Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

I call the 300 p.m. session of the uh October 28th, 2025 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors to order. 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 uh later in the meeting this evening as agenda item number 17. Again, welcome everyone. We have one item that we need to take care of prior to uh uh taking up any matters of business. Section 2.3A of the Henry County Board of Supervisor bylaws allows for a board member to participate in a meeting of the board through electronic communication subject to the limitations of the code of Virginia section 2.2-3708.3. Supervisor Travis Puit of the Ridgeway District has requested to participate in today's meeting through electronic means. He's online now with us. Mr. Puit, for the record, will you please state your purpose for needing to participate by electronic means, and state your current location, please?

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I'm at a Southern Software users conference, which is my full-time employer, and I am in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Right. Thank you. I'll need a motion u uh from uh board member affirming u that the uh audio and video that you've just heard is sufficient and acceptable uh for Mr. Puit to join uh us by that electronic means. I make a motion that uh we allow uh Mr. Puit to uh participate by electronic means. Second.

Okay. And just for clarification, everyone can see and hear. Okay. All right. All in favor this uh five and uh with one joining uh via Zoom. Um Jennifer. Okay. I was looking for you back there and you're there. Okay. Thank you. Uh that will allow us to uh go ahead and um um continue and start with agenda items that we will consider for business. First agenda item is uh agenda item number five, the items of consent. What action would the board like to take in regard to approving the items of consent?

I make a motion to approve the items of consent. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? I or raise your hand. I guess uh uh I wasn't sure which way Mr. Puit was going to do that. No, I saw saw the uh raising uh of hand that will uh is recorded as uh 6 Jennifer. Um agenda item number six, we'll have a a report on the del delinquent tax collection efforts from our county treasurer, Scott Grindstep. Scott, welcome.

Good afternoon. Uh the personal property collection as of September 30th, 2025, we collected 9% of the 24 personal property tax. During the month, we collected $50,190. Real estate collection. As of September 30th, we collected 94.88% of 24 real estate taxes. During the month, we collected $68,69. Since January 1 of 2025, TACS has collected $917,69 and [snorts] our debt set off during the month of October, we collected $6,94 for the year. That total was $384,270. And so far in October, we collected 71 DMV stops. As most of you aware, the 25 personal property bills went out this weekend and uh we've been very busy collecting those already. Uh there was a slight issue with according to my printer. I just got off phone about 15 to 20% of the bill did not have the backing on them. It has all the information and also the return address. So we're working to see what we can fix on that. But if you hear any complaints, there were some bills that did not have the back including Mr. Wagner and Mr. Jones and they were the first ones to point it out to me.

All right. Does anyone have any uh questions for Mr. Grind staff at this time? Have you received any feedback from the new uh dates? Yeah. Any feedback from anybody? Okay. First things we had a lot of people wanted to pay with their Christmas club, but they've all been paid out. Uh most of those get paid in October. So that's help real estate and most of the mortgage companies got the the people that escrow got most of those in. In fact, we got probably one of the biggest ones in today. So, be plenty in time before October 31st. Running pretty smoothly, I think.

All right. All right. Thank you. Uh, agenda item number seven, uh, we're going to ask Melissa Chapman, interim director for Blue Ridge Regional Library, uh, to, uh, come to the podium and basically, uh, give us a little background on herself and some things going on with the library system. Thank you very much. Um, just to roll quickly, my name is Melissa Chapman. I'm the interim director for Blige Regional Library. The library board is currently um undergoing a search for a new director. Um, Rick Ward retired the end of June, so I'm filling in and I wanted to give you guys a brief overview of what we've been doing in the Hendrick County branches. You have a handout so you can follow along or you can cruise at your leisure. Um, our mission is to provide free friendly service and access to timely materials that educate, enrich, and entertain the entire community. Some of the ways we're doing this is providing a safe, welcoming space for the community to gather and work. We support learning for all of the members of the community from the very young to the very old with our resources and programming. And we offer programs and a wide variety of resources to entertain and enrich everyone's quality of life. Um first of all, welcoming space. We have chairs. We have a warm friendly staff. We have a meeting room that's available for public use. Um, and our meeting room has been used by outside groups 117 times and this is as of August 31st. So, it's warm and we have

lots of space for people to work. Um, we offer a lot of resources. We have the traditional ones that everyone knows is the library. We have books and newspapers and magazines, but we also have the YMCA day passes. We have ebooks and e audio books. Um, we do have toys that people can come in and their children can play. We also offer puzzles that are available for checkout. Um, and uh we can get a day pass for the Virginia Museum of Natural History as well. So, we have a lot of stuff for everybody and we have amazing programs. Um, these are some of the programs um for our kids. The one of our biggest ones is story time and these are some pictures from some of the story times at the Henry County Basset and Ridgeway branches. and all of the branches participated in summer reading. I do not have those numbers, but if you're interested, I can get you those numbers. Um, but it was a very fun, very fun time. Um, they did lots of great stuff. Um, had a little uh petting zoo and everything. And each branch has its own kinds of children's programming at Basset. They have the homeschool STEM where the children meet and do lots of fun STEM activities. They have craft classes at Basset. Um Collinsville has a Lego club that's very active. And Ridgeway had a reach the shelter pet

um which was very well received. lots of cute cats and dogs and a lot of children got to read to them and we partnered with the SPCA on that one. And all of the um branches offer craft classes. These are some of the ones that were offered by our system coordinator or our system program coordinator, Leando Ravi, and he does amazing work as you can tell. and everybody loves his classes. Um, and some of the programs for adults at Basset, we have our chair exercise classes. We also have craft classes, book bingo, and their book club tea and talk. And Collinsville also has a lot to do. They have book bingo. They also offer blind date with a book. Um, some people found love, some didn't. Same in real life. Um, we have a crochet group and they started a spice club and at Ridgeway they also have a chair exercise class and they also have crafts classes and they also have a crafting group that I think a crochet knitting group that needs that ridge by calling threads and these are all open to the public and bass has programs for all ages. They have their Lego clubs. Parents have been joining in with their kids during Lego Club. And they also have movies, family movies. Collinsville's been offering a crafty Saturday that everybody seems to love, as you can tell by the young gentleman in the middle. And they've also been offering musical bingo.

And Ridgeway also offer blind days with the book for all ages. And they also have all ages craft classes where parents can join in with their kids. And of course we are still a traditional library and we do have reference. Um we have fax machines, um copers, computers where people can print things out. Um we also all answer a lot of reference questions. Um, as of July 31st, we had 187 job related questions and we did have three people get a job with our help. So, yay. Um we also have um continuing education questions and we had 94 of them answered and of course we fax documents for the community members that need documents faxed and these are just a few statistics program number circulation. Um I won't get into too much of this. You can check that out in your own time if you'd like. And we do have a few extra things that we offer. Um, Basset offers literacy and developmental backpacks. They are really good and they're very popular. They go from ages zero to about 2 years. Ridgeway has started offering cake cans that are available for checkout. And Collinsville has a sensory play area for kids who may be on the autistic spectrum. And of course, we wouldn't be able to do any of this without our staff. A big thanks to Kim, Karen, and Amy, the branch managers of Henry County, and

their staff, Kelly, Esau, Haley, Libby, Regula, Donna, Vicki, Jennifer, Hilda, and Betty for their hard work who wouldn't be able to do what we do without them. And of course, the system staff, they put together, Leando puts together his great programs and they provide the backup that allows the branch staff to do all of the amazing programming and support and be able to answer questions. And thank you to our library boards, specifically to our Henry County um board members, Monica, Christopher, Dada, Lorie, Lyla, and Charice. We appreciate their support. And I want to say thank you to Nailer for your support and for the board as well. We appreciate your support that you've given over the years to the library. It does mean a lot to us. And I'd also like to say thank you for the citizens and residents of Henry County. We do what we do for them and we try to do the best and offer the best resources that we can for them and we're happy to serve. Thank you.

Right. Thank you. Also be noted that uh one of the board members, Mr. Gardner, is here with us. Welcome, Mr. Gardner. Thank you for being here. That takes us to financial matters under agenda. Agenda item number 88 8A, an additional appropriation referencing traffic enforcement grant for the sheriff's office. Mr. Wagner,

Sheriff Wayne Davis is asking the board to approve an additional appropriation of $33,222 received from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for traffic enforcement. The grant is passed through funding received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for fiscal year 2026. The grant will be used to pay for overtime for deputies performing extra traffic enforcement, purchase a liar unit for speed detection, and to pay for travel expenses related to grant administration and training. And Sheriff Davis is here should you have any questions. Okay. The board has background material on this. Um, what is the pleasure of the board in regard to this item?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $33,222 from the Virginia DMV grant for traffic enforcement. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? And that's 6. Jennifer 8B, an additional appropriation and award of contract referencing state asset forfeite funds for the sheriff's office. Mr. Wagner,

Sheriff Davis is asking the board to approve an appropriation of $31,200 from state asset forfeite funds to purchase class A dress shirts as part of the department's transition to new uniforms. In addition, Sheriff Davis is asking the board to award a contract of $53,700 to Reed's uniforms for the purchase of the shirts. Funding will come from the appropriation as requested and $22,000 from the sheriff's existing budget and pricing is based on um contract with the Virginia Sheriff's Association. And the sheriff is here. What action would the board uh like to take in regard to the uh awarding uh of contract in this additional appropriation?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriations of $31,200 from the state assess or fund and award a contract of $53,700 to Reeds Uniform as requested. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor and that is 6. Jennifer 8 C an award of contract referencing emergency vehicle equipment for the sheriff's office. Mr. Wagner,

Sheriff Davis is asking the board to award a contract for $64,187 to East Coast Emergency Vehicles LLC to purchase emergency equipment for nine new police vehicles. The purchasing department has authorized East Coast as a sole source provider for this equipment and funded it is included in the fiscal year 2026 budget for this purchase. What motion uh would someone like to offer in awarding of this contract?

Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to award a contract of $64,187 to East Coast Emergency Vehicles LLC to purchase emergency equipment for nine new police vehicles. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Jennifer 8 D an additional appropriation and award of contract referencing Commonwealth Crossing Business Center for the Engineering and Mapping Department. Mr. Wagner,

Tim Pace, our director of engineering and mapping, is requesting the board approve an additional appropriation of $750,000 received from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership through their Virginia Business Ready Site Program. The grant funds are designated for engineering related to the development of lot 3 at Commonwealth Crossing Business Center. In addition, we're asking the board to award a contract of $995,000 to Timmans Group for engineering design services for lot 3 at CCBC. Following a request for proposals, Timman's group was selected for the project and funding is provided through the BEDP grant and local funds which were included in the fiscal year 2026 CCPC budget

in regard to this additional appropriation and awarding of contract. What action would the board desire to take? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we approve the additional appropriation of $750,000 from uh the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and award the contract of $995,000 to Timman's Group as presented. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It [snorts] is 6. Uh Jennifer 8E an award of contract referencing ambulance rechassive for the public safety department. Mr. Wagner

public safety director Tim Duffer is asking the board to award a contract in amount of $214,616 to best sales and services incorporated for the rechassee of an existing 2018 ambulance to a 2025 Ford four-wheel drive chassis. In addition, Mr. Duffer is asking the board to approve vest sales and service as a sole source vendor for this work based on the existing lifetime warranty on the modular box and there is additional information related to that in your packet. Uh funding for this item is included in the fiscal year 2026 budget and Mr. Duffer is here should you have any questions

in regards to the awarding of this contract. Uh what is the desired action the board would like to take? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to award a contract of $214,616 with Vest Sales and Service Incorporated for an ambulance rechassee as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It [clears throat] is 6. Uh Jennifer 8F an additional appropriation referencing voter supply cabinets for the general registars's office. Mr. Wagner registar Don Staltz vaugh has requested an additional appropriation of $36,650 to purchase seven secure voting supply cabins. Mrs. Staltzv noted that these items were originally planned for a future capital request. However, an opportunity is now available to purchase them at approximately 70%, excuse me, 40% below those price. No funds are currently budgeted for this purpose and if the board concurs, staff recommends using the board's contingency fund to cover these costs. Mrs. Spawn is here should you have any questions. you do have uh paperwork in front of you uh so that you can quickly reference uh what the current uh board contingency fund is and the amount requested with that uh in in regard to this and uh taking in consideration the background material that's been provided. What is the desire of the board? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriations of $36,500 from the board's contingency fund for the purchase of a new purchase of secured voting supply.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor is uh 6. Uh Jennifer, that takes us to uh agenda item number nine, a consideration of a resolution in renaming a memorial bridge for the town of Ridgeway. Mr. Wagner.

This item is on the agenda at the request of Supervisor Puit at the request of Mayor Craig Odair of the town of Ridgeway is formally asking the board to support the town's request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board to name the bridge located on Main Street in Ridgeway at the Mayor Edward M. Page Senior Memorial Bridge. Ear earlier this month, the Ridgeway Town Council adopted a resolution on the matter and intends to forward it to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for their consideration. And it may be noted as part of your working papers uh in the resolution that all costs associated with this are not picked up by the county itself. It's picked up by the town of Ridgeway for cost and maintenance on this. And that's part of the resolution that you've had as part of your working papers. With that, uh, in regard to, uh, approving the resolution, what is the desire of the board?

Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to approve the resolution supporting the petition to the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish the Mayor Edward M. Page Senior Memorial Bridge. We have a motion by Mr. Puit. Second. Second by Dr. Cobbler. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item number 10,formational [clears throat] items. Um start by taking uh comments uh from the board. And uh I will start with uh Mr. Puit uh who uh since he's right there in front of me on Zoom and then I'll work my way down the line. So do you have anything to offer as comments? Mr. through it.

The only thing I have real quick is today's National First Responder Day. Just a thank you to the sheriff's office, fire, rescue, public safety, our 911 dispatchers that uh keep all that going. Appreciation and I think all of us concur with that and uh it was a a a great notification via social media from the Henry County Sheriff's Office acknowledging this. And uh I think that goes a long way when we do acknowledge that publicly uh to let uh everyone involved know how valuable they are to our community. Dr. Cobb, if you have any items,

just want to also concur with that and thank the sheriff's department and EMS and all the folks for a great safe race weekend this weekend. Great. Great. Thank you. Now, sir, let's go. Miss Kelly,

I do um I want to mention and I hope the media picks up that uh there will be another horse pasture district community meeting coming up on Tuesday, November 18th at the Horse Pasture Ruitton building. Again, uh our county administrator, Mr. Wagner will be there as well as Sheriff Davis and Lisa Hughes with VOTE. It starts at 6 o'clock, usually ends around 7:30. Uh also, the 30th annual coat drive for kids is underway. um partnering with Mr. Dillard here with the Henry County Schools. Uh we provide at this point we've got brand new coats uh going out to a lot of our children. We're collecting coats, but we're also taking uh good used coats. Um one our martinis is very gracious to clean those coats for us and uh we provide those. Uh if we can't use them uh for any reason, we certainly make them available to anyone that does uh need a coat. So, if you can open your heart, open your wallet, um, uh, open your closet, and if you can find any coats, uh, let me know. I'm more than happy to pick them up. You can drop them off at Star News or at 1 houring, any of those locations, uh, preferably 220 South, but, uh, any of those will take those codes.

Great. Thank you, Mr. Bryant. other than just to say, you know, everybody knows November 4th is next Tuesday, uh, voting in in, uh, the United States, uh, here in Virginia. Uh, I would just ask that everybody would vote. Uh, you know, it's your patriotic duty as a citizen of the United States to get out and vote. Uh, you know, our ancestors fought and died for us and our rights to have the opportunity to get out and vote. Uh, so, you know, by all means, you know, regardless who you vote for, get out and make your vote count. Okay. I don't have anything. Mr. Wager,

just a couple reminders related to the upcoming Veterans Day holiday on Saturday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. Uh, all vets is hosting a walk in the park at Jack Dalton Park. It will feature the Henry County Honor Trail. I think it'll be a nice treat to pay uh respect to our veterans in our community. if you're able to attend that Saturday, November 8th at 9:00 am. And then on Veterans Day, November 11th at 11:00 am at the John D. Basset Event Center will be our formal community veterans day service. And that's the time we also recognize any outstanding military veteran in our community as well. So hopefully you can attend those events.

All right, that takes us to agenda item number 11. If uh board member will cite the reasons for going into closed meetings.

Mr. Chairman, I move that we go into closed meeting under 2.23711A1 for discussion of appointees to the community criminal justice board, the Patriot Center CCBC advisory board and the West Pedmont Planning District Commission. 2.23711A7 for discussion of pending legal matters. 2.2 2 3711 A3 for discussion of acquisition disposal of real estate. 2.23711 A5 for discussion of as yet unannounced industries 2.23711 A10 for discussion of awards and recognition and 2.23711A1 for discussion of personnel matters.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6 uh Jennifer. I'll see board members upstairs and Mr. Puit will be joining us via Zoom upstairs as well. Cool. Meeting on a motion by Ms. Much Canon, second by Mr. Bryant. Mr. Pow, will you pull board please? Four members to the best of your knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements of meeting section 2.2-3711 2-3711 were heard, discussed, or considered in closed meeting. How do you vote? Mr. Adams. Uh, yes, sir. Mr. Yes, sir. Mr. Yes, sir. Mr. Gill. Yes, sir. Dr.

Yes, sir. And Mr. I'm not sure if Mr. Cru is actually You have him? Yes. Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Brian, I believe that you have a uh lease consideration uh for uh the board. Uh yes, sir, Mr. Chairman, I do. Uh, I move the board uh authorize the county administration to negotiate a lease between Meeks LLC and Henry County for real property located on Kaufman Drive in Collinsville. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is five in the room and I assume you're getting a an affirmative on the uh member joining by uh uh electronic communication. Uh, Dr. Cobbler, in regard to the Community Criminal Justice Board, I believe that you have a uh name to mention for the board's consideration. Yes. I make a motion to reappoint Deputy County Administrator Jr. Powell to the Community Criminal Justice Board for a two-year term.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is uh five in the room and one electronic uh affirmative. uh vote. Uh that concludes the um business from the afternoon session. Uh we're going to take a brief recess that um is at 5:47 and we will start the 6:00 meeting promptly uh in just a few minutes. I'll call this 6 p.m. session of the October 28, 2025 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors to order. uh from our recess of uh just a few moments ago. 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 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 this meeting as agenda item number 17. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and being a part of your county government. Uh to begin with tonight, uh we're going to ask uh a group uh to come forward and uh we have two groups of scouts in attendance. The Boy Scouts troop number 166 and Cub Scouts pack 166. Um, Boy Scout members are Nathan Bale, who is a recent Eagle Scout, Benjamin AJ, Daniel Craraven, Isaac Craraven, Bryson Cust, Colton Cust, Jack Quitlo, Landon Coell, Eli May, Luke Mley, Parker Pennix, and Shawn Simpson. Troop 166 scout master

Scott Koval. Assistant scout masters are Kevin Wampler, Doug Carter, Payton Simpson, and Jim Franklin. Cub Scout pack members are Luke Craraven, Zack McFersonson, Lucas Stone, Brandon Eins, Tessa Simpson, and Cade Simpson. Cub Scout leaders are Marcus Stone, Jeremy Craraven, Daniel McFersonson, Logan Eins, and Melissa Simpson. And this is the information uh provided to me prior to tonight's meeting. And if there are any corrections or additions to the names, I'm going to ask the scout masters to uh make those corrections. What we're going to do is ask scout members if you will come forward and circle around the uh podium. And even though we had it earlier today, would ask you all if you would lead the entire group here in the pledge of allegiance.

[clears throat] Please join me in as they lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Scout. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you all. Scout members, if you'll hold your place and uh those that are uh prepared to offer comments uh uh please do so at this time. Good evening. Thank you for allowing us to join you tonight. My name is Jim Franklin. I'm uh live in the uh Reed Creek District here in Collinsville. and we're here tonight supporting and representing uh local scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America organization. Uh as uh Mr. Adams said, tonight we have Boy Scout Troop 166, Cub Scout Pack 166 in attendance. Uh we're both based out of uh here in Collinsville at the Stone Memorial Christian Church. Uh we meet on Monday nights at 700 p.m. at the church and would like to invite anyone interested in learning more about the scouts and opportunities uh provided for a youth to join us for a meeting uh during one of those times. Be happy to have you there. Um as you know scouting is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. And this helps the young people be prepared to life. So, um, tonight, uh, we have, uh, we're here learning about local government and working on our citizenship in the community merit badge. And so, if any of the scouts would like to speak, uh, they're certainly welcome to, uh, talk. We have a couple items.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Henry County right now and how is the board working to address them?

Good question.

[snorts]

Thank you for the opportunity and letting us come out tonight to um to the board meeting. And I would like to talk about does

you guys had uh talked about your STEM opportunities and what you were wanting to support here in the community. Yes. several different organizations that you participate in and there were we participate in several different organizations for um the Henry County and the STEM activities and

and I and I participate in the FTC robotics team in Henry County at NCI. did good.

That's good. [applause]

Okay. Thank you all for being here. We understand that uh this question We [laughter] we understand that there's always a a natural nervousness when you're speaking uh in front of a group, maybe not quite expecting a group this size, but uh thank you all for being here tonight. And uh thank you for uh making Henry County a better place with scouting.

You know, I I just want to say I was a boy scout also. I went through the Cub Scouts and into the Boy Scouts. And I had probably an honor that most of y'all probably don't have is that I had a chance to go to Germany with my father in service. And we got to uh meet the German Boy Scouts, Italian Boy Scouts, the Swedish Boy Scouts, uh Denmark Boy Scouts, and we had what's called a Klondike Derby, which was a big sled. We built Jones sled. We come in 13th out of all those countries that and all the teams participated in it. uh by carrying a flat carried a sled across the across the finish line. But uh I could tell you one thing, Boy Scouts did a lot for me when I was growing up. Uh I know that the scouts are I don't how how now is flourishing in the United States as far as membership goes in the Boy Scouts. But don't don't ever give up on the Boy Scouts. I'm serious. Stay stay in the Boy Scouts all the way up until you you know you you you're timed out, per se. uh and even that you become a scout leader and so forth. Don't ever give up on the Boy Scouts. That's one of the best organizations that the country has ever come up with uh with the Boy Scouts. Uh it it teaches you teams uh team participation, leadership skills that you would probably never get any other place than being in the Boy Scouts. Uh and then it gives you commodity with all your friendships that you got and other other scouts that you may meet throughout your life. Uh it's a lifetime experience. So, you know, I congratulate each and everyone even from the Cub Scouts uh up through the scouts to the Eagle Scout. You know, that that was an honor I never got to. I got up pretty good in the Boy Scouts. I really did. I was I was really pretty good. But my dad was in the service, so we moved all over the place. You know, it was mixed up season for me. But, uh honestly, I I I appreciate every every one of you for the job that you're doing, especially the Cout M scout

masters. And I'm not going to directly answer your question, but I'm going to answer it based on, you know, you guys asking that question. One of the things I'd like to say is that, you know, I'd like to challenge the youth of Henry County to uh present yourself in a manner that you can lead other folk in the right direction. And I think you all are doing that. And we need so many more youth who will stand for right. so many youth who will make the right decisions regardless of what's going on around you. And I challenge you all and I encourage you all to, you know, challenge your friends to, you know, go to school, make uh good decisions in school, make good decisions outside of school so that we can have the future leaders that we need in Henry County. And I think that is one issue that we have a lot of youth are making bad choices. And if you guys are all are in school, you probably hear some of these things. you see these things and just want to challenge you all to, you know, to take your um coach that you you accept as, you know, scouts and encourage your friends to make good choices, good decisions, and be that role model and and don't fall to the temptations. Don't fall to the peer pressure, but continue to stand on what you know is right. And that will be my challenge to you all as future leaders of Henry County. Thank you [clears throat] all again for being here. [applause] We will start with agenda item number 12, a consideration of a resolution recognizing election worker appreciation day in Henry County. Uh Mr. Wagner,

we're pleased to have a number of our election workers here tonight for this recognition. As you know in Henry County and across our nation, election workers play a vital role in ensure our elections are conducted in a secure, accurate, and transparent manner. Virginia joint house resolution 500 designates the Tuesday after each November general election as election worker appreciation day and staff has prepared a resolution consideration honoring and recognizing our local election work. Mr. Cannon, I believe that you can offer that uh re uh recognition uh in in the form of a resolution that you have uh before you for the board's consideration.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, and I'd like to read this resolution uh recognizing our election workers and appreciation day. Whereas elections are a cornerstone of representative government and their successful administration depends on the commitment and service of trained, responsible election workers. And whereas election workers in Henry County play a vital role in ensuring that elections are conducted in a secure, accurate, and transparent manner. And whereas these individuals generously give their time, often starting before dawn and working late into the evening, setting up polling places, assisting voters, and helping maintain the integrity of the electoral process. And whereas their professionalism, patience, and attention to detail create a fair and accessible experience for all voters in Henry County. And whereas the Virginia General Assembly has recognized the contributions of these public servants by designating the Tuesday after each November election as election worker appreciation day through ha house joint resolution 500 and whereas the Henry County registars's office electoral board and board of supervisors are grateful for the dedication shown by these workers during each election cycle. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Henry County Board of Supervisors hereby recognize November 11th, 2025 as Election Worker Appreciation Day in Henry County and extend its sincere appreciation to all election workers for their important role in supporting local democracy.

Be it further resolved that the board encourages all residents of Henry County to join in recognizing and thanking these individuals for their service and to acknowledge the important part they play in making our elections fair, efficient, and accessible to all. And this is signed Jim Adams, chairman, Henry County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Chairman, I move that the board adopt this resolution. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? It is five with one absent. Mr. Puit was unable to join us for the evening session, but he uh joined us uh through the afternoon session.

At this time, I'm going to ask board members if you will join me and uh I'll also ask our registar to join me and appropriate members of uh her group that uh we can gather down front and present this to you. Get it out there. We're in close, two

[applause]

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Thank you all so much for this. I speak on behalf of all of these wonderful folks that without elections, without them working, we could not make elections happen. I would like for my workers to stand and my board, if you will, because you guys are the ones that deserve every thanks. Can you all please stand?

All right. [applause] Thank you all. Um, like I said, without good citizens and boy scouts and co scouts, I want you guys to hear this because we always need good people, good citizens to help serve the rest of the community. Um, we could not make elections happen. So, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because a lot of times it is a thankless job. is a poorly paid job and you all do more than we need. So, we just appreciate you all so much. So, thank you and thank you all for this. [applause] My apologies. Um we have some refreshments, light refreshments for after the um meeting is completed out in our lobby. So, if you all would like to join us, our election workers, please do. All right. Thank you all so much for what you do and uh as they've stated in the resolution, starting many times very very early in the morning and working late into the evening. Thank you so much. Agenda item number 13 will take up general highway matters. Uh we have with us Lisa Hughes from VOTE. Lisa, welcome.

Thank you. Uh just a couple items. At their October meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board uh recommended providing uh additional funding to two projects on 220. One for intersection improvements at 220 and 87 and another to u improvements of a second segment from the bypass down to Marburn Circle. And uh as required um in the code we're we will hold the public hearing Thursday night at jury mason from 5 to 7 and uh the purpose of that is to get public input and ultimately hopefully and get that added to the six-year plan. So if you have any questions just let me know. But that's Thursday from 5 to 7 at Jury Mason for the public getting public input on those two properties. Uh just a couple things. We're mowing. We're still mowing. We've got some we mowed early and we're going back over about I don't know 80% complete with our mowing for the year. [clears throat] And I know I spoke with you aware of the the fatality at 58 at at the Dollar General. It was very tragic. And as with um any fatality, we we review the circumstances surrounding that and and make suggestions. A lot of times um they're not quick and you know quick to to be able to do, but we are looking looking at the intersection as well.

Thank you. That's all I have. Do any of the board members have anything from Miss Hughes at this time? Yeah, Miss Hughes. Uh I have received text in the last three or four days. reminder if if no one has called your office about the road conditions of Kimberly Road and Rambleton Road. Have not received anything. Okay. So, thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] Okay. Thank you. Any other any other items? All right. Thank you. Thank you.

That takes us to agenda item number 14, the public hearing reszoning application R-25-14 for Robert Amos. We have with us our director of planning and zoning, Mr. Lee Clark. Mr. Clark.

Okay. This property is located at 16783 and 16805 Ailt Highways in the horse pasture district. Property shown on tax map 15.8 as lot 176. The applicants request the reszoning of approximately 1 acre from commercial district B1 and agricultural A1 to suburban residential district. wishes to subdivide this property and create two single family residences out of it. Following public hearing, both planning commission and staff recommend approval of this request.

Okay, I will open the public uh hearing to take input on this uh resoning application at 6:20 p.m. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this resoning application? Seeing and hearing no indication as such, I will close the public hearing at uh 6:20. Miss Buchanan, I believe this is in your district. It is. Is Mr. Amos here? Oh, all the way in the back. Okay. All right. Um Mr. Amos has done a good job uh remodeling that building. It looks good. And um uh I would make a motion to um approve the reasonzoning as it's been presented.

Second. [clears throat] Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's five with one absent, Jennifer. Uh it's my understanding that uh 15 has been withdrawn. Correct. So that takes us to agenda item 16, public hearing reszoning application R-25-16 Percy H. Gibson Jr. Mr. Clark.

Okay. This property is located at 60 Broken Oak Drive. It's in the Irishwood district. property shown on tax map 45711 as lots 6, 6A, and 7. The applicant here should request the reszoning of three lots from suburban residential district to rural residential district. And the applicant wishes to replace a manufactured home on this property that was destroyed by fire in the year 2020. Following a public hearing, both planning commission and staff also recommended approval of this request. I will open the public hearing to take input on this resoning application at 6:22. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this resoning application? Seeing and hearing no indication as such, I [clears throat] will close the public hearing at 6:22. Uh Mr. Dilllet, uh I believe this is in your district.

Yes, sir, it is. And Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion to approve the resoning request as presented. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is five with one absent? Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item 17, matters presented by the public. Is there anyone desiring to address the board under matters presented by the public? Anyone wishing to address the board? Okay. Seeing and hearing no indication, uh that takes us to uh agenda item 18. I'll ask for a motion. So move. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Uh agenda item 18 is for adjournment. All in favor? It is five with one absent. Jennifer. Everyone have a good evening and again thank you for coming out tonight.