Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

I call the 3M session of the November 25th, 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 we'll take up later in the meeting this evening as agenda item number 15. Again, welcome everyone. Uh thank you for coming out uh and being a part of your county uh government. Like to recognize also members of the media. We have uh folks from Henry County Enterprise, Martin for Wolton, and Star News. Thank you all for being here as well. Our first business item of consideration is the uh agenda item number five, the 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. Is there uh any discussion? All in favor? is uh 6. Uh Jennifer, agenda item number six, we'll have a a presentation by Appalachin Power and the Campbell Family Foundation referencing the annual coat drive for uh kids. We have with us Rob Man and Man and William and Sarah Campbell fame. Mr. Pal, will you give us some background on this, please?

Mr. Mr. Chairman, uh we're honored to have with us today, just as you were sharing, members from the Campbell Charitable Foundation, American Electric Power, and possibly some Walmart uh toys, I'm not sure, who are here to present a donation to the annual Henry County Coke Drive for kids, noting this is the 30th year of this worthy event that was started by our very own Supervisor, Deborah Buchanan. Um, and I'd like to invite uh, President Brenell Thomas of the Barnesville Henry County Chamber of Commerce if she'd like to do some introductions. Kick things off. Brenell got to play Santa Claus uh, and deliver all of the wonderful coach that you see here today. We thank her for that. So,

Mr. Chair, members of the board of supervisors, good afternoon. Mr. I thought, "Oh, you big on this one." I thought all I did was place Santa's as that I would turn it over to our uh donors. Joining me on that shopping excursion yesterday morning was our deputy director, Ta Martin. And um the Walmart team, as you can imagine, very busy. This is their crunch time wrapping up the year with strong sales. So, they're not able to be here, but they did accent or complement the donation that we received from the Campbell family and from a $200. So, we have in excess of 250 coats and hoodies to present to uh your 30th annual coat drive for Henry County to keep our kids safe and warm over, as we know toward the end of the week, these will come very much in handy. So I'll ask Miss Sarah F if she wants to come up and say a few words on behalf of the Campbell family and if Rob man would like to come and say a few words on behalf of ADP. I have watched Deborah's coat drive for decades and I've always admired her efforts and I just want to say it's a privilege for us to be able to contribute a small amount toward this beautiful display of hopes for our children. Thank you. members of the board. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm Rob Van with Appalachin Power Company and External Affairs. Um we just want to offer or continue to support between Appalachin Power and Henry County. Um we've got a long-standing good relationship and we just want to keep that going and be partners in your community. Um like to thank the Campbell family for this partnership, Martville Speedway. I can't say enough thanks for uh the Martinsville Henry County Chamber Brunell and her team Tabitha. They've been fantastic to work with. So we we're just glad we can participate this year. Thank you.

Thank you. Um before we u um I want to say move further and I will ask uh Supervisor Buchanan for comments. I'm going to ask Supervisor Dillard uh for comments. he's handling uh some distribution of this within the school system. Mr. Dillard.

Yes, sir. Uh first of all, I want to thank Miss Buchanan um and everyone, you know, participated in collecting the coats and the donations. You know, we have a lot of kids in the school system that look forward to actually have one student at my school that said, "Hey, if you get some of those puffer jackets this year, I want one." And he specified it had to be black. So, you know, he'll be waiting on that Monday. But, you know, I think it's great when a community comes together and we do something of this nature to help uh folk out. And sometimes, you know, we think about people who are less fortunate. But sometimes it's just an opportunity if a parent, you know, receives a code of this nature that's $30, $40 that they could, you know, do something else with, whether it's gas money, food money, whatever the case may be. And I also want to ask Mr. we can and can you help us get some prom dresses as well cuz that also falls under my domain in the school system. So if you have a prom dress and you want to donate it to Henry County Public Schools, I'm sure the young ladies would appreciate that. So once again, thank you Miss Buchanan. Thank you to um Appalachin and thank you to the Campbell family and to Walmart as their workers have now, you know, arrived. Mr. McC.

Wow. Well, uh, who would have thought 30 years ago in my living room it would get to this today? But it's only been through the generosity of the businesses here, uh, the churches and individuals that have actually made this happen. And, you know, the tag team of, uh, Sarah Feain and the Campbell Foundation and Clay and A and Mr. demand and working with Walmart um has been um a pleasure. It really has because it's people uh like Sarah and her family and a uh and the caring people in our community that bring us together and that's what makes our community a shining light. Um sometimes these children are in a situation not because of their own doing. I mean, it's uh a child only knows they're cold. Um they sometimes don't understand why they're cold or why they don't have a coat that uh is suitable to wear. They just know they're cold. So, I I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness and the g gen generosity that you've shown. Um that smile on a child's face makes all the difference. Thank you. Is there a representative from Walmart that would uh has anything to say? Oh, I do want to mention before you come up, uh Walmart over the years has partnered with the coat drive for kids and they've provided uh grant money in order to uh get coats and that has helped uh tremendously.

Absolutely. So, thank you for having us here today. I'm Bonnie, the store manager of the Martinsville Walmart. So, we've uh worked over the last couple of years through Vanessa. So, it's been great to be able to be a partnership this year in that as a new store manager. So for many a coat is just clothing just as you had said. A lot of kids don't realize why they need it or they're just cold. They just want it. They don't understand why they don't have it. But it is comfort. It's protection and a piece of mind. So we recognize that some of our neighbors faces challenges during the winter. And we believe that no one in Martinsville and Henry County should go without or be unprepared. Um through this partnership, we're not only distributing the totes that we're sharing warmth, dignity, as well as hope. And we are grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for their collaboration, to everyone who's helped support this initiative and as well as helping spread the awareness. So at Walmart, our mission is to help serve our community as well as being able to make a difference. So thank you for helping us uh county Chamber of Commerce being able to make that possible too as well. So thank you.

Thank you. And I can I can definitely say Brunell was working hard uh this past weekend. She called me twice uh wanting to make sure that she was the right sizes were being picked out and the type of coats that she thought that this the children needed. So she was working overtime. Supervisor Supervisor Buchanan and Dillard if you will uh go down front. uh members of the Walmart team, Chamber of Commerce, uh Appalachian Power, and the uh Mr. Miss Feain, if you all would come up front and if you want to pick up a coat and hold it. Um we're going to have

I think we're going to assemble them on the ramp behind the Okay, Brandon, if you'll direct them. There's a lot more coats, I understand, in the other room. Yeah. So, if you all would uh go down with the with those and represent the board. double stack.

You actually can't see anything. They tested it before. You can't see anything besides my But it looked odd.

Very cool. That's a great picture. You wouldn't mind squeezing just a little two this way. Three, two, one. Okay, everyone good? All right,

okay. Thanks again to everyone that's uh participating that. That takes us to agenda item number seven, a monthly report on the delinquent tax collection efforts. We have with us county treasurer Scott Grindstead.

Good afternoon. This is our report for October 31st, 2025. We collected 90.44% of the 24 personal property tax. During the month, we collected $175,5 real estate collection. As of October 31st, we have collected 95.63% of the 24 real estate tax. During the month, we collected $217,273. Since January 1, we've collect TACS has collected 1,25,397. and our debt set off during the month of November, we got a check for $88,600. For the year, the total collected is $472,871. And so far in the month of November, we have 52 stops collected.

Does anyone have any questions, Mr. Grind staff at this time? Scott, let me ask you, the amount of money coming in, is that pretty much in line with how it's been in the past? Yes, it is. plus the personal property bills being out this fall, so we're way ahead of that game, too. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Um Mark is not going to be able to join us for agenda item number eight at this time and we'll hear a report from him later. Uh that takes us to agenda item number nine. We'll take up financial matters. 9A, an additional appropriation referencing the clerical position for the clerk of court, Mr. Pal.

Yes, sir. Circuit court clerk Jennifer Ashworth is asking the board to appropriate miscellaneous refunds in revenues in the amount of $5,400 to cover salary expenses related to a part-time clerical position for her office. Okay. Um, with this additional appropriation, what action does the board desire to take? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $5,400 for the circuit court clerical position as requested. Second.

We have a motion, a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 60. Jennifer 9B, an additional appropriation and award of contract referencing the 911 call handling equipment for the 911 center. Mr. Pile

here. Diller, director of the Martinsville Henry County 911 Joint Dispatch Center, is requesting the board of supervisors appropriate $54,100 from the county general fund to update the call handling equipment for the 911 center. Director Dillard has stated the total project cost is $354,100 of which $300,000 has been previously appropriated for the project for a grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The $54,100 being requested is to cover the amount needed to complete the project in addition to the amount awarded through the grant. Additionally, Director D requests that the board award a contract of $354,100 to Mobile Communications America of Charlotte, North Carolina for the purchase and installation of the call handling equipment. The purchasing department has authorized this contract as a sole source procurement due to MCA's ongoing support of the existing proprietary 911 call handling equipment. I believe director Dylan's with us today if anybody has any questions for her.

Okay. The board has had an opportunity to review the background material on this. U what action would you like to take? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriations of 54,100 from the county general funds for the 911 center call handling equipment update content upon Martin City approving it share and toward a contract in the amount of $354,100 to Mobile Communications of America to purchase and install the equipment as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh Jennifer 9 C. An additional appropriation referencing regional development funding program for the Villa Heights housing project. Mr. Powell, the West Pont Planning District Commission has secured additional Virginia housing funding to continue the development of new homes in the Villa Heights housing project. Of the $312,587 awarded, a portion is structured as a loan to Henry County, which will be repaid from the sale proceeds of the completed homes. The award also includes a $100,000 grant that can be used to reduce the sale price for qualified buyers who meet Virginia housing income requirements. Staff is requesting authorization for the county administrator to execute the loan agreement with West Pedmont Planning District in the amount of $312,587. The staff is also requesting that the board appropriate the loan and grant funds a combined total of $412,587 to support ongoing project development.

Okay. there's significant background material u u in regard to this uh you have had an opportunity to review uh what motion uh would like to be put forth. Uh Mr. Bryant, uh this project is in your district. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I'd make a motion to approve the loan agreements with West Pedmont Planning District Commission and authorize the county administrator to execute all related documents. also to approve appropriating the combined loan and grant funds totaling 400,412,587 for the Villa Heights housing project. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Prior to voting, I will state for public record that Dr. Cobbler and myself serve on West Pedmont Planning District Commission, which we're glad to do. uh we received nothing personally in regard to uh this but I did want to state that for the record that we are part of that commission. Is there any questions in regard to this or any clarification needed? We have a motion and a second. All in favor is 6 Jennifer 9D request for carryover funds of FY25 county funds. Mr. Power.

Yes, sir. As we do each year, staff is asking the board to approve the carryover of committed funds from the fiscal year 2025 budget year to the current fiscal year 26 budget. Staff has prepared the attached list of carryover items by call center. Items on the carryover list are committed items encumbered or obligated from the prior budget year, but the item was not received or the service was not performed prior to June 30th. It also includes unexpended grant funds that may have been awarded in the prior fiscal year and other commitments not completed prior to June 30th. This year's carryover request totals 68,43,828.31 which includes interfund transfers of 15,75,1967. And chief financial officer Daryl Jones is here with us. If anyone has any questions, be glad to answer.

Yeah. uh was talking to Dale earlier about what's available online for everyone to see and it's my understanding that the whole packet that we received with a lot of this information we're given the information on a Tuesday and then it is available to the public within 72 hours like we say there's a lot of background information I see the the list here that somebody would have to go in and see the list. Uh, so I just want to also make sure that everybody realiz is that everything that we see and everything that we're given is given to us on Tuesday for our, you know, information and then again by Wednesday, but within 72 hours, everything that we're seeing is available to for the public to see.

Yes. Yeah. Okay.

Thank you for pointing that out. uh as you have looked through I think it's 16 17 18 pages of background material I don't recall specifically uh not looking directly at it but uh uh of background material you you have seen quite a bit of uh encumbered funds as Mr. pal stated uh and money to be uh transferred which is part of the total budget including uh expenditures that will be uh allocated toward uh schools as well. With that and uh thank you for the background material, Mr. Powell. Uh what motion would the board like to offer in regard to the carryover funds?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the carryover of 68,43,828.31 from FY25 to FY26 as requested. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Uh Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item number 10, uh information item. Uh and I will uh start with uh members of the board if they have any comments starting with uh Dr. Cop.

Yes. Well, that was one thing that I that I wanted to point out. I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to event to attend BEO, which is a Virginia Association of Counties. It's elected officials from the counties and it's a very uh informative conference. We talked a lot about Virginia's budget and about some opportunities for housing. I don't want to get in the weeds of that, but just with the Virginia Housing Development Authority. So, thank you for the opportunity to to be a part of that. Thank you for participating, Mr. Pro.

Uh the only thing I have is uh the Magnavistister Warriors are well on their way to a we hope a state championship. Um they will play Friday night against Lord Bodatide at 700 p.m. for the regional championship. Um and hopefully continue on from there. So, great. Great. Thank you.

Just a couple things. One, like Dr. Cobbler, want to, you know, thank everyone for the FO experience and especially the folk behind the scenes who are making sure that everything is ready and prepared for us when we get there. Um, also want to mention that on December 4th and I will facilitate a youth discussion. I know Mr. Wagner or somebody from the county will be there and you know just a lot of things going on with our youth and really just want to get different folk together so that we can figure out how we can make life better for our youth in Henry County. Um I also want to commend Miss Tiffany Harrison. We had two of them in here a minute ago. Now we're going to be really confusing, but you know, we're down to one uh the commissioner and I know she had her event this past weekend and uh sheriff and his team for all that they do. And I think that, you know, my point with that is is that everybody has a role, which is your job, but we can also step outside of that to make our community better. And I appreciate, you know, those folk doing that. not just what you know they are responsible for doing what they're paid for doing but wanting to make Henry County a better place and um you know commend you all for that and just ask everybody to do that you know find out what your role is your sphere of influence and you know we can all make a difference and um you know that's it for me and happy Thanksgiving to everybody

what time is your forum it is going to be at 12:30 and it'll be here yes ma'am 12:30 here yes ma'am yes sir December 4th Okay. Yeah, Mr. Can. No, sir. Mr. Bryant.

Well, yes, sir. I just wanted to let you know, everybody knows about the coat drive that Deborah has been doing for 30 years, which I think is awesome. You know, I really do. She's she's really worked really hard at uh doing this coat drive to give underprivileged children an opportunity to have a coat when it's cold outside. So, you know, my hats off to you all. So, um, I want to let everybody know that, uh, my business, Bryant Radio, we run, uh, the toys for tots every year. We've been doing it for about 7 years now, Toys for Tots to collect, uh, uh, gifts and stuff like to give children, you know, during Christmas time. That's unfortunately they don't have the means of getting anything else other than this. Um, and so I'm just telling this to the community. you know, if you have any toys or anything that you want to drop off. There's multiple places in Henry County that you can drop this off at, and you can't. It's not only my business, but there's several other places uh that you can drop your toys off, but you know, the Toys for Tots is run by the United States Marine Corps uh retirees. They they do an excellent job uh during Christmas time to get these uh toys up and get them to the uh children in need. And and u it is a good cause. It really is. And uh if you think about Christmas time uh to a child that that should be its most safiest time of the year usually, but some of these children they're they just don't have anything. You know, Christmas is just it's just the opposite. You know, it's just a depressing time of year because they don't have anything. So um you know we we tried to brighten their their Christmas up by giving uh you know to these uh unpapped children and uh through the United States Marine Corps we we have that opportunity to do so. So uh if you have an opportunity to get out and get a gift or something like that uh you can bring it by my business Bryant Radio in Collinsville. Uh or you can just drop it by somebody else that has a Toys for Tots box collection box up.

Thank you.

Great. Thank you. Along the same line, I appreciate Bill Wyatt uh giving a little uh bit of uplift to the toy drive that's going to go on to the Martinville Speedway on December 6th. Very well written story, very informative. I think that uh you can, as I recall, there may be a uh a youth type of walking, running type activity, uh others as well. and then an opportunity later that evening to uh either donate a toy or a monetary contribution uh and uh take a lap around uh the track along with uh what was stated as the world famous Martinsville Speedway hot dogs being available. So uh always a good thing. It doesn't stop there. We've got uh generosity right within our own building, sheriff's department, county employees. Uh the uh employee action committee, EAC is uh also hosting u something that would be similar to a angel tree type of giving. uh they're accep accepting uh folks uh to contribute in a way to sign up uh pick a name or make a monetary uh contribution. Uh Michelle V will receive that uh in regard and uh they'll do the shopping for you if you prefer not to go out and shop. But again, our employees in this complex, as you stated, m Mr. Dylan, they're not just thinking about themselves, they're thinking about the community. Thank Thank you all and I'll pass that word along to each and everyone that uh it's held in high regard for what they're doing for others. That's all I have. I'll turn it over to Mr. Pal and Mr. Wagner.

Okay. And I think Mr. Brandon Martin has something I got.

Okay. Thank you. Um, and this is the fourth year in a row that we within the county and PSA government, we have done what's called Next Up November. It's a program we started to encourage future leaders to learn more about serving in those roles where we encourage the next up to step up and serve in those uh roles, identifying emerging leaders and providing um more focus on mentoring to get the next folks ready. Uh that's one reason that J.R. presented many of the items today as the next up in the county administrator's office. But it's uh all through our organization this month. We put a lot of emphasis on that. But if you will indulge me for a few minutes, I have a few of those folks that I want to call to the podium to talk about some of their projects that they're doing because they are definitely leaders within our organization. But the first ones I want to call up is u our director of information technology Mark Ally and his next up our cyber security analyst Drew Nolan to come up and tell us about u a program we just did over the past week where we invited the cyber security division of the Virginia National Guard to come in and try its best to penetrate our computer networks and tear it down and look for weaknesses and opportunities that we can improve on. So, Mr. Alley, Mr. Nolan, if you could tell us about that. So, first off, I'd like to take speaking of Next Up November, I'd like to take a minute to recognize Nolan. He is our cyber security analyst. That's true. As Dale said, and we're very lucky to have him. He has been with us for about eight years now. And u tell you, I don't know what we'd do without him. So, thank you, J. Um, with that said, we take our cyber security very seriously. With that in mind, we invited the Virginia Army

National Guard Cyber Brigade to conduct a comprehensive cyber security assessment last week. Beginning November 17th, a team of five National Guard cyber security experts came spent the week on site working closely with us. Throughout the week, they conducted staff interviews, reviewed our physical security, examined our policies, accessed our cyber security systems, and performed scans on both our internal and external networks. They completed their work on Friday the 21st, provided us with a detailed report outlining our cyber security posture, any vulnerabilities, and recommended areas for improvement. While I cannot share specific findings in a public setting, I can say that they were complimentary on our current efforts, but they also identified several areas that we can enhance our defenses, including a recommendation to increase IT staffing to help us achieve the goals outlined in their report. I won't sugarcoat it. This assessment was stressful. It's never easy to be examined under a microscope. But our priority is ensuring the county systems and data remain safe. We do not want to become another cyber security statistic. Ransomware and other cyber attacks cause significant downtime compromised sensitive information built into financial losses and erode public trust. We're very grateful to the National Guard team. They were exceptionally professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire process. Lastly, I think it's important to recognize that an on-site assessment of

this scale conducted by a private consultant would typically cost many thousands of dollars. The National Guard delivered this entire mission for no cost to the county. There any any questions? Go ahead. Thank you, Lauren. Thank you, Chairman Adams. I would like to say one more thing and and I don't know if you're finished or not. No, no.

Yeah. You know, just want to say that, you know, the register's office want to thank them. You know, they always conduct a good election and I know that, you know, I want to commend you and myself and, you know, also welcome, you know, Mr. lawless who will join us in January. Um, you know, want to, you know, make sure we, you know, recognize that and want to also thank Mr. Bryant. You know, I know 16 years, it's a lot of time that you've committed to Henry County. We know you're not going anywhere. So, we, you know, want to commend you as well, but did want to make sure that, you know, I mentioned that and said that and, you know, appreciate everything that you've done, the conversations that we've had and, um, you know, the leadership that you've shown to Henry County.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir. You still got a lot of work to do. Yes, sir. Absolutely. He does. Absolutely. But didn't want to get too far down the road and not mention I want to make sure that, you know, while it's still out there that we have that conversation and do that now. um because we know he'll you know come back in Janu I mean December and I'm sure we'll say something else then. Thank you. So the uh next I'll ask public information officer Brandon Martin to come up. Uh Brandon has worked closely with Tiffany Haristen Commissioner Revenue to develop a marketing plan for reassessments that will be coming out in January. So Miss Harrison may want to make the public. You can't hide now.

So, like D was saying, we've been working over the last couple of months or so to develop a communications plan um informing education on the upcoming property reassessments. Um the commissioner has taken upon ourselves to create a couple of subpages on the website. What's going to be on? Um so the the website we have one uh web page that's just dedicated to the appeal process to let people know um like the status and the timeline of our office to legalization as well as circuit court. Um so we have brand enough to make us some greatformational videos about that that is also on the web page. Um the other web page is about general reassessment. You will find us information on uh why we have to do reassessments. um the the um the requirements that we have to meet to do a successful reassessment and um just general information on that and a lot of the information and materials that I created came directly from the commissioner. So I'm sorry for getting that together for me and making this a really easy task. Um the first thing we'll be doing, I'll be sending out a press release later on this afternoon. um basically describing what to expect when residents get their notices in the mail. That'll be happening between January 5th through the 9th. Um we're also want to emphasize the appeals process throughout this entire thing. Whenever we send out the notices, residents will have this colorful mailer in there included. It will be separate. So hopefully it's not as easy to ignore. Um along with those commissioner um mentioned it briefly, we created two different videos. one explaining the purpose and the process of the assessments, why we do it, what goes into those some of those decisions, things like that. And the second one is explaining the appeals process. There's three different ways that residents can appeal if they do not agree with their

reassessment. Uh we want to reiterate that they must begin obviously the lowest level, but at commission revenue's office before volunteer for equalization and finance report. Um, I created an infographic to that same uh content. I'll be posting that along with some social media ads on both of those two things. The commissioners also graciously agreed to the Lion's Den and go to Star News on December the 17th at 7 p.m. to discuss what residents can expect. Um, we've also scheduled two community information sessions in the summer room. One will be on January 14th from 9 to 11. So, that'll be a morning session. And then the other one will be on January 20th from 6 to 7:30.

Do you have that written you have that written somewhere because that those are a lot of dates that we I like to put in my calendar. I know. Do you have that? I'll send you a calendar. Thank you. And then um at least the person will um record that and put it on social media just in case someone to attend, but questions are answered during the community information session that they can get their answer that way. Um lastly, we'll also have a uh banner at the top of our website. Anytime anyone visits our website or the subpage on our website, it'll be at the very top linking them to the reassessment subpages uh that the commissioner created.

Um and with the uh reassessment notice, we're going to include an insert that talks about our tax relief programs and uh the um for real estate, they have payment plans and stuff available as well. So we don't have other options for for that which has always been available. Also, if you have any ideas throughout this process that you think uh think a good idea for us to put out to the public, please let me know.

We're just just reading this. I know we've had multiple conversations about just having the materials that are simple and easy to understand. And I think just what I've seen here, they look very well done. And the press release, I think a lot of questions will be coming, but I think that the answers, a lot of the answers are on the press release. And my last comment or question is this is available. Is this what people are receiving with their notices? This fly right here. Okay. And again, very well done and very, very easy to grasp and understand. Great job. Thank you. Thank you.

The uh just a couple other reminders uh for the newly elected and reelected officials will have at the December 16th meeting at 6 p.m. the clerk of court will be here as long as well as the registar to for swearing in ceremony of those individuals and presenting of their certificate of election December 16th meeting. Um, also on December 16th at 1 p.m. we will have a ribbon cutting for the Villa Heights housing project. That will be the day that we'll hand the keys over to the realtor and say sell them. So, we're excited about that. If you've driven through there lately, the houses look really nice and the grass has already grown up in the yard. So, we're pretty excited about this project. And then, uh, let me finish with this. You know, a few years ago, I challenged Brandon to create a logo for Henry County um with the tagline of community connected. We didn't issue press releases. We didn't make a lot of noise about it. We just kind of put it out there. And the reason we did that, sometimes you mess up when we put out logos and stuff, but everything I've heard this evening with presentation of 250 coats from Walmart and philanthropists and donors in our community and the work of you all to get those coats to the children. Um the EAC Christmas project and so many things that's good about our community and how we work together with each other to support each other. Uh that logo is not about Henry County government. It's about Henry County and we truly are community connected and government is not there for everybody to do everything but Henry County people of Henry County are and when there's a need our people step up to meet that need and that's why Henry County is a community connected. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.

All right, that takes us to agenda item number 11. If someone will cite uh the in a motion reasons for going into closed meeting.

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion the board convenes in a closed meeting as permitted under the following sections of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act 2.23711A1. Discussion of appointees to the public service authority board Patriot Center CCBC Advisory Board and the West Pedmont Planning District 2.23711 2 3711 A7 for discussion of pending legal matters, 2.23711 A3 for discussion of the acquisition disposal of real estate and 2.23711 A5 for discussion of as yet unannounced industries. Second.

All in favor is uh 6 Jennifer and uh may it be noted that u newly elected uh Mr. Lawless. We invite you to join us in close meeting upstairs in 5 minutes by M. Buchanan and a second by Mr. Puit. Mr. Pal, will you pull the board, please? Yes, sir. Board members, best of your knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under Virginia section 2.2-3711 were heard, discussed, or considered a closed meeting. How do you vote, Mr. Adams? Yes, sir. Mr. Bryant. Yes, sir. Mr. Buchanan. Yes, sir. Mr. D. Yes, sir. Dr. C. Yes, sir.

Mr. Yes, sir. Mr. P, I believe that you have an appointment to the public service authority uh for the board's consideration. Yes, sir. I make a motion to uh reappoint Vivian Haristen uh to the public service authority board uh for a term of four years expiring 15 of 2030. Second. We have a motion. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? 6 Jennifer uh and Mr. Bryant I believe for the West Pedmont Planning District Commission. Uh you have uh appointments to that.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I do uh like to reappoint Jim Adams and Pam Cobbler to the West Pedmont Planning District Commission for the length of four years expiration date going to be December the 31st of 2029. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Jennifer. Uh Mr. Wagner, do you have any business for the board's consideration prior to uh calling for a recess? Board members, do you have any? If not, we'll stand in recess and uh at 4:27 and reconvene promptly at 6:00 for the evening session. the ones on screen. I'll

call the 6 p.m. session of the November 25th, 2025 meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors back to order from our uh recess of this afternoon. I would like to welcome all 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 a 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 tonight's meeting as agenda item number 15. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and participating in your county government business. Our first uh item is agenda item 12. We have David Kaiser with us from VOTE. David, welcome.

Thank good evening. I just have two items to give you updates on tonight. Um on October 30th, we had the um public hearing at the Groovy Mason Elementary School to take comments on the two uh projects that the CTP put funding towards. That's the continuous green tea on 220 ridgeway and uh also improvements 2220 from the bypass to Shannon Hills. And uh uh we had that public hearing and took comments and um um I believe the the CTV has has moved forward with the funding. Um right now we don't have any schedule for those projects but hopefully we will um in the next few months. Uh the only other item um I have to discuss is in August we um advertised for the abandonment of a section of 57. Um and and you all on August the 26th did a resolution of support. Um after that we discovered that there was a error in the language. It read that the location was 0037 miles west of Route 925 and it actually should have been uh 03 of a mile east of 925. And it's um it's it's a small error, but um because this is an abandonment on a primary, it will need to go to the CTB before um to get approval. So, we did want to correct that, which means we advertised it again with the correct language. Um, that advertisement was November 8th and 22nd and the 30-day deadline to to request a

willingness or to ask questions um is December the 9th. Um, we did not get any u request the previous time and don't expect to this time and we would like to request at the next board meeting if you all could do a a resolution of support for for it again with the new language and that would be at the next board meeting. Okay. Uh and that's the only two items I have. Okay. Do either of you have any items uh for David? uh tonight. I'd just like maybe the next meeting to provide an update in the intersection where Dodge store is on 220.

People people just they're starting to ask me about that again and then I didn't know just maybe for an idea recommendation if we do get calls cuz I get calls and then I and I ask them to contact department of contact y'all's office. Could you give us uh if there have been calls to your office in a specific district, I would say specifically for Reed Creek, could you let us know? Yes.

Like just a report back instead of maybe us asking you, maybe a report to us if someone in our desk district has contacted you about a road or issue. I know we've had a few citizens actually come in and ask about it and um right now what they are waiting on is the new mass arm for the signal. It's it's being relocated and it will be a new um you know the the arm that actually holds the lights. Um a new one will be installed and um um don't know why but the contractor was still waiting on receiving that before they come back and continue to work. So, I know that's that's why it started and and now they haven't done anything uh again until they get that part.

Thank you. You're welcome. Any other items? David, thank you for being here. Thank you all. That takes us to agenda item uh number 13. Uh we'll have a public hearing on a resoning application R-25-17 for Ronald Keith Oliver. We have with us uh to give us background material on this our director of planning and zoning, Mr. Lee Clark. Mr. Clark.

Sure. This property is located at 294 Hails Fishbine Roads in the Blackberry District. Property shown on tax map 2552 as lots 21, 22, and 23. The applicant is requesting the reszoning of approximately 6/10 of an acre from suburban residential district to mixed residential district and the applicant wishes to market the property for potential placement of double wide manufactured home or potentially home. Following the public hearing, both the planning commission and staff recommended approval of this request.

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 6:05 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 606. This is in my district. I I think the uh request is uh very appropriate and I agree with the planning commission if someone will make the motion on my behalf. Sir, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the reason request as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Uh, Jennifer, agenda item number 14th, public hearing on resoning application R-25-18 for Ralph East Sideley Jr., we know him as Mike, Mr. Clark. Property is located at 2125 Sunset Drive to the Recruit District. The property shown on tax 152, lot 264. The applicant hears requesting the reszoning of just over 6 acres from suburban residential district to rural residential district and the applicant wishes to place a manufactur on the property. Following public hearing, both planning comming commission and staff also recommended approval of this request.

I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 607. 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 607. Dr. Cobb, this is in your district.

Yes. Uh Mr. Sidle, I was not noted the uh the very public letter that you presented uh to help out a former Marine for this property. So, just want to thank you for that. And it is my privilege and honor to make a motion to approve the resoning request as presented. Second. We have a motion. Second. Any discussion? All in favor is 6. Uh Jennifer. That takes us to agenda item uh number 15, matters presented by the public. Um and we do have someone that's requested under matters presented by the public. And I'll ask him to come forward. Mr. Andy Parker.

Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. In the in my back notes, it was Okay. All right. I requested it very soon. Okay. Great. Thank you.

Okay. Uh yes. And while you're handing that out, I'm going to read a brief policy statement and it won't take just a moment. This is a time for public comment. We welcome your participation in tonight's meeting. We're here to listen to you. You care to address a board. You're coming to the podium. State your name, your subject matter, and the district in which you live. And by coming to the podium, you've agreed that you will exhibit respect for the board, the staff, and its members. You will receive the same consideration from the board and staff. Please try to keep your presentation between 3 to 5 minutes.

Good evening, the board. My name is U. Barry Barker and I'm here on the behalf of the uh Henry County pickle ball community which a lot over here if you guys want to stand. Thanks. Over the past year, our group has worked closely with uh uh parks and recreation and the harvest foundation to uh find a viable u location or realistic location covered facility in Henry County. We looked at the rec center, the old jail site, and after careful evaluation, both locations presented significant problems, flood plane, limited parking, and cost concerns. But that work led us to a better viable u opportunity, which was JC Park. One group, one of our group members um suggested taking a fresh look at underused tennis courts and review parks and wreck has confirmed that converting JC Park into a covered pickle ball facility was doable. In fact, it may be the path of least resistance. The courts sit on an existing hard service that is minimal disruption to the community with milling and resurfacing at the site can support a modern covered modular structure. There are several important benefits by choosing JC Park. First, the community benefit. Pickle ball is exploding in Henry County. Uh it's affordable. It's multi-generational. It draws people together who might not otherwise meet. I can speak to that personally. Uh introduced me not only to a great sport, but to relationships and friendships that I would probably never met unless it was through pickle ball. And the same thing happened in my tennis background most of my years. But now since I can't rush the net or chase down lobs, the alternative after retiring was, you know, I I was lucky to find this. Uh dozen of our players was will feel the same way. They stress sense of

community, offering accessibility, healthy activity, and residents of all ages. Uh second, the economic benefit. A cover facility. We give Henry County the ability to host tournaments, regional tournaments, uh league play, uh fundraisers, brings people to our restaurants, our hotels, and all around shopping. Other counties are doing this, and there's no reason Henry County can't be a leader in the region with a dedicated year-round facility. Third, we're not asking the county to shoulder this alone. Our group is committed to raising a significant portion of the cost through private fundraising, through partnerships and grants opportunities. The Harvest Foundation has expressed support for the concept with the understanding that their board will review a finalized plan and budget. We're ready to do do our part tonight. We're asking you guys, the board to do two things. support the JC as the preferred site for this project and allow us to move forward in better partnerships, funded plan and benefits in the county recreation, health and economic vitality. This facility would be more than courts. It will be a long-term investment in community connection, tourism and quality of life in Henry County. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to answering any questions you may have. All right.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Are there others wishing to address the board tonight under matters presented by the public? Okay. Um, Mr. Wagner, do you have any other business that the county needs to consider tonight? I do not. Okay. Board members, do you have any other business? Yes, sir.

Yeah. I just want to mention, you know, just actually looking back, you know, I guess a few meetings ago, we voted on the legislative agenda and we had it included in that that we would support the NCI PHCC conversation. NCI's board has actually come back and voted against looking into that. And I kind of feel at some point we need to revisit that and consider whether we want to remove that off of our legislative agenda so that we're not sending something to Richmond that NCI is not actually supporting themsself. So uh don't know if we want to take action on that but do definitely think that's a conversation that we need to have um since NCI's board did vote against that.

Yes sir. Thank you for bringing that up. Yes sir. other items that we need to consider prior to adjournment.

I'd like to take the opportunity also and we spoke uh at the 3:00 meeting about having the agenda that we receive on Tuesdays prior to our board meetings and with the number of people that are here. I think it's uh relative to say it again tonight that whatever the agenda that we have and the items that are on the packet for the board, we get them on Tuesday and from the administration says that they will either be public on Wednesday or within 72 hours. So the agenda and the minutes and the items that we're given as a supervisor or part of the board is available to the public at least 72 hours after it's presented to us. You can go online and see everything that we see online.

I'm sorry. Yes, sir. And I know the gentleman presented about pickle ball and I think at some point it'll be important to send some type of numbers as far as cost or what you're specifically asking for so that if that's something that we do have conversation about we've got all that information in front of us. Yes. And I I would imagine that would be part of budget discussions as well. Correct. Yeah. Absolutely. Other items. Okay. Um, I will entertain a motion for adjournment then. So moved. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? 6 Jennifer. Everyone have a good evening. Thank you for coming out here.