Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

I'll call the 3M session of the September 23rd, 2025 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors together. Like to welcome all of our visitors. Remind you that if you want to address the board, you must sign up 7 days in advance of any of our regular meetings to be put on the agenda. the county administrator as a contact person for the board. However, the public may address the board under the agenda item matters presented by the public uh that will take up later in this meeting is agenda item number 13. Uh again, welcome everyone. Uh we have title Boyd here from uh the enterprise. We have uh Keith Scott, uh Richie Weaver, and Ben Boone from representing the school board. And I think I saw the registar uh in the back there. Uh you all welcome along with uh uh Sheriff Davis and members of the sheriff's department. Thank you all for being here as well. We will now uh conduct business starting with agenda item number five uh 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 is 6. Uh Jennifer. Agenda item number six. We'll have a monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts. We have with us county treasurer Scott Grind Stamp. Scott, welcome.

Good afternoon. This is a report as of August 31st, 2025. Personal property collection. We collected 89.87% of the 24 personal property taxes. We collected $127,857 during the month. Real estate, we collected 94.63% of the 24 real estate tax. During the month, we collected $13,67. That's kind of a little off because we had some uh demolition fees that went on. So, we collected more money, but y'all put more money on my delinquency. So, thank y'all very much. Uh January 1 taxes collected $827,71. Debt set off, we collected $5,321 on September 16th. For the year, we've collected $378,7655 in debt set off. DMV stops. As of today, we've collected 115 for the month of September. And as y'all know, the real estate bills are out and they're coming in very well and uh the due date should be one.

Does anyone have any uh items to ask uh Mr. Grind staff at this time? All right. Miss uh Harrison, commissioner, she's not here, but she's gotten very far on the personal property book and they should be mailed sometime in October. Personal property.

All right. Thank you. Agenda item number seven, we'll have an update from the Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation. We have with us Mark Keith. Mark, welcome. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The board take a little bit back today. Uh, and not read much of the report. You can go through that yourself. I would just call attention to a couple things on the second page under our marketing. You can see there's a lot of prospect activity and I tell you in terms of prospect activity this most we've had in 20 years. Uh that does not mean that we're going to get all these projects but it does mean that we've got a lot of activity and if you don't have activity you don't at the end of the day have projects. So we're excited about that. We do think that is due in large part to the work that's been done over the last 20 years in developing sites and buildings. And that's what people are coming to look at. You'll see the the attached um the attached unemployment report for the month is still picking up a bit. Mor has closed, DF has closed, and those jobs we lost are impacting us overall, but the job market still remains strong. We also just out today are the 24 tourism economic development impact numbers. uh you have a set of flyers. You see 78.2 million was spent direct direct to spending in Mark Henry County. That means almost $200 per year saved by every household in Mark Henry County. And on average 214,000 plus per day is spent in tourism in that industry which is a 7.4% 4% increase from 2023. So, we've come through the co

period. We have a very robust onsite owning uh social media presence with our drilling activities now and we think we're seeing that pay some dividends. So, with that, we if anybody has a question, we'll I'll answer those after. We thought it might be good in light of the good news we had in the last couple of weeks. We kind of walk through the neighbor and try uh announcements. So, show you some of the stuff that's been done. We have some videos that are being used in our marketing. They're they're online. Uh it's generated a lot of interest in Henry County. So, it's been a great a great asset for us when marketing just hit me that looking at the board September 23rd, 2024 was the first day we talked to Nathan Troder. So, today is one year anniversary from that. So, thank you all again for all the work that you've done for us um and helping us make days like the 9th of September possible. So, we I think everyone most people were there. We had Nathan Fer. Hopefully, you can see this on your video. Um had a nice groundbreaking. The weather cooperated. It's actually the first time we've had an actual project development outside. uh lots of help uh from from the county and the EDC. Also, these are the five brothers, the two families that uh represent this nearly 250 year old company. They've been very positive in their comments that they've made. Um it's good opportunity for our leadership to be with the governor. Obviously always good to have him here from the event itself. Flag presentation. Uh it's actually some of the the tin that will be produced at the site. Uh and

that looks kind of light. That's probably about 25 lbs worth of tin. 16. I wait. How much? 16.

I stand corrected. Of course, Mr. Wait. 16. I'm not good at math. Some more, you know, local folks and politicians, our local folks. Again, um want to make sure that all the people that are involved uh in making that day come to fruition with us. We did some videos after the fact to Jim and company reps and others that are being used in our marketing just to announce a project from a company that has literally been doing business in America for nearly found 236 years. We have a partner that understands what commitment means. Today, this fabulous announcement, an announcement where this great business, Nathan Tro, will invest $65 million and hire 18 people. We want you to be successful. Yet, a unique collaboration here between, of course, Henry County. And I want to thank the collaborative environment that all of a sudden brings down barriers and recognizes we win and we work together. This project demonstrates how government business can work together to improve the lives of Americans through national security. And here they have selected Virginia, this fabulous, fabulous location in Henry County to do something that has not been done in the United States, which is develop a tin production and processing facility at a scale that we not only are excited about from the

economic opportunity, but we are excited about the national security opportunity as well. Thank you for your confidence in Virginia and for Henry County and the selection of Baker Center for the first facility outside of Pennsylvania. We drive out by touch. Strong communities are built on opportunity. At its core, economic development is about meeting conditions for every person in our relationship to thrive.

We want to live in a good sons and daughters who carry out our dreams and their fathers. On some level, all of this is kind of simple. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for understanding that Virginia will work hard to support you because we not only want you to be successful, but we need you to be successful.

I think having a company with the historical legacy of youth coming here shows that we have a community that has something to offer. We have so much opportunity for growth here in Martinsville County. We're a 236-y old business founded in 1789 in Colonial Philadelphia. From the day we set foot here and felt like it was a great fit for our company culture, uh the types of employees we need. The labor base here is fantastic. The local utilities have been incredibly supportive. The transportation hub coming out of is huge for us because we import a lot of product. So all of those elements made a great fit for us and just felt like home. It speaks well for the the existing workforce and the training that we have. It'll be a great compliment to the folks that are here that that manufacture and make products. That's really our strong people that want to make something come here. It really falls down to our residents and our citizens here that have a demonstrated hard work ethic that makes companies want to come here and they fulfill those jobs and meet the mission of companies.

This announcement of Nathan Troder is just another example of the great kind of companies that we're able to attract. I think the quality of this company, the legacy of this company is proof positive that we are a community of value and we're a community where business can happen and manufacturing can happen. Everybody's always watching. So when other companies read about this announcement and see that a company that's nearly 250 years old, has the confidence to leave their home state for the first time and come to Henry County. It speaks volumes about the kind of partnership that we can provide for other companies. Okay. Just a couple of those.

Major manufacturing investment is coming to Henry County, bringing jobs, innovation, and a firstofits-kind facility to Southwest Virginia. As WDJ7's Taylor Lock reports, how it could help bring critical production back to American soil. New jobs, new industry, and a new chapter for Henry County. A metals manufacturer is set to invest millions right here behind me. That could change the way tin is processed in the US. This great business, Nathan Troder, will invest $65 million and hire 118 people.

This land and Patriot Center Industrial Park will soon turn in to this, a firstofits-kind tin production and processing facility. When we say made in America, I want it to say made in Virginia. Governor Glenn Yncan has championed that vision. Right now, the US relies heavily on foreign sources for 10, a critical part in everything from semiconductors to defense and energy products. We have seen the production and processing of a lot of these critical minerals just extend around the world, but none of it's here.

The governor says that changes today. The company behind the project is Nathan Troder, a familyrun business based in Pennsylvania. Partner Tyler Morris says this will be the first expansion beyond state lines. To your question about why Henry County, I mean, skilled workforce, uh, a lot of the infrastructure that you literally can see in the background here, right? That substation on site. We need electrical power. We need other things to make sure that, you know, our investment is going to get to a point where we stand it up quickly and and can start doing what we want to do, which is providing jobs. 118 jobs to be exact. Something the governor says is a big deal for rural Virginia.

That is a giant statement. We will see more jobs. We'll see more families that raise raise their families here. We will see more contribution to the local economy in a big way. And that's what this is all about. While the shovels are in the ground now, work won't be underway until the end of the year. Leaders say they are calling the brand name Tin Ridge to honor the Blue Ridge Mountains right here in Southwest Virginia. Reporting in Henry County, Taylor Lock, WDBJ7.

Uh, also, you know, that's been a good day. We've the new Shell building is coming online. and it is already generating a lot of um prospect interest. You can see the artist rendering. If you've ridden by on lot two across from Bassid, you'll see uh this building's up. It's really an attractive building. It'll be finished probably over the next um month or six weeks. So, it is getting very close to being completed, but already being marketed. This will give you a little bit of a a drone uh view of it just in the last couple of days. uh it's 100,000 square feet expandable to 400,000 which is really critical as a lot of folks are looking for larger buildings. Um gives you an idea be a lot of glass in it. The color scheme is different than we've used before. I think it's going to be very attractive. So that gives you a little bit of an idea of that and how that looks. Track two at common crossing is equally generating a lot of uh pro prospect interest. You can see that uh the master plan track two is 150 acre pad. This is looking at it um view to the north and you can see all the orange is graded. The grading we expect to be completed uh by the end of October and again this track's already generating quite a bit of interest. Um and we have applied as you see in our report to reup our ready sites designation through the site selectors gill that's looking to the south and to the east and to the west which is really a great view because you have the mountains in the background. Uh it's going to be a great site for us. So, that's a real quick update of what's been going on in

September. It's been a busy month, but be happy to try to answer any questions you might have. Does anyone have any questions of Mark at this time? Mark, I think on behalf of board and uh uh between staff and the EDC uh staff members, you all helped Henry County put its best foot forward on the day that we had uh statewide attention to the area and I really appreciate that and I know the board appreciate.

It's our pleasure doing this. Everything was first first class all the way down to uh making sure that you had adequate facilities on on spot if necessary. And uh I just think as the older we get, we realize how important. But again, thank you. Thank you for We'll take up financial matters at this time. Um uh under agenda item number 88A, an additional appropriation referencing the clerical position for the clerk of court, Mr. Wagner.

Circuit court clerk Jennifer Ashworth is asking the board to appropriate miscellaneous refunds and revenues in the amount of $10,000. She plans to use the funds for salary expenses for a part-time position in her office. Right. Um, in regard to this additional appropriation, what action would the board uh desire to take? Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $10,000 for the circuit court clerical position. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh, Jennifer 8B, an additional appropriation referencing an insurance settlement for parks and wreck. Uh Dale Roger Adams, director of parks and recreation, is requesting the board to approve an additional appropriation of $25,968 received from an insurance settlement. Recently, a tree fell on a shelter at JC Park was shoring the structure. The funds will be used to make the repairs to the shelter. In regard to this additional appropriation, um what does the board uh desire to do?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $25,968 received from the insurance settlement. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh, Jennifer 8 C, an additional appropriation referencing fresh fruit and vegetable program for the school board. Mr. Swag

school board is requesting that divorce supervisors approve an additional appropriation of $239,100 to the school's nutrition budget for the fresh fruit and vegetable program in the elementary schools. The funds are provided by the Virginia Department of Education from United States Department of Agricultural Allocation. There's several members of the school board office here. Did you have any questions? Right. Board has background material on that. Uh if someone would like to offer a motion, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriations of $239,100 to the public school nutrition budget for the fresh fruit and vegetable program. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor is uh 6. Jennifer uh 8, an additional appropriation referencing the 1% sales tax funds for new construction and renovation for the school board. Mr. Wagner,

the school board is requesting two appropriations totaling $1,859,700 from the 1% of the sales tax fund designated for new construction and renovation of schools. Of this amount, $1,689,700 would be used to install new elevators at Mason and GW Carver elementary schools, while $170,000 would fund architectural engineering services to replace the main electrical switch gear at Fielddale Collinsville and Laurel Park Middle School.

Again, uh you've been provided the background material on this. Uh what action would the board like to take? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the appropriation of $1,859,700 from the uh 1% sales tax fund for new construction and renovation of schools as requested by the school board. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? is 6 Jennifer 8E an additional appropriation and award of contract referencing reservoir road reconstruction for the engineering and mapping department. Mr. Wagner

Tim Pace, director of engineering and mapping is requesting the board approve an additional appropriation of $915,846 received from the Virginia Department of Transportation revenue sharing fund. The funds are designated for the reconstruction of Reservoir Road located in Ridgeway District and adjacent to Commonwealth Crossing Business Center. Mr. Pace is also asking the board to award a contract of 1,975,17 to Hannes Brothers Incorporated for the Reservoir Road Reconstruction Project. Following a request for bids, Haynes Brothers Incorporated submitted the lowest bid and was selected for the project. The additional funding for this project is provided through the Appalachin Region Commission, Virginia Department of Transportation VOTE revenue sharing agreement program and the local matching funds, all of which is already that

right. Um, even though this is a project that the board wraps its arms around, Mr. Puit, I believe this is in your district. Yes, sir. I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation. Sorry. Yeah. the additional appropriation of $915,846 and awarding a contract of $1,975,117 to HS Brothers Incorporated for the reconstruction of Reservoir Road. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor is 6. Uh, Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item number nine,formational items. Uh, and we'll take comments from the board starting with Dr. Cobbler. None. Uh, Mr. Puit, I don't have anything. Mr. Dylan? No, sir. Mr. Bennett? I do. Okay.

I have a couple. Um, [Music] all right. I I know that um Mr. Wagner, the county administrator, uh had passed out uh the legislative agenda and I wanted to talk a little bit more about that because I had talked to Dale uh in regard to one of the requests and um the Blue Ridge Airport is a regional hub for our community. So I want us hopefully to wrap our our arms around it and provide it provides an avenue for medical transport, economic development and tourism with the runway extension to accommodate larger jets for corporate travel and the proposed expansion of a new terminal. New opportunities on the western side of Henry County are possible. For many years, I've talked about the need for further expansion of water and sewer up 58 West. I know that studies have been done to provide the estimated costs uh with the last numbers that um Mr. Wagner gave me uh was 7 million for sewer and 5 million for water. Uh I had the opportunity again to talk with our legislators um Eric Phillips, Ren Williams, and Bill Stanley regarding the need for water and sewer up 58 West and was told uh to make sure that all three legislators are included in any request that Henry County might have. and they said it's pre preferable to just uh provide them with a one-page synopsis. Uh I would like to see these requests of water and sewer be included in our legislative agenda, which Mr. um Wagner has done. Uh as well as making sure that Henry County is applying for all possible grants and loans with loan forgiveness through the DEEQ and the Department of Health. So I don't need to make a motion for that because it is on the legislative agenda. Just want to make sure that all three of our legislators do get a one-page summary of what we're looking for.

Yeah. And if I could, let me update the most recent numbers. We we called our engineering firm that did the initial preliminary engineering reports to update today to today's price. So, the numbers are a little bit low low. Uh but the primary cost for the sewer line is $10.8 million. It's going up. And then the water line is $3.8 million. So, we'll update those numbers in the one page synopsis as well. Thank you. All right. I have if we could Do you have another? I do. Okay.

All right. Um, I've also talked with um a county administrator in regard to this and I've not given a lot of thought to it until um I saw on the news the recent ban by Rono City in regard to wolf dogs and I had um our county administr uh county uh attorney u look into it. Um, I was told that the local governments do not have the authority to regulate what breeds of dogs you may own. Is that right, Mr. Ly?

That's the latest I had. I'm I'm I've got to call in Dona to find out what they're doing. I don't know exactly how they're doing it. But if there's been a change or if they have charter authority, I don't know. But but that's historically in Virginia. We there's a dangerous dog ordinance and that's all we've been able to do is based on the behavior of the dog and not regulate breeds. um if there's I was unaware if there's been a recent change or if they have different authority in Rono. Okay. All right. I understand that you cannot ban a specific dog breed, but exceptions do exist for wolf dog hybrids. Okay.

And if it addresses public safety, so I understand that wolf hybrids are legal in Virginia, but a number of states have banned them or restricted them with grandfather clauses on these hybrids. So anyway, uh they have uh but they do require local permits and they have to be registered because of their aggressive, unpredictable, and instinctive behavior. So I'm bringing this topic up for Henry County just to keep it on the radar at this point. I hadn't thought a lot about it until it's been several months ago. I was riding through Henry County and I can't even tell you where I was at, but I saw a dog in the yard and I looked at it and I thought it was a um um not a fox, but a

coyote. Coyote in the yard. And I looked, but then I realized it had a collar on. So, I couldn't quite figure out what it was. And I came home and told somebody about it. Could have been what I was thinking. could have been a wolf dog or could have been a coyote that someone had brought home and raised. Who knows? But anyway, not to be silly about it. But in the area that we do live in, it's a lot of it is rural. So there is a lot of wildlife, there's livestock, there's chickens, smaller outdoor cats and dogs, and also, you know, small children that play. So um just something to think about. And if Mr. Lyall would try to find out.

I think we need to be one step ahead as as opposed to two steps back. I'll follow up. That's all I've got. Thank you, Mr. Quiet. No, sir. I'm going to yield my time to uh our registar and have her comment on how many we've had to early vote so far, if she will. And I know she will. She just wasn't expecting that. Yes.

So, we have checked in 108 mail ballots. Um, as of last count earlier, we were at 409 voters. That was this morning. I haven't gotten a local or an update this afternoon, but yeah. So, that's that's a lot considering the first day we had 28 voters and for the presidential election, the first day we had 394. So, I think that says a lot that a lot of people are trying to come out and early vote. So, Thank you all for the preparation of this and um uh and again we always encourage people to go out and vote. Are you getting what you need as far as the resources for election day and uh staffing the uh precincts?

Yes sir, we are. And we've got a new software program where we're able to actually email and communicate electronically with a lot of our workers which is new to them and to us. Excuse me. So, it's had a positive impact and I think the younger generations will probably appreciate that a little bit more than the old snail mail and telephone calls. So, thank you all for what you're doing. My understanding there will be two Saturdays as well that are dedicated toward early voting. Uh maybe the last Saturday in October and November 1. Yes, sir. That's correct. All right. All right. Well, thank you very much,

Mr. Wagner. So I have three items and they all lead back to the legislative agenda. So okay in in some fashion.

Uh the first item is we received a request from Dr. Mark Crasher asking if supervisory would consider um supporting the resolution presented where Patrick Canyon Community College would take over the operation of the new college building and make it the Patrick Workforce Economic Development Building in Baltimore Park. There's been some news coverage on that. to uh they are asking if we would like to write a letter of support or you know legislative item uh supporting that transition of new college to Patrick and human community college. Do you want to discuss them individually or you want

I think maybe this would be a good stopping point to discuss that. Are most of you familiar with what's going on there? And uh I I can say I'm not that familiar with it. No, sir. Okay. All right. I I wasn't familiar with Okay. Mr. Crabtree's request.

So, uh Dr. Mark Crabtree is on the board for the new college institute. Um him and two other members of the board has taken a an I wouldn't say an aggressive approach, but a proactive approach to um decide the direction of new college institute. As you know, over the past two general assembly budgets, uh funding for the new college was stricken from the governor's budget on both occasions and it had to be added back to the new general by the general assembly. Um so there's been some uncertainty about the future of new college. So Mark Crabtree and others are lobbying for a cause to ensure that we have a institution of education here in our community in that building that it be turned over to the new uh Patrick Henry and it become the workforce and economic development center and it be operated by Patrick Henry Community College. Um if you know our endorsement would just be a letter support if you so choose to do so. It it's many steps that has to take place. Um, of course, the the council for higher education has to approve it. The general assembly would have to approve the funding for the community college system would have to approve the inclusion of it. So, there's a lot of steps in this process because they were asking for your support up front. He would be so

and Dale you also he would be a revenue neutral event for the community that the money spent on NCI would go to Patrick Henry an equal amount. Yeah. And that's what they're asking for. It wouldn't be like an unfunded gift or transfer. All right. You all have any thoughts on that? Uh is there something that uh community members will support? Yeah, I I support it because I think that that the new college institute needs needs assistance in a sense like that, but it would it would be a perfect fit for Patrick and any community college to get involved with that because the college itself, you know,

and Mr. Mr. Chairman, I knew I threw this on some of you and I u never heard of it. So, I apologize for that. So, it may be a better approach on this topic and a couple of the others that instead of putting all the members on the spot right at this moment, we'll talk about it and then maybe if you were all ready to take action on them at 6:00, we can do that. If not, we can do it at a future part of the meeting. But, that'll give everybody more time to think about it. All right. You said you had a couple of items.

I do. So, that's one of the items related to the legislative agenda. Another item that just uh recently just got today, but they they want to answer quickly as possible. Uh many of you are familiar with the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor. It's an effort to uh bring more attention to what will most likely be the fourth largest economy in Virginia. That area extends from Martinsville up to Run Oak and New River Valley. And there's a whole collective effort that was generated from the private sector to uh get more attention in this area with more funding going into road infrastructure and airports and all the things that uh support a growing economy. Uh there is some data out there. If we're stay on our growth trajectory as far as jobs and economic development in this region, it will be the fourth largest economy in the state by 2035. and uh it's a an effort that says we need to get ahead of it and we need to take action on it. So the organizers of the brick the blue ridge innovation corridor is asking us for our support for a uh a grant application to the go Virginia region two and three uh and part of that grant requires every locality commit send up to $10,000 in inind funding. So, uh, I think it's a very worthy cause. You, uh, may remember that effort got started right here in Henry County with some of our business folks in our community and I served with that committee in its early days. Uh, and it kind of mirrors a some time back those who've been on the board. We had the effort uh with Franklin County and Runok County to do some synergy along the the corridor and now we have the leadership of the business community taking a run on that. So, um, I would like to ask you for your support on that and make a commitment to that, but I'll get give you a chance to think about that as well if you want to do that.

And then kind of rolled into all this is the legislative agenda. I normally get to this to you in advance for consideration. Um, you know, we're going to do it on next month's agenda, but when Deborah brought the item up about the water and tour, I decided to put this out there to you now for your to to get in your hands. Everything on this agenda should not be a surprise to you. It's pretty much a lot of what we've had in the past. U, we've done it in several different ways in the past. One one year we did it on a postcard, nailed it to every general assembly member in the state. Last year we took a more comprehensive approach where we it was about a four-page document to described every one of these items. So I took all the items I think it's important to summarize it to one page. U and I say that this is just like a checklist of what's important to the county. It's not all inclusive and it's not uh detailed how we would approach. We don't just develop this and leave it at that. Uh, and I give you example like for the water and sewer project, Miss Buchanan mentioned, you know, we'll we'll expand on that. We'll we'll provide additional detail where it's needed most to try to get funding for it. Another great example is, you know, funding the Mayo River State Park. It's one little line item on this, but our efforts are much more broader than just that. You know, we had people from the state here to look at the park and hike the trails and we've been to Richmond before. So, we'll pick out the big items and you really go after those with our our lobbyists and through our uh legislative representatives. So, the really the kind of the couple things that are kind of new on this is the water and sew project. Um, and if you go down under public safety and justice, the very last item is uh we're working really hard. The sheriff has uh had quite a few conversations with general assembly members and uh is currently the

compensation board policy that penalizes local jails for housing federal inmates or out of state inmates. And I don't want to get in a lot of detail, but if you're interested, the sheriff can explain it all to you. But it basically makes it impractical from a financial perspective to house inmates from other out jurisdictions outside of uh Virginia or if they're federal inmates. So we want to get that remedy because it's really hindering their ability to make a difference in uh their operation, recover income, you know, for the operation of the jail. So we've added that and we we're working that in many different avenues as well. So I provide that to you as well. U at some point I'd like formal approval of the legislative agenda. If it's anything else you'd like to add, you provide those to me and we can either take action later today or next month, whatever your pleasure is. But these are the items I'm we're going to be working on, you know, now unless you tell us not to. We're going to go ahead and get started on even though we may have formal approval from you all.

Right. I got a couple more items unrelated though just to make sure there's no questions on this.

All right. So, uh just one more thing. I got a piece of glass I want to show off to you all. Uh Henry County recently was presented an award from VOTE called excellence in act active transportation bicycle and pedestrian for 2025. You say wow you know all why can't they use this money to mow grass right? U and the reason I I bring this to you it's attention it's not about a project it was granted to us for uh phase six of the Dick and Willow Trail which is a great project. We received a reward for the management of the project. So, county staff, Tim Pace and his crew, Daryl Jones and the finance office, um, and everything that went in to make that project and, and if you ever seen the paperwork related to a VOTE project, it's massive. It's headaches and uh, this uh, group of folks did a tremendous job to the point that they recognized for how great a job we did with the paperwork. And apparently that's not common or they wouldn't give an award for it. So kudos to Tim and Daryl and all their crew. And we carried this down to give it to Daryl cuz he loves working with VOT and all the people. Um one one last thing. Um county fair starts tomorrow, runs through Saturday, and there will be a ribbon cutting at 4:55 tomorrow uh the main entrance if you want to attend the ribbon cut.

That's all Mr. Chair.

All right. Thank you. That takes us to agenda item 10. If someone will cite uh the items allowed by the uh code of Virginia and Freedom of Information Act to allow us to go into closed meeting. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that the board convenes in a closed meeting as permitted under the following sections of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. 2.23711A1, discussion of appointees to the Blue Ridge Regional Library Board. 2.23711 22 3711 A7 for discussion of pending legal matters. 2.23711 A3 for discussion of the acquisition disposal of real estate and 2.2371185 for discussion as yet unannounced industries.

Second. There's motion second. All in favor is 6 jumper. I'll see you all upstairs in 5 minutes. Uh close meeting on a motion by Ms. Buchanan, second by Mr. Puit. Miss Pow, will you call the board please? Yes, sir. Best of knowledge on public law exempted from open meeting requirements under code Virginia section 2371 discussed meeting how you vote Mr. Adams. Yes, sir. Mr. B. Yes, sir. Mr. Yes, sir. Mr. Bill. Yes, sir. Dr. Yes, sir. Mr. Brook.

Yes, sir. Um, Mr. Buchanan, I believe that you have a uh district appointment for the board's consideration. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I move that the board appoint Sherice Haristen to the Blue Ridge Regional Library Board uh representing the Horse Pasture District for an unexpired term that ends June 30th, 2027. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6 agenda? Mr. Puit, I believe that uh a settlement and some litigation uh you uh would like to bring before the board.

Yes, sir. I move the Henry County Board of Supervisors approve the county's participation in the proposed settlements of opioid related claims against Alvagen, Amnil, Apotex, Hakeema, Indivore, Milan, Sun and Zidus and their related corporate entities and directed county attorney and outside council to execute the documents necessary to affectuate the county's participation in the settlements by adopting the attached resolution dated today. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's 6. Jennifer. And uh Mr. Wagner, um is uh in regard to the uh legislative package uh even up until the time that um um if there's any finetuning, we can still offer some um later on. Correct. Yes, that's correct. And it's often when we get into session and we come back for action, immediate action where we take back there in session if something goes in a particular direction. So to answer your question,

one of the reason I'm bringing it up is you all had this before you and Mr. Buchanan uh you you spoke to it uh earlier this afternoon and this is not unlike uh as mentioned before some of the things that um we've had in the past plus um uh Dr. Cobble and I serve on West Pedmont Planning District Commission. Uh they're also looking for direction as far as legislative packages and as early as possible to forward each localities's uh wishes and desires as to what they would like to be communicate that helps them to assemble this together. And again, we're talking about multiple counties in the region and cities and town of Rocky Mount uh as well. So, uh um would anyone like to offer a motion that uh we uh direct staff uh to forward uh this um what's before you to our legislators?

I'll make a motion. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion or clarification needed on this? Mr. Chairman, if I may ask one question, sir. We are we including support of Patrick Henry Community College taking over the NCI or we going to address that separate. I was going to ask you about that and you obviously have talked with the NCI folks and are they glad about this also? It seems like it seems like a very positive thing but so I've only talked with two of the board members that proposed a resolution of the three. Okay. Talk with Dr. crab tree and Cleveland

and they see it as a direction to have stability in that facility and and use it for uh something that's needed in this area and you know Patrick and Henry has signed on and said they would make use of it and that's

I would include that my motion to to do that. So, it's what you have before you and also include uh support of a resolution u uh in regard to the Bowwin building as described u becoming part of Patrick and Henry Community College and the stated purposes. There's been newspaper stories on it um as well uh for some of the obvious reasons of u moving forward and uh you know with states supporting this uh and the college and uh I think you mentioned revenue neutral to the area.

Yes. And one of the other things I think that u consideration is um I guess uh some of the separation of philosophies on the foundation supporting uh the educational side of it. There's been some disagreements there and they're hoping that maybe this resolves some of that uh those issues as well. So uh we've got motion from Mr. through it in a second and I can't recall who who made a second. I

Dr. Cobbler. Any other questions or clarifications? All in favor? It would be 6 g. Mr. Wagner, do you have any items that we need to consider prior to recess? I do not. Thank you. Board members, do you?

If not, I will declare recess at 50:04. We'll uh start our evening session promptly. Six. I'll call the 6 p.m. session of the September 23rd, 2025 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors back to order from our recess of the afternoon session. I'd like to welcome all of our visitors. Remind you if you want to address the board, you must sign up 7 days in advance of any of our regular meetings to be put on the agenda. The county administrator is the contact person for the board. However, the public may address the board under the agenda item matters presented by the public that will take up later in tonight's meeting uh as agenda item number 13. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and uh participating uh in your county government. The first thing that we have tonight, uh agenda item number 11 is a presentation of the Henry County Headliner Award. Uh Mr. Wagon, will you give us a little bit of background and then I'm going to call on Supervisor Dillard to give us some additional information?

Sure. Yeah. In 2022, the board supervisors established the Henry County Award to recognize individuals whose accomplishments extend beyond Henry County and brings positive recognition to our community. This award honors residents who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and whose achievement serves as a source of pride for any county and as you mentioned Mr. further information about her.

Yes, sir. And I appreciate the opportunity to introduce this young lady and um I've had an opportunity to meet her over the last few years and most of it was somewhere dealing with basketball or policing and um have found her to be the same person in every situation. Just a great individual. And just to give you a little bit of history about her, um, she played, uh, she was a four-year starter and a point guard and a floor leader for Farm College. And she helped guide, uh, Farm to the 2006 2007 USA South championship. And she broke school the school record for assist in a game. And she dished out 16 assist in that championship game. and she earned rookie of the week honors twice, made the all-American team, and was named all conference. And this year, all those accomplishments were honored when she was inducted into the Farm College Hall of Fame. And that was just recently. And not only has she, you know, done well on the basketball court, but she's shown hard work, leadership, and determination. And you can do whatever you want to do, not just for your team, but also for your community. and now she continues to make an impact every day right here with our young folk uh with the Henry County Sheriff's Department. And you know, with that being said, I also want to make sure I mention that she was just recently named the head girls basketball coach at Carile. And so we want to call up Miss Ashley Norton to come on down so she can receive this community headline award. And in doing so, we also would like to ask you to come up and sign these for each of our uh board members. I am not joking. That is you. That is your own card. We actually now I do have to say this and we're going to

have to get on Brandon. She played at Magna Vista. He selected blue and orange. Now, he said these were the only two colors that would work on that card. That's what he said. So, I don't know if that's a conspiracy or not, but we would like for you to sign each of the board members card and afterwards we'd love you to have a few words and congratulations. [Applause] Absolutely. Oh my gosh.

You got to sign this one right here. I'll do it with the passing blue.

Absolutely. I want to say a few comments about Ashley. Uh oh. Known you for a long time. Ash uh Ashley actually grew up in the same community that I live in and I very familiar with this young lady. Um I knew her mom, her siblings, aunts, uncles, maternal grandparents and she was dynamite uh in high school in sports. I tell you, she dominated sports. She was good at it. Always knew she would be. Uh and she's done very well for herself. Thank you. I appreciate Yeah. Actually, we also have a full pack.

I'll give those out for sure. Well, if it were limited to this, we'd have them on eBay tonight. I know a guy I know a guy that sells a lot of stuff on Tik Tok. And if you wouldn't mind, we're going to circle behind Dr. Cobba over here and the entire board and have our picture with you. Absolutely. [Music] You got to stand. I don't want to block. Let me go over here so I'm not blocking. Oh, you're block.

It's almost a mug shot. You got one more.

Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Congratulations. Even better. I love that. Thank you very much. Thanks. Yes, sir. Well, thank you guys for coming. I wasn't prepared for this at all. Actually had a call at 4:00 today here. So, I appreciate you guys coming. Sheriff thought to come and support me and thank you guys so much for the recognition. I never thought I would get that kind of recognition but here I am. Thank you guys. Go. [Applause] [Music]

Okay. Our next agenda item is general highway matters. We have with us David Kaisle from VOTE. David, welcome. Good evening. I uh just have a few titles to give you a update on tonight. The two hike projects that we had going on on on 683, the Great Road in Meadowwood Trail have finished. Um they'll be paving the Great Road location this week. Um uh the down flashing lights at 687 um a few weeks ago uh double wide um booked them and caught them down. Um or or district personnel will be meeting with the contractors out there next week. So hopefully they'll be reinstalling that um very quickly after that meeting. Only other thing is we are ramping up the last round of mowing. Um the horse pasture area headquarters is already working on 220 business and and they the rest of the crew and the other area headquarters will fully start mowing the primaries on October the 6th to get everything uh cleaned up and done before the race weekend. And after we do that, then we'll go to finishing up anything for the rest of the year on the secondary. And that's the only uh item I have for.

So just a just a question. Secondaries, how much time frame are we looking at on secondary roads? Some areas um have just recently mowed a lot of their roads, so they may not have to get those again. Others, it's been a while, so they're tall. So, it's it's kind of it's hard to say cuz it's kind of all over the the place, but I know it shouldn't take more than than a few weeks at at least depending on weather to do the primaries cuz this is the last mowing. So, we'll be mowing everything within the rideway, all the large areas that Well, I you know, I do know clearly drive the grass is over six foot tall in spots.

Mhm. Yes. And if those um safety issues at any intersections, we'll have citizens call us and call the 800 number or let us know because we will address those as soon as we know about them. Otherwise, you know, they they'll be once they get the primaries done, they'll move straight to to getting the secondaries.

The the clover leaf at Basset Forks. And I'm I'm going to take liberty just to talk about this two or three minutes and we've just decided that we're just going to keep bringing this stuff up. Uh it's nothing new, but I've been on the board for a year and a half now. And again, weekly someone since I've been a board member has said something to me about the mowing and the trash. And I attended almost every board meeting prior to my becoming a supervisor. and it was constant and ongoing uh communication and issues with it. We invited delegate Phillips last board meeting to address this because we are being told that that we just have to have more money in the budget from the state budget for our our region and our areas because of more money going to the roads and the trash in Northern Virginia and other places. and we're not sure that that's a satisfactory answer. And then we also invited Senator Stanley uh because he did put in he told us when we saw him this past week an additional a bill for an additional $25 million for our area that it did not pass. Uh but he said he would continue to work on it and he will plan to he is planning to come back to our district to specifically talk about these issues. And we had the greater Basset Area Council who has they they got their signs adopt uh highway and and all that which beautiful signs up in Basset and they're they they're doing a great job and we are asking more community organizations to get involved. So I'm just going to mention it again and the and I'll just take a couple more minutes if that's okay. Mr. Adams, we had a joint planning commission with the the board of zoning yesterday where we've been working on the plan and a few

a few of us just admittedly said that we were a little bit jealous of Ridgeway and the the way that it looks coming into Henry County from that from that from that area in 220 and then coming from Renault south into Henry County is my district and it Something's got to be done. It's embarrassing. And I want to start with the clover leaf. And the last thing that I'll say about it with the trash and the mowing. I just came from there today. And my word, it's it's a it's an aggressive word or serious work. It is an outrage what it looks like. So something's going to have to be done with the the budget and the VOTE and Henry County and our community groups and everything. And I do have a question. And I mentioned this to someone earlier today. Is there it's it's not going to be free, I understand, but the Greater Basset Area Council had a conversation about having a piece of machinery. Uh I don't know what the answer is. Is there a piece of machinery that can be bought or talked about budgeting for when things are mowed, but it also sucks up the grass and the trash at the same time? When we mow our yards, it it just, you know, people have they have those collect the grass collectors on their lawnmowers. Is there something not a sweeper that just blows it back and not uh and this another uh individual said that they've seen people just blowing it back off the road? It it's not being picked up. But is there machinery or is there apparatus apparatus? Is there something that could collect the trash as it's being mowed when it's mowed? And I'll thank you, Mr. Adams. And I'll stop there.

I was writing that down just so I can see some notes in your as of that last call. I don't know. I can definitely ask Ron. I know I've never seen any attempt to have anything like that used, but it doesn't mean there's nothing out there. So, it's it's worth checking in to see if if anything does exist. Thank you. Okay. Others.

Yeah. I I uh and I agree exactly what you said, uh Miss Cogler. Um, I talked to Lisa VOTE and told her that uh whenever the county is going to mow in their districts is to let us know several days before so we can make arrangements with the county to get the trash picked up first before they go through and mow it and scatter that trash all over the place. See, they not been doing that. They haven't been notifying us that they're going to mow the grass. And then when they mow the grass, they hit that trash and like Miss Carlo says, it goes everywhere. Uh I'm and I'm I'm in my mind thinking how you going to separate the grass from the trash that goes up into the culprit to come catch it. You know,

it may be a way to do it. But if we could get notified uh and I told her about Clear View Drive especially, it's call me, you know, a few days before uh you're going to mow Clear View Drive because it's got trash all down in those weeds. All down in the weeds and we can get that picked out of it so it won't be scattered all over the place. So I think I think coordination would help a lot if we could coordinate with B do the time that you're going to be knowing the grass instead of them just mowing it at their own time. Okay. Does anyone else have any items from Mr. Kaiser? David, thank you. Thank you all.

That takes us to agenda item 13, matters presented by the public. We had uh two people that signed up tonight and I have met one and Mr. Miller here.

Not seeing or being able to identify uh we'll go ahead and uh one person that signed up on the matters presented by the public was Miss Melody Melanie Hampton. And I have a brief policy statement to read prior to coming and this applies to anyone else uh as well speaking under matters presented by the public. This is a time for public comment. We welcome your participation in tonight's meeting. We're here to listen to you. Uh if you care to address board, come to the podium. State your name, your subject matter, and the district in which you live. By coming to the podium, you have agreed that you'll exhibit respect for the board and its members and the staff. You will receive the same consideration from the board and staff. Please try to keep your presentation to no more than five minutes. So, Miss Hampton,

good evening. I am Melanie Hampton. I am a lifelong resident of the Heights community in the Collinsville district and I have been on this journey for about a year and a half. I started in February of 24. I sat down and met with Wayne Davis in his office for about 2 hours one evening. I had gathered information, GIS, property cards, uh, tenant information or homeowner information, contact information, pictures of the current situation of the properties and many of them were a disaster to say the least. Um, in March of 24, Wayne Davis referred me over to Timmy Robertson, who is the deputy, I'm sure you know, over the trash mowing and such ordinances with the county. Um, Officer Robertson has told me on multiple occasions that he is extremely covered up, that he has more on his plate than he can handle, and I'm sure he does. And looking at the county, I don't doubt him at all. Um, he did tell me with a few of the properties that he prefers the friendly approach and I totally get that on first, second, and maybe even third attempt to get something done. Um, the handful of properties that I've brought to their attention seem to be the same properties year after year after year. We have to go out to these same properties every single time. Um, I feel like at some point we're wasting taxpayers dollars. We're wasting deputies time that they could be spent doing something that was a little more productive. I feel like at some point we should start enforcing some fines and the jail time that is in the county's bylaws or whatever you call those. Um, I understand. I've been told by many

different people, Joe, Timmy, even Wayne, that when we try to enforce these laws or we try to enforce these fines that when they get to the judge, the judge turns them away. I can't hold the judge accountable and I can't hold the judge's feet to the fire if it never gets to him. If he never sees it. And in the event that we get a judge that is willing to stand behind it, there's no paper trail. We're starting from scratch once we get one of those judges in place to try to get that done. There's no paper trail. That judge has got to start from scratch. So, um, in summer of 24, Robertson referred me to Joe Bryant. And Joe has gotten some things done. He got some yards mowed. He had a camper that we had meth addicts living in removed from our neighborhood. We did get those things done. Um I have some pictures to share of just some of the properties and some of what we're dealing with. And I just want all of you to try to imagine living next door to these properties. Um the pictures don't even they don't even bring justice to what it really looks like in person. You're all I encourage all of you to ride out and see these properties. The first property is 280 Sunrise Avenue. There was a fire, a large house fire in this property in November of 22. Um, TA with public safety told me that the living room floor burned completely through in this property and there's been no lights, no running water, no taxes have been paid on this house since 2015, even prior to the fire. Um, the amount without the collection agency fees that is owed to the county right now is $4,911. The people are still staying in the home with no running water, no electricity. I'm curious as to where we're using the

bathroom and where we're showering. They have since added a camper to the driveway. We're not zoned for living in campers. I've been told we have to prove that they're living in the camper. There's a generator right beside of the camper. And if anyone went out after dark, they would find them living in said camper. That is this property here. And I actually have two of this property. One is from a side view. This is straight on in front of the house. Um you can see it's not a very pleasant picture. And then I have the side view that's actually from a neighbor who called the police a week ago because the gentleman came out of the camper unclothed in front of her children and walked to the house. So that's the kind of people we have. I understand as of today that both of these people are in jail for one reason or another. They tend to stay in and out of jail. Then my next property is sorry um 269 Lafayette. Um the homeowner that has the home and doesn't live in it. He I think got married and moved out of the home. The home's been empty for at least 10 years. Every year this house grows up to this extent and then the county has to go, "Can you clean your house up?" Every single year. Every year. You can barely tell there's a house there. Barely tell there's a house here. And that's every single year. Every year I have 247 Lafayette. There is a whole entire yard of untagged vehicles. And I was told by officer Robertson that he had a soft spot for one of the people that lived in this home because he'd had

a rough life and kind of felt bad for him. That home is also the mother of one of our state troopers. So I feel like there's a we don't want to hurt anybody's feelings or we don't want to overstep and make anybody mad, but I'm kind of beyond that at this point. We've got a whole It looks like a junkyard. Chris Beaks has salvage at the bottom of the hill that looks better than this property by all means. And he was made to put up a privacy fence to hide his mess. Um I have 119 Pinnacle Drive has been I think it's in an estate of and it's been vacant for quite some time as well and it's not quite as bad as the others, but it does stay grown up and the yard is never mowed. just kind of falls over and the next year comes in right behind it. I have 114 Dudley Drive which is two houses below me. Um it has been recently foreclosed. No one's living in the home. Um I think Joe did get the county to mow that recently, but you have they have to be reminded every time to do something with this. And um somebody recently parked a boat trailer in that lot. So I guess we're going to just have to jump up there now. So, it's like there anywhere there's a vacant spot in our neighborhood, people just kind of tend to start piling things in. Um, at one time the house that has all the cars, we Joe had had sent someone over and asked them that they would have to get rid of the untagged vehicles. They moved them three houses up to a house that has a reverse mortgage on it that's empty. And they sat there for months and I had to beg, borrow, and plead to get anyone to say someone say something to them. Nobody wanted to say anything because of who the son is and would make anyone mad. They did finally get those cars out, but they moved them back to their house instead of getting rid of them. We're just moving them from place to

place. A year and a half into this, I feel like I have been the game piece for patch the buck. Every time I ask someone, I don't get very far. And I also feel like um some of the properties are landlord properties. I think that if we cannot enforce having a landlord be held accountable for their property, then maybe we need to make some changes or some amendments that make a landlord have to be accountable. We have one property in particular that I called them myself when I started this. Um there is right now, as I'm speaking, a trailer full of trash and the ground beside of it full of household trash bags. And when I called the landlord and mentioned this to him, there's great big letters beside of the door that says, "Leave boots here." The post had been knocked out from under the front porch and they came in and just put 6x6s under them. I was told by the landlord, I don't care what they do as long as they pay their rent. Don't feel like any of y'all want to live beside of that. Can we enforce stricter landlaw rules? Can we do something that makes these landlords a lot of these landlords don't even live here? I work in homeowners insurance and I deal with rental properties on day in and day out and most of your landlords don't even live in this area. They can care less what our area looks like. I feel like that we should make some amendments enforced and hold people speak to the fire. I think it's time to start throwing fines and start making people accountable. We have 14 homes that are being built in our neighborhood by the county. And these people are going to look at those homes right through our neighborhood and they see all the mess and they're going to think one of two things. They're going to think, "I don't want to live over here." Or they're going to think they won't mind if I have trash in my yard or if I have cars stacked up one on top of the other. We're not setting the bar very high for the new houses that are coming in as well. All

right. Anybody have any input on what we can do to move forward? Well, as I stated, we're here to listen and then there may be some discussion and I do know that uh u very aggressively uh the uh sheriff's department has been making some notes in the back of the room as well.

Okay, this I just want to share one more picture and I'll wrap up. This was the sign going into our neighborhood. Um, as of a few weeks ago, my husband and I took our own time one evening and we cleaned that sign up and rebirked it and I welcome all of you to ride by and take dinner at that side. Now, we are doing our part to pull this community back together. We're talking to neighbors to try to get people involved to come to these meetings and we just need some help with influencing the things for enforcing the things that we cannot do ourselves. Right. Thank you, Miss H. Thank you very much.

Okay. Again, the other person that was signed up tonight was Mr. Miller and I again do not see him. So at this time uh is there anyone else wishing to address the board on the matters presented by the public? Anyone wishing to address the board? Okay. Seeing and hearing no indication such um Mr. Dylan um you indicated to me that you wanted to bring up an item tonight.

Yes sir. um wanted to you know bring up an item related to the district impact funds and um you know would like to make a motion that you know with the Irishwood district impact funds you know donate the $500 to the um worship on the lawn you know which has a focus you know on the breast cancer awareness. So, I would like to make that motion that u we use Irishwood district impact funds to donate file or contribute $500 to the worship on the lawn event which takes place on October 4th. I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any um discussion, questions, or clarification needed? Uh and uh I will ask this uh not knowing this by setting uh you do have the proper funds in the Irishwood account, correct? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. And and again, you do have they're they're going to give us all the written Yes, sir. information, everything like that. Yes, sir.

And one one thing that uh is this restricted uh that anyone or or is it open to anyone in the public? Yeah, it's a open to the public and um you know it's an event that's taken place over the past three years. Last year the focus was suicide prevention and this year the focus is breast cancer awareness. So it's it's using a genre of music to bring folk together to focus on a particular social issue and you know that that's the intent of the program. So, you know, it's a great event. Bring people together and um you know, and I you know, so should be a really good crowd of folk out there.

And are these funds like for operating for like the stage and stuff of that nature?

Yes, sir. And in that and I had the one of the um organizers to share with me and it's in a letter and I've shared that letter and it mentioned specifically what those funds will be used for and I've explained that there would have to be you know a detailed invoices receipts or whatever to um receive that money. It's not just you know someone receiving a check but you actually have to show what the funds will be used for. And I and I I want to say and I know some of the conversation and hopefully I can put this out there, but you know it's in reference to you know being a gospel event and you know doing my research. I really don't know who the Rhett Walker band is but I looked it up and you know it mentions that they're like a southern rock and Christian band and we have them at the fair. So it's a similar type of thing. It's a genre of music and this music is bringing folk together. Very similar to the Rhett Walker band being at the fair. You know, they also do Christian music. It's a Christian band and, you know, the county helps to, you know, fund the fair. So, and just to, you know, kind of ease that conversation, but um so I think, you know, that's the focus. is not a church. It's not a church event, but it's a genre of music that will be used to bring folk together. And in a time like this, we need to bring folk together. And if it takes gospel music, rock music, or athletic event, whatever it is, if folk can come together and we can fix the division that we have in our world, you know, I'm all for it. And I hope that um you know everybody else you know is out there trying to do some of these events because this we just we're in a difficult time and we need to you know bring folk together and hopefully this event is one of those types of events and you know where everybody can

come out feel comfortable participate um in the event and then also like I say breast cancer awareness will be a focus um at the event. Is that where the proceeds will be going as to breast cancer awareness? Um there's no fee to partic There's no fee for folk to attend the event. Gotcha.

So everything that is covered as far as getting the stage and the microphones and things of that nature is all based off of the the funds that are raised to host the event, but there's no fee to go to the event. And if it was a fee to go to the event, of course, I probably wouldn't be making this motion. Um because if you're charging for an event, of course, you're charging to cover for the um cost of the event. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any other questions or clarification? All in favor? It is uh 6. Jennifer, Mr. Wagner, do you have any other items of business that we can need to consider prior to adjournment?

I do. board members.

Yeah, just now that I got a little time to sp speak uh to Miss Hampton's uh where she come up and spoke, I I agree with her 100%. You know, the the the Villa Heights area over there is notorious for drugs, alcohol, just you name it, they've got it over there. Uh and the county, like like I've told y'all here before in the board meeting, that we're investing in 14 homes being built in the Villa Heights area. Uh, I have tried, honest to goodness, I've tried really hard to try to get this place cleaned up over there. It's like a never- ending battle trying to clean this place up. Uh, but we we need to come up with some kind of plan whether would be me to get with you to get with a community organization meeting with your community and we can all sit down and come up with a game plan on how we as community move forward. Uh, you know, I'm all for that also. Um, but it is a mess. And what I'm scared of is going to happen is this the houses that we're building over there, we're going to draw the wrong crowd in unless we get the place cleaned up. And and she makes a perfect point. She lives there. She's been living there most of her life.

Almost.

Uh, almost. Would we want to live there? Would we want to be be beside it? Now, now going back, I was like that beside my house, the house that was beside me before. Uh, I actually had to go and clean up myself, but that's beside the point long ago. Um, but I'm I'm any way that I can work with with you far as doing a community meeting or whatever. Uh, you call me at work, we'll set the date and time up, place up, uh, you get the people up and we'll we'll come up a game plan on trying to get it done. Uh, it's it's not that the county is not working to try to get it done. It's just so many different moving parts in this story. uh trying to get them all worked out is is is difficult, but I understand exactly where you come from and and and trust me, I'm not trying to put it off to the side. Um you know, I mean, you don't have to take my word for it. By no means I'm not trying to tell you to take my word for it, but you can just ask them the deputies that I call all the time at least at least once twice a week with issues on locket avenue uh trying to get things like that taken care of. It's just it's never ending battle. Uh it's a battle I think we can win if we get together and try to put some enforcement on it. Uh and she is right when she's talking about enforcement. If we start getting a few of these people charged with the negligence uh and get your face on public radio, I mean public TV and so forth in the newspaper, stuff like that, it may start changing the trend of people want to do the same thing over there, you know, and you know, so um I'm I'm all for community working together with with their public officials. I'm I'm not scared to sit down and talk to anybody. Uh you just call me, let me know. I'm serious. I'll be glad to sit down with you and talk. Um, it's something I can't do by myself. I'm telling you right now. I mean, I'd love to say that I could do it by myself. I'm just telling you, I can't do it by myself. I've got to have help. Uh, and and these these board of supervisors right here has helped me quite a bit in

the past several years, especially with the Villa Heights project. You know, it wasn't just me that got those apartments taken down. It's this board right here that helped me get these apartments taken down. So, I I can't do anything by myself. I can't and it takes this board to work together to get things done just as Mr. Bill made this motion just a little while ago about you know the the gospel meeting that he wants to get a support for. Uh he can't do it by himself. He he relies on us. It's like I got to rely on all y'all to do it. So um you know I I just let you know that I am aware of it. I drive I drive through through Villa Heights probably four times a week that same little pass down uh Lit Avenue to Dexter to Stal Road looking at you know is anything been improved anything been improved anything been improved you know and things move like a snail pace so you know trust me I will never stop working on it regardless of of how how long I'm going to be in office you know I'll never stop working on it

I have a question yes ma'am I I was familiar with Mrs. Russell when she worked with the Villa Heights community. Do you have a current neighborhood watch program? We do not. The church sold and we do not have access to the church. That was where we met. Alice Russell was my mom's next door neighbor. She was my neighbor growing up. And yes, they used the church for that. And when the church sold, we no longer have a place that's convenient for everyone to get there. We also have probably at least 50% of this neighborhood that is elderly and nearly homebound if not homebound. So,

you know, and I think it's possible that we could possibly use the library possibly to meet in, you know, u they were real good about that, but it's something that I'll be glad to try to work with you. Okay. Any other items? board members prior to a motion to adjourn. I will accept one then. So move. Second. Have a motion. Second. All in favor is 6 Jennifer. Everyone have a good evening.