and it was 9.30 before they ever shut these inverters off. The other solar farms do not carry the sound level that this one does. Go to the 647 Jim Ford Solar Farm and listen to the sound. No sound. None whatsoever. And again, all we're asking is to help us quieten these inlays. Also, the wildlife is nowhere near what it once was. I had an annual dove hunt for many years, But the birds don't fly over like they used to because of the radiant heat that's coming from these solar panels, so I had to stop. I understand the revenue and the tax base for the county, but this facility has ruined the ecosystem in our area. Again, all we're asking is help us get the company to quieten these in-birds. Just be glad you folks don't live around this facility. We have a petition with 22 residences that have signed and the quality of life that we once experienced has been ruined by the level of sound from these inverters as well as the drop in property values. Also, these people came to us when we signed this petition, when they found out that we had it. So there is a definite problem, and I hope the board will address it. Thank you. And also, here's the petition with the names on it. I'll leave it right here.

All right, thank you, Mr. Crisco. Thank you. Next speaker. There were several. We've got Cummings, Moxley, others.

Good evening. I'm a resident of Axton, specifically on Centerville Road. My name is Alyssa Cummings. I'm speaking because many of us feel that our concerns about the Energex facility have not been fully heard or effectively addressed. For generations, families have lived, worked, and invested in this community, and we're not temporary here. This is where we raise our children, build our lives, and pursue our version of happiness and stability. Residents continue to experience ongoing issues including inverter noise that comes and goes throughout the day and night. I live on Centerville Road out of sight of the panels like you can't see them and the daily constant electric coming is absolutely awful. It's there in the evening when we enjoy a night out together. It's there in the morning. It's been there as I've waited for my children to get off the bus. As far as I am from it, I cannot imagine how its closer neighbors live every day with the constant buzz. And speaking of children, it worries me so much to let them go outside and play, many times vehicles coming in and out of the solar farm drive at an extremely fast speed on our road. It's alarming. You can hear them coming, dust flying and all as they run off the road, inevitably because of the speed. As well as that, half the time their gate hasn't been open and their trucks and trailers have to wait in our road to get in our road to get in until someone comes and opens a gate. So we have to turn around in the road and go another way. We weren't thrilled to say the least that this project was allowed to happen without our knowledge but the fact that these are awful neighbors in general is disturbing. Many community members have reported these issues multiple times yet meaningful lasting solutions still feel out of reach. I'm asking for traffic safety enforcement. Many houses on our road have children, including mine and pets. And as a mother and a member of the community, I want more for them, a safe community. Our county should coordinate with BDOT and law enforcement to ensure those protections are actually enforced, as well as the most obvious solution to use your influence to have energy fix these issues. where environmental concerns like erosion and storm water issues are present because they are, as Mr. Dillard knows, by visiting the Moxley Farm. I ask the county to formally refer those concerns to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for inspection and enforcement and to ensure follow-up is completed. We also request public compliance updates or hearings so residents can clearly see what has been verified, what has not, and what actions are being taken. Energex has already been a shady company, dishonest with their actions and quick quote unquote fixes. With the Energex solar farm off Joseph Martin Highway already having four years of DEQ penalties with the cost so far about half a million dollars. Why isn't any action being taken at the farm on our road? We are asking the county to take real enforceable action using the tools it already has. That includes enforcing either the conditional use permit conditions or special use permit conditions, I'm not sure which. And if because these conditions are being violated, issuing formal violations and requiring corrective action with clear deadlines. We are also asking the county to require independent third party noise testing and environmental verification, not company paid reports, especially after the claimed fixes. We're not asking for special treatment. We're asking for accountability, transparency, and for the county to fully use its authority to enforce the standards that were set when this project was approved. I don't know what all they entail, but I know they were set. You represent us and should be concerned that we are concerned. Our community deserves to be heard and we will continue speaking up until real enforceable solutions are in place. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker on the same subject.

Good evening, Board. My name is Barry Moxley. You probably remember me from a meeting about a year ago, but I would just like to address something that is very heavy on my heart. And after what my family and I have experienced living beside one of these facilities, I want to state clearly tonight that I oppose further utility-scale solar development in Henry County. Not because someone told me to, not because of politics, but because I have to live beside it. i have experienced the noise i have experienced the disruption i've experienced the industrialization of rural property i have experienced what i feel like when citizens raise concerns and feel they're being ignored as an american citizen and property owner i absolutely have the right to speak against something i believe is harming my community and harming families living beside these projects and tonight i'm asking the board to listen to the people who actually have to live with the consequences after the approval has been done. Right now, Henry County has approved roughly 1,700 acres of utility-scale solar development. If this board truthfully believe that is enough, then I'm asking you tonight to make that permanent through ordinances and law so that my future board can continue approving these projects without limits. Because what happens after approval matters. And I can tell you firsthand, the reality of living beside one of these facilities is very different from what many citizens were led to believe. We were presented on paper as clean, quiet, low impact infrastructure has become something entirely different and the people living beside them. The noise is real. The industrial activity is real. The dust is real. The construction traffic is real. The loss of peace and quiet is real. There have been evenings where no matter where I walked on my property, I could not escape the sound coming from the facility. I wish every member of this board would come and stand on my property one evening and hear it for yourself. And in saying that statement, I will say there's only one member that I know of on the board, that's Mr. Diller. He's been on my property twice to hear the sound, and I know he can testify to the loudness of these inverters. Because I truly believe I truly believe if you heard what my family hears, this conversation would feel very different. What makes it even harder is knowing that citizens repeatedly raised concerns from the beginning. At public meetings, people asked about noise. They asked about setbacks. They asked about proximity to homes and asked about long-term impacts. And many of these concerns were minimized. Some citizens were even told that these facilities would be quiet once construction was completed. And I do know Mr. Clark said many times that they said you would never be able to hear these inverters. While I'm on that subject, there's only one other solar farm that has these inverters, and it's in Pennsylvania. And the reason that no other farms have these inverters, it's like Jim Ford property out there, is because I think they put them down there thinking nobody would care. And when everybody looks at a solar farm, they go by the other ones that make no noise. These are streamers. As Mr. Crisco said, Lee Clark himself has nicknamed them streamers. I've had an independent witness come to my property and hear it for themselves. I've had people tell me they were shocked by how close industrial equipment was placed to my residence. To give you an idea, when I brush my teeth in the morning and look in the mirror, guess what the reflection of my mirror is? That's how close, with no bumper, All of the laws they said that they would follow, none of them was done. I've got over 2,000 million feet of property line, and I've got solar panels, and these inverters, which they promised would never be close to a house, I've got one inverter within 61 feet of my property line. One person even told me that during a county-related meeting when my property was specifically bought up, someone acknowledged the situation and said, we're sorry, that one slipped through. They were talking about the property next to my house. And respectfully, that statement says everything because this should never have slipped through. No family should be expected to simply absorb industrial-level impacts beside their home without meaningful protection. I understand this property was owned industrial, but there was a major difference between what the people envisioned years ago and what actually is happening today. Years ago, a steam plant was coming called Coe Gentry's. And actually, they were going to buy me out because the steam plant was within 300 yards of my back door. And that's when that land was zoned for industrial. And when the government approves major industrial scale projects beside residential property, government also has the responsibility to protect the people living closest to those impacts. That protection failed here. And now families are being left in an impossible position. If the impacts become invariable, citizens are essentially told, hire an attorney. As you heard Mr. Crisco right now, just a few minutes ago, we've been spending over 60-some thousand dollars in attorney fees, and it feels like we've gotten nowhere. That is not realistic for ordinary people to come up with, to have to spend to fight a fight we feel like we should have never had to fight. And respectfully, if this country has the authority to approve projects like this, then the county also has a responsibility to provide enforceable protection when these projects begin interfering with citizens' ability to live peacefully on their own property. Without enforcement, protection means nothing. That is why I'm here tonight. I'm asking the board to direct the county attorney to determine exactly what authority Henry County has to adopt to enforce operational noise protection, including possible criminal enforcement mechanisms for excessive industry industrial noise affecting nearby residents, because citizens should not be left helpless. I also believe that this county needs stronger setbacks, larger buffers, more landscaping requirements, and independent sound testing requirements moving forward. And if Henry County truly believes it has already approved enough solar development, then prove it. Put it into law. Do not leave future citizens to change political winds or pressure from outside companies. I also want to say something personal tonight. This situation has taken a real toll mentally and emotionally on me and my family. As I discussed before, my wife sitting beside me is a stage four cancer survivor. And the things that are in these solar panels, you can go to their website. Actually, I just emailed Lee Clark a whole pamphlet on First Solar. I got the serial numbers off of the panels themselves. If you go on there, even on their website, it's a chemical called cadmium telluride. It is highly carcinogenic. They claim long as it stays within that panel, it is safe. I also sent Mr. Clark multiple pictures of broken panels all over this solar farm. Actually, some of them are on hills where when it rains, it's being washed in the creeks. Actually, washed in the creeks over toward the Pennsylvania County side, especially over in the Splendor Gate area. And I just feel like these things really need to be addressed because not only has it affected us emotionally, but we absolutely live in fear of what the outcome in years to come will be of these projects. Just want you to know the constant stress, the feeling of being unheard, the uncertainty, the noise, the disruption, it wears on you. And tonight, I would like to ask the chairman, members of the board, I want to leave you with just one point. This is not just about solar development or solar maps on paper. This is about real people living with real consequences after the approvals are finished. If this facility was operating inside your home, With the noise, the dust, and the industrial activity, and the constant disruption, you would expect your government to have a way to address it. Right now, ordinary citizens are being told to absorb these impacts or fight expensive legal battles along. That is not a fair system. So my final question is this. What specific protection does Henry County actually provide to residents once these projects are approved? And if the answer is that there are none, there are enforceable or effective, then I'm asking this board to change that. Because what is happening right now is not sustainable for the people living beside it. And I just want you to know, the things I talked about, I made a copy for each one of you to have to read. And even though this project has been built now over two years, talking about the dust, this is a picture of a trampoline in my yard. And the other day when it started raining, the dust was so bad it looks like someone took a trowel and smeared mud across the top of it. That is something we live with day in and day out. And I just want you to know, if you're not aware of it, boy, they have over half a million dollars fined from DEQ because they have not been in compliance with anything DEQ has asked them to do in the last two years. and they've got a company in there now trying to fix all the erosion problems i've actually had erosion problems on my my side of the farm i've actually had electrical fences to go down because areas was completely flooded and no one has even attempted to come and say hey we'll help you with this i'm just asking the board tonight to please take this into consideration please see what your attorney can do to help the people in our community thank you thank you

On the same subject, is there anyone else wishing to address the board?

Good evening, board, chairman. Thank you for your time. My name is Spencer Hirschfeld, and I'm here on behalf of Mr. Moxley. And Mr. Crisco does not know, but I'm here on behalf of him as well. I'm a father. I'm a man of God. I'm a husband. I'm a lot of things. But I want to talk about two things this evening that I am. I'm a veteran of 15 years. I currently serve in the Army National Guard. I'm still serving now. I've deployed to combat zones. My current position in the Army National Guard is first sergeant over an artillery battery, and I am in charge of the readiness and welfare of approximately 100 soldiers. I'll circle back around to why that's important. Second, I'm a local real estate agent who has worked with many members of this community, to include Mr. Moxley. My comments are based on my professional experience, my familiarity with this community, and my first-hand involvement with the matter I am addressing. I'm a long-time friend of Mr. Moxley, and I would like to speak regarding the effects that the Paxton Solar Project has had on his home and property value. Approximately six months ago Mr. Moxley requested that I prepare a comparative market analysis or a CMA for his property evaluating its estimated market value both prior and following the development of the solar project using Navica, an MLS platform and database used by every single real estate agent within our MLS. I determined that his property value prior to the solar project was approximately $1.9 million to $2 million with the many unique features of his property walls to include income producing trailer park, the farm, obviously, and the developmental progress that he's made to his land. So based on my knowledge and experience as a real estate professional in Henry County and the surrounding area, as well as consulting with other very well-known real estate agents who I work with, we concluded that the locational obsolescence, which is an obsolescence applied to the properties because of industrial and environmental concerns, that his property value has reduced by approximately 45 to 50%, which equates to, doing the math, over a million dollars. Factors considered in that conclusion include the visual proximity of the solar panels to the property line, erosion concerns associated with earth movement during construction, the potential need for mitigation or modification to portions of the property, and the operational noise generated by inverters located near the property line in the primary residence. Nobody wants to live by that. Taken together, these conditions significantly affect the property's marketability and desirability to potential buyers. Based on this analysis, we estimated the current market value and potential listing range of the property to be approximately $950,000 to $1 million. Regardless of the intended benefits of this project to the county, the financial impact to this individual property owner or owners is substantial. In this case alone, the estimated reduction of value approaches, as I said, $1 million. That one man's property value, that's one man's property valuation. Think of the other 22 property owners that have signed that petition and the hundreds of others that the Accident Solar Project has affected, many who are sitting in this room today. The same citizens you swore an oath to protect, just as I, as a member of the military, swear an oath to defend the Constitution. So what would happen if I violated my oath to defend the Constitution of the United States? What if I defied orders from my commander or violated anything that is under the Uniform Code of Military Justice? I would be charged. I would serve jail time. under that you umc ucmj which is uniform code of military justice so what do you suppose happens when a government or government officials violates their oath to protect the citizens of our county i'll leave you with that question to ponder for yourself and again thank you so much for your time on the same subject is there anyone else wishing to address the board

okay we will move to another area of matters presented by the public does anyone wish to address the board on any subject I see one over here okay good evening Darryl Holland from the horse pasture district first of all

As one of two Henry County citizens elected to the Soil and Water Board, I'd like to thank Henry County for the $3,000 that you sent to the Soil and Water Conservation Office at Rocky Mountain. You should just be assured that any dollar spent in that regard to protect our soil and water is money well spent and invested in our future. Along similar lines, I'd like to make you aware of another group of citizens who play a valuable role in protecting our natural resources and that's the agricultural community of Henry County. Some of you might know that I'm a former agriculture teacher and I want to take a few moments I have to address you to give you a little update on the state of agriculture here in Henry County. In 1982, There are 424 farms in Henry County. The latest figures available by the United States Department of Agriculture are from the year 2022. And there are only 258 surviving farms in Henry County. That's a decline of 40%. Statewide since 2003, the decline of farms in Virginia has only been 18%. But that number is really, that's disturbing because in 2003, there were 8,500 farms in Virginia, and now there's only 39,000. That means there's 8,500 farms fewer in Virginia in the last 25 years. In terms of acreage, in Henry County, In 1982, we had 23,619 acres of cropland. 2022, only 13,126. That's a loss of 44% of the acres of cropland in our locality. Now many of these farms were lost because of, they were victims of road construction. industrial development, and an increasing number of acres covered by solar panels. That's not the subject I'm addressing. But a lot of the farms are now fallow because they have been forced financially out of business. Some of the more recent challenges facing our surviving farms are the soaring cost of diesel fuel and fertilizers. Both of those are heavily influenced by this war that's being conducted in Iran and also the closing of the state of Hamas because the diesel fuel and fertilizer prices fluctuate daily. And without diesel and fertilizer, our farms would cease to exist. But there's another important component, water. The dry conditions we have been suffering for the past three months have been devastating for our local hay crops. And I do not think the word devastating is too extreme. Even the USDA has declared Henry County as a category three drought-stricken area, and the scale only goes to a four. So it's a very trying time. We received .4 inches of rainfall in horse pasture, Spencer area where I live, in April and we've got two and a half inches so far in May it's estimated that between seven and ten inches of rain per month will have to be will have to we would have to have that to make any difference and break this drought and I can't imagine getting 30 inches of rain during the months of June July and August here in Henry Henry County ordinarily I try to get a herd of cattle through the winter. Now I'm trying to get them through a drought. And while I welcome the rain we've had in the past 48 hours, it's not now that the real impact of this is going to be felt. It's going to be this fall when we've got a hay shortage looming for our cattle. For example, one of our fields, that usually yields between 100 and 130 rolls of hay. Last week, we got 10 rolls. Another field did a little better. We usually get 30 or 40 rolls. We got eight. That's 18 rolls out of an area that we should be getting 200 rolls of hay. For ordinary citizens, a lack of rainfall might mean you don't have to mow your yard as much, or it might impact your days you lay out in the sun. And y'all have had a lot of days to lay out in the sun this spring, I'll tell you that. But for farmers, weather is critical. Now I know the Board of Supervisors, you can't do much about fertilizer prices, you can't do much about diesel, but there is something that you can do. Our local tax code in regard to farmers in some ways has been rooted in the past. In the past when agriculture and farming were big business in Henry County, but in many ways the farming industry like the textile business has faded into the past. The hundreds of small farms and that grew tobacco in henry county including my own in the 1980s has been reduced to less than 10. there's a rumor out there i think it's true that the board took a step in the right direction by removing the tax on livestock from the code and that is welcome news because not only cattle but also mules and donkeys and even chickens could have been taxed in the past if you were going to tax it to the letter of the code. But we're in the 21st century now, not horse and mule days, and these matters did indeed need to be updated. Another update which needs to be stricken from the current tax code is in regard to farm equipment. This year in particular, our hay mowers, our hay rakes, our hay wagons, our hay balers have practically not been used, but they're going to be assessed an annual tax rate. This needs to be changed. In Henry County, 97% of our farms are family owned, and also in Henry County, 168 of the remaining 424 farmers are over the age of 65. That's another category that is 40%. Needless to say, this category of senior citizens, of which I am reluctantly now a member of, we're on fixed incomes. And sometimes these golden years of retirement we've heard about aren't so golden after all. In summary, what I'm asking is for simple local tax relief for a small minority of people who need a voice in what is said here. farmers who have enough stress without having to pay annual taxes for farm equipment. If this matter needs to be reconsidered, I urge this body to consider reconsideration.

Thank you. On any subject, does anyone else wish to address the board on the matters presented by the public? Okay, I don't see or hear any indication. That will take us close to agenda item 25, adjournment. Before that, Mr. Wagner, do you have any items for the board's consideration? Board members, do you have any items? If not, I will accept a motion for adjournment.

So moved.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? It is 5-0, Jennifer. One absent. Excuse me. Everyone have a good evening.