Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

Call the 3 PM session of the February 24th, 2026 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 uh this evening under agenda item number 17. Again, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming out and being a part of uh your county government and the decisions that'll be made. Our first business item of consideration is the items of consent. Agenda item number five. 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 uh 6 uh Jennifer. Uh agenda item number six. We'll have a monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts. We have with us uh County Treasurer Tiffany C. Haristston. Uh Miss Haristen, welcome.

Thank you. For personal property collections, as of January 30th, 2026, we collected 82.5% of the 2025 personal property taxes. In the month, we collected $349,6.95. For real estate, as of January 30, 2026, we collected 92.55% of our real estate taxes. In the month, we collected $171,559.17. Um, for THCS since January 1st, 2026, we collected 144,375. Um, for debt set off, we have collected 3,696, excuse me, $3,697.76. On January the 12th for the year for debt set off, we collected the $3,697.76. Okay. Does anyone have any items uh for uh Treasurer Harist at this time?

Yes. I've had a couple of inquiries recently about what the TACS is. Would you explain that? So, just for the minutes, please. Yes. Um TACS, which is short for taxing authority consulting services. They're the collection services that we use to help collect our delinquent taxes. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Are there other items that uh we have? Okay, thank you. Agenda item number seven, we'll have an update on the progress of broadband installation in Henry County. Mr. Wagner,

you know, uh deploying broadband to all corners of our community has been a goal of ours for several years now and it's been a massive ongoing project and we have with us today Mr. Robert Taylor with River Street Networks to provide an update on the project. Hi, I'm Rob Taylor with the River Street Networks here to give you an update on uh broadband fiber to home we're working on right now. So, just to bring everybody up to speed, the uh the fiber broadband projects in coordination with the West Pum PDC. They are the applicant and uh we were able to secure funding for VAT 2022 and 2023 projects in Henry County. as part of a threecount project that is including uh parts of uh Franklin County as well as majority of Patrick County. If you uh recall the total locations we're going to end up passing is about 3,461. It's about 420 total miles of fiber. Total project cost just over $34 million. And there was a breakdown of the funding on average is going to cost approximately $9,900 per location to pass with Fiverr. Currently, uh the um the project is under a utility leverage program through the uh Virginia Estate Corporation Commission, which means that we're leasing fibers back from A. So, they are in the process of putting those fibers in the air across uh all three of the counties. Uh currently in Henry County, they've completed the 130,944 ft. Uh in the Fieldell Spencer area, in the Axton Ridgeway, they've completed 113,942 ft. In the Leatherwood area, they've completed 87,71 ft. And in the Figsboro area, they've completed uh 76,877 ft. Once they get the sections completed and get them ready to go, they're going to light them and then they'll turn them

over to us so that we can start hooking up customers to it. In a later on slide, it will come up. We hope to begin that process uh in the beginning of next quarter, right? So, that's when we're hoping they're going to start turning over. We've already kind of edged into the county and we've got about 26 locations on the northeast portion of the county that we're feeding out of Pennsylvania County that we're able to provide services. Uh and so we're right now I I don't remember the exact location, but I'll bring it up here and we'll know. Uh I think it's in the Bronzeville area. So out of out of coming out of Pennsylvania County and the Brazwell area along that corridor is where we're going to probably able to start lighting the first customers besides the 26 that have access right now. So one of the other things I wanted to go over was bead. So bead was the final kind of round of broadband funding. It came down uh from the federal government. It was for like $45 billion. The state of Virginia got 1.48 billion. uh they ended up using approximately 400 to 500 million of that for uh fiber deployment. The original plan they were going to use about 900 million of that for fiber deployment but when there was administration change it was decided that satellite was a suitable product and so the funding a large portion of it ended up going to satellite. Fortunately that's not necessarily the case here in Henry County. Uh in Henry County, the primary winners of the uh services were going to be River Street, followed by Bright Speed as well as Comcast. And then there are both low orbit satellites from Amazon as well as uh SpaceX. So this map kind of shows you a breakdown. I know it's hard to see on this screen. The the yellow dots are us. The green dots are really uh bright speed. The um the reddish dots are going

to be uh either SpaceX or the Amazon product. And then it's really hard to see, but there's a couple little blue dots in there that uh show up. And those are the Comcast locations. If we go to the next screen, this just breaks down all the blue, those are going to be uh basically fiber locations. The red that you can see now, those are going to be the cable locations. that's going to be uh Comcast and then the uh satellite CA locations, they show up as purple on this map. We go over what ended up happening. Uh and I should updated the title on the slide. Uh uh this this is what we have uh for uh going into uh Henry County. We have 2563 locations that were funded through um bead. Uh River Street received 1,999, Bright Speed received 546, Amazon received 11, SpaceX received four, and Comcast received three. Now, one thing to note is that,8 of those locations were we're going to be deobligated. And what I mean by that is that as the um funding was being released, they kept updating the maps, right? So you would have an issue where say on one map the the address shows up here and that got funded by Baddy, but on another map the address for the same parcel showed up over there. And so that got being funded. And then when the maps got corrected and they got closer and closer, they said, "Oh, wait a second. This is the same location on the parcel. Therefore, that one needs to be deobligated because that funding is no longer available because it's

already been funded." So, that was one of the things that was going on. Another thing might have gone on is that they looked at the parcel and they after they did a closer review, they decided, well, wait a second, that's not a physical structure. that's a home or business that might be a barn or a chicken coupe or something like that. That's not a broadband structure. Therefore, it's not fundable. So, there's about 1,28 of those that came up in the final review. Uh, of that, about 671 were locations that are within the 1,999 that we received. So, we should be getting funding to pass another 1328 locations in the county with fiber. Um, when you look at it, we're going to be that's why we have a somewhere in between 4,789 to 5,460. That's the number of locations we'll be passing with fiber in the county. So, the potential B locations again is between 1328 and 1999. The overall funding uh that we received is going to be just over 24 million. The county has brought in 4 million of match. That was what helped us secure the batty funding uh in 22 and 23. A is bringing in 12.7 million of uh inind uh work. That's the fiber and the labor that they're using to put in on the poles. Uh River Street is bringing in just under $9 million of match. So now the total cost of the project has gone up to about $50 million bringing in those. And the one reason why if you notice previously I said the the cost per passing was somewhere around 9,000. Now the cost per passing is around 10,400 and that's because that last 1328 locations. Those are the harder to reach locations. Right? They're a little bit further up. Now if you look at this map you can see a breakdown. And again on

this this uh slide it's a little hard to see but the yellow circles those are the beam funded locations. The other uh other items they're either VDaddy 22 funded or they're Batty 23 funded. And so you can see the fiber routes the the blue and red fiber routes you see those are mainly the transport fibers that are going to be are getting installed by a right now. And again once those get turned over to us then we can start lighting those up. What I have here is a kind of a breakdown or an update uh kind of at the construction level. Um so the county is broken into several different serving cabinets or what we call cos. Um right now according to this there's 69.73 miles of fiber installed by a across these the cos. And again, the first homes that should be able to get service with fines, the 26 in the uh northeastern region there are going to be in the Brazwell area coming off of Brazwell cabinet 19. And that is supposed to start happening next quarter. Here's a breakdown uh where we stand with uh permits, AP design permits. You can see I'll need to bring up a little bit better version here so I can read this out to you because it's hard to see up on that map. So right now um the design uh and permits have been completed in all areas except for Basset which is still in progress from AP. The AP build of the main line is completed in the Philell Spencer Axen Ridgeway and Leatherwood and they're in progress in Fixboro, Sapstone and Basset. Um tail splicing. So what is happening is the A fiber is in the power zone and they will extend a tail down from the power zone to go into

the communication zone or down to the ground. And at that point they will be turned over to us to splice in uh drops from there out to the the customers. So the a tails uh they're in progress of splicing those in the field Spencer and Axton Ridgeway and Leatherwood. So typically what happens they will splice in those tails and then they'll do an end to-end test to make sure everything is working and they will then turn the equipment on to uh their electronics and let us know that those fibers are now usable and that's the phase that we're waiting on right now. Again hopefully beginning next quarter we'll start seeing that and start lighting up customers. Um the tail testing is complete in Field Spencer and next they'll start in the Axton Ridgeway area. Go to the next slide. This is kind of gives you a a layout of where the Irisburg remote's going to be. Um this one we're going to be reaching out to the county. We had have reached out to property owners in this area. We actually had a uh hired a company to help us uh with lease agreements. Uh that company ended up stopping doing that business. So we ended up hiring an individual that used to work for that company to do lease agreements that had uh some real estate background. Uh that individual uh we found was not very uh productive. So then we had our engineering firm doing uh real estate uh acquisitions for us and we have been able to acquire some of the properties that we need but there are several properties that we'll be reaching out uh um to Mr. Wagner to get some additional assistance. He and the schools have already helped us on a couple of properties but there are several properties that we need to still get access and these typically are going to be for where we put our a 12x20 cabinet. Those are the pre-cast concrete

buildings in which we house a large portion of electronics. Uh and and this one here in Irisburg is one of them. Uh this also is another Robertson Glady Fork remote. This is an area that we're looking at uh uh securing additional property so we can put a building here. And here is another one. The Grassy Creek remote is one that we are going to be looking for as well. uh in Soapstone and the Jordan Creek. So, I'm going to have engineering is supposed to be reaching out uh to Mr. Wagner with this information to see if we can come up with other property uh locations out there that to secure. And and typically we're looking for a 50x50 lease on a piece of property. not a whole lot of room um to put the 12x20 building. We do like to be somewhere close to the roadway because uh typically all the fibers are either run inside the rightway of the VOTE or in the power lines right above the Laurel Park remote that school board has already executed agreement and that one is um already been uh the agreement's already been approved I understand is what I understand. Yeah. And then the uh we need assistance with Rockurn remote, but there is this one here dire store. Uh we're in the process of miss working with Mr. Wells that Mr. Wagner had uh reached out to and put us in contact with. So at that time, any questions from the board or any follow-up information you need me to get?

I'm going to try to go quickly. Thank you for coming. Nice nice to see you again. when the the original or one of the first slides when you were given the thousands of people affected or how many uh how much fiber has been put out what as far as the project is concerned how far in terms of percentage are we 30% there are we 50% there 75%

so when I looked back at the original application for a There is supposed to be 237 miles of fiber. Now, this slide here when I was sitting out there and calculated up. This slide here was just updated before this meeting. And what I had seen is this is actually 77 miles of fiber. The other slide was 69 miles. And that was actually put together because I was supposed to be here last month, but the snowstorm hit and I couldn't make it. Uh, so I'm assuming what happened is they put in another 10 miles of fiber, which is pretty good because we lost exact over two weeks of production because of all the snow they hit this area. So during those two weeks, they put in another 10 miles of fiber. So right now at about 77 miles, if they're still putting in 2 uh 37 miles of fiber overhead, then they're sitting somewhere right at 30%. Now I say if they're still sitting at because you have to keep in mind that when the applications were submitted that was a rough engineering design and that number could have gone up or down based after that time. So I don't have it but I will check with a to see if they could give us what their final engineering hearing numbers are going to be but when we submitted the application was 237 months.

Thank you. Uh what is considered next quarter? I mean sometimes we operate by Yeah. Yes. So again, uh I was told second quarter, so that's going to be April, May, June. Okay. And in your estimation, do you believe that everybody in Henry County will have access to broadband and internet at some point? Again, you can look at of those 5,000 locations that we're funded, they will have access to fiber. Yes.

Okay. Thank you. And then I was ask Mr. Waggle with this in terms of a reasonable update. How how often do you feel that we should be provided an update? I'll leave that to your judgment. I mean, we meet every month with uh all the participants in this project. We're industry Appalachin Power that are subcontractors. Um so we're on top of it, stay on top of it. We're happy to bring in as much information as often you need it. Okay.

I typically reserve unless there's something that's important for the public to know and I know right now it's just wait u but when we start turn when they start turning customers on and making them available then you know that's going to move really fast so the updates may come a lot faster then um and particularly their their website is already up where you can go and sign up so you the customer will be the very first person to know when it's available to them even before I know cuz River Street's going to want turn them on as soon as as soon as it's available. So that's number one recommendation, but if you all want it quarterly, monthly, it's I'll leave it up to you for something significant. Let me let me add on the timeline. He said about 35% of that's the actual physical work, but I feel like 99% of the work's already been done because the permitting process was just

engineering engineering in engineering. We wasted a whole year just getting the state corporation commission to approve it with Appalachian Power and that really put the project behind and uh the VOTE permits and all the Northfor southern permits and national park permits in Frankach County. They're just all redeemed to get things moving.

It's very similar building house. There's a lot of stuff that goes in ahead of time. All the engineering or the architecture work has to be done and everything. And then once that then you have to get the permits, then you have to get the approval process. So yes, there's a lot of stuff that goes in before even construction can begin. But uh again with the construction, they're moving along pretty pretty quickly. So uh we're looking forward uh to then turning those first locations over because again, we don't get any of our money back until we start turning up customers. Okay. Thank you for coming again and thank you for the update. I would request quarterly still. Definitely more than once a year.

So, just a quarterly. And then uh two more things. I'm trying to go fast. Mr. Chairman, I share Collinsville with Chris and you said Brightpe. I'm not sure I was even aware that they were part of the plan and they have been knocking on doors and doing some things that are that have nothing to do with the county plan. part of the county grant that there was separate funding that we're not involved with for them to build out some of their copper network and make it five and that's through B that was a federal program and originally they the program did require uh counties to provide um support letters but then when things changed around with the administration and they said satellites could come in they then took away the requirements where the counties no longer had to support the uh ISPs and so that opened up areas to ISPs that may not have gone out and garnered the support like we had to uh get funding. So according to this they're going to be in the northwestern portion of the county is where they're they're going to be building.

Thank you. Thank you. And you mentioned accessible. What um what are you thinking as far as monthly or yearly fees per household? So um we right now and I wish I would have brought it. We right now are we have a lowinccome uh service that is at uh 100 by 100 meg megs of internet and I want to say that is around $65 a month. You said low income.

Yes sir. before they can do that's before they can do uh lifeline and that will give them additional $9 and something off the the residential base package is 500 by 500 and I want to say that that's at $89 a month and then a gig service,000 by,000 I think that is at uh $124.95 a month is where I believe we're at now at the same time we offer monthly that That's without any monthly contracts. So, if people do sign up for contracts, then we have actual where they sign up for a year or two year, they're actually can get a discount above those base fees. Um, and I I just don't know what the special is right now. I think it's two two or three months of free service if you sign up for a one-year contract. So, right,

other questions. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Our next agenda item will take up financial matters under agenda item 8A, an additional appropriation referencing the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority Grant. Mr. Wagner.

So, uh, we've brought this grant application to you before to apply for grant funding for the Kinship Navigator position that will be located at the Henry Marshall Department of Social Services. Uh that grant has been awarded and has been approved, but before social services can hire and fill that position, we must appropriate the grant. So staff is asking the board to approve an appropriation of $141,630 received from the opioid abatement grant for the kinship advocate position program. It does not require local management.

Okay. Um, with that, uh, what action does the board desire to take in regard to this additional appropriation? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional $141,630 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority grant as requested. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? All in favor? is 6. Uh, Jennifer 8B, an additional appropriation referencing water and sewer line extensions for the engineering and mapping department. Mr. Wagner.

So, as part of our performance agreement with Nathan Troder and as part of our enterprise zone obligations to connect water to the industrial sites, uh we saw an opportunity with Nathan Troder to get an easement for them to extend the water line beyond their property line that will allow us to better serve lots eight nine in the future in the Patriot Center. So, uh, working collaboratively with them, they're going to cover the cost of the project up to that point and then we're going to ask we're asking for some appropriation of some additional funds here so we can continue that extension of the water line to carry it closer to lot nine for future development. So, we're asking for an additional appropriation of $211,000 which was received from Economic Development Corporation and Nathan Troder for the extension of the water line. Uh the total project cost is $354,500 of which the Industrial Development Authority will provide the remaining $143,500 needed to the project. Appending the appropriation, staff is also requesting the board to award a contract to Steve Martin Trench of Basset, Virginia with $354,500 to complete the water line and the sewer line extension for this project. and the purchasing department has reviewed and authorized with Steve Martin trench.

Okay, thank you for the background on that. Um, with that, uh, what is the desire of the board? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $211,000 received from the EDC and Nathan Troder for the water and sewer line extensions to lot four of the Patriot Center and award a contract of 354,000 $500 to Steve Martin's trenching for the project. Second. We have a motion, a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Well, I did want to ask, did you say Basset? These the Steve Martin, did you say from Basset? Yes.

Okay. There you go, Mr. Garrett. There's some local we do a lot the public service does a lot of work. Steve Martin, Pearl and Pace, which is a local company. C CW we call him local because he's here so much a lot of the PSA work. He's right at the end of Blackberry Road. Okay. So, uh on the Stones side of Blackberry Road. Okay. He he did a lot of work to com. Any other questions or discussion?

All in favor? It is 6. Uh Jennifer. Uh that takes us to agenda item number nine,formational items. I'll begin by uh taking comments from the board. Starting with Dr. Cobblin. Yes. Want to invite everyone out to our community meeting at the Basset Fire Department tomorrow. It is in the Reed Creek District. We are invited everyone in the county to come out and uh hear from all of the administration and to also hear from the community from 6 to 8. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Pro. I don't have anything. Mr. D. Yes, sir. And I reached out to all of you about district impact funds and if this is the appropriate time, I'd like to speak on it or I can do that this afternoon. Your choice.

I would say go ahead. Yes, sir. Spoke to a

Yeah. spoke to a young man, Nick Bachmann. played soccer at Magna Vista. He's playing some professional semi-pro soccer in Raleigh. And he'd love to come back and do something for the community. And of course, one of my things is, you know, let's get the kids active, get the kids moving. So, um, you know, talking about see if I could help him with a soccer camp at the sports complex during spring break week. Hopefully, we can get some kids out, well, not hopefully, but get some kids out there to participate. and would like to request $500 from the district impact fund. That'll help cover the cost of the soccer camp, the registr the fees for the uh complex uh food items, t-shirts, or whatever other items that he would, you know, need for that. So, I would love to, you know, get you all support on that. And I don't know if I make that motion or if somebody else um

there is a motion. Uh yes, sir. And I so I'd make a motion that um we approve $500 out of the district impact fund to support Nick Bachmann and his soccer camp uh for April 7th. Second. I have a motion second and just for clarification uh he will provide receipts on everything as requ as required by the county. Yes sir. Okay. So we have a motion and a second. Any other uh discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh, Jennifer. Uh, anything else, Mr. Del? I think that's it. Okay. Yes, sir. Miss McCann, no sir. Uh, Mr. Laws? No, sir. And I don't have anything. Uh, Mr. Wag,

just a reminder of the Chamber of Commerce business trade show. Next week is Thursday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March, which is next week. Always a good time to meet the business and organizations in our community. So, remind you of that. And then as soon as we finished uh close session and at five o'clock today, we'll meet jointly with the school board on the third floor is going. All right. That takes us to agenda item number 10. If someone will cite the uh items as allowed by the code of Virginia 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. 23711A1 for discussion of appointees to the Industrial Development Authority and Dan River Alcohol Safety Action Board. 2.23711 A7 for discussion of pending legal matters. 2.23711 A3 for the discussion of the acquisition or disposal of real estate and 2.23711 A5 for discussion of as yet unannounced industries.

Second. Have a motion, a second. All in favor? It is 6 Jennifer. I'll see you all upstairs in five minutes. A motion by M. Second by Mr. Puit. Mr. Powell, will you pull the board, please? Yes, sir. Board members, to the best of your knowledge on public matters law exempted from public meeting requirements under code Virginia section two-3711 were heard, discussed, or considered a closed meeting. How do you vote, Mr. Adams? Yes, sir. Mr. Yes, sir. Much? Yes, sir. Mr. Dylan. Yes, sir. Dr. Coblin. Yes, sir. Mr. Puit. Yes, sir.

Um, Mr. Puit, I believe that uh you have a district for board's consideration. Um, yes. I would like to nominate um Rodney Thcker and Barry Jarrett to the Industrial Development Authority for another term of four years ending March 31st of 2030. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It's 6 Jennifer. And Mr. Lawless, I believe that you have a one for the board's consideration.

Yes, sir. I would like to uh vote that Tim Compton. I make a motion that Tim Compton would take over Scott Barker's term um for the Dan River Alcohol Safety Action Program Board. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Uh Jennifer. Mr. Wang, do you have any items prior to us uh going upstairs to meeting with the school board? I do not. Board members, do you have any? Yes. Okay. Uh I'm not sure that we're actually technically calling this a recess. Are we?

I would uh just call a recess. That way you all can mingle in between without conducting official business and then you can call back and forth.

Okay. Well, I declare recess until we all meet at 5:00 on the third floor. I'll call the uh Henry County Board of Supervisors uh to order for our 6 p.m. session. We've had an afternoon session, a short recess, a meeting with the school board, and so it all continues uh into a 6 pm uh session. Like to welcome all of our visitors. Thank you for uh coming out and being part of your county government functions. If you want any meeting to be placed specifically on the agenda to address the board, you'll need to contact the county administrator's office 7 days in advance of any of our regular meetings. However, the public may address the board under the agenda item matters presented by the public that we'll take up tonight as agenda item number 17. Again, uh welcome everyone and uh thank you for uh being here. Our first business item of consideration is um agenda item number 12, general highway matters. Uh we have three with us from VOTE tonight and uh an introduction of uh someone new to our locality.

No, as some of you may know, you may not. Um I'll be retiring at the actually the end of March, but be taking a lot of time off now and then. But uh my replacement is Robin Keeler. Um, Robin's been with VOTE for 30 plus years. Um, she lives in Franklin County now and I'll let her introduce herself. But, uh, anyway, um, she and David I know will do a good job of of being responsive to you all like like we always have. So, that's all I have. Good afternoon. Good evening. Yes. Thank you all for having us. I appreciate it. I am Robin Keeler. was a resident of of Henry County for many years, but I do currently live in Franklin County. But I'm going to leave a few business cards here with you all. And if there's anything I can do to help you, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you. And I just just had a couple updates for you uh during my time. Uh the intersection improvements there at Dire Store, Dire Street, and Virginia Avenue. Uh they're they're going to be starting up here as soon as the asphalt plants open. We'll be paving around that that curbing that was replaced or taken up and moved and shifted and then uh we'll be doing the signal work and that'll probably be in June and then the final paving and we expect the project to finish up by the end of summer.

Thank you. Um if you'll hold just a moment um Miss Hughes um Miss uh Buchanan, I believe that you have something to offer up on the board's behalf.

I do. and Lisa and I go back a long way to uh the time we worked together as teenagers. Um, and I'm more than happy to read this resolution on behalf of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. This is honoring Lisa Hughes upon her retirement from the Virginia Department of Transportation. Whereas Lisa Hughes has faithfully served the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Henry County through her distinguished career with the Virginia Department of Transportation beginning on June 1st, 1985. And whereas over the course of more than 40 years of dedicated public service, Mrs. Hughes advanced through the ranks of VOTE, serving with professionalism and expertise as a construction inspector, engineer trainee, project engineer, assistant resident engineer, and since 1999 as resident engineer serving Henry County. And whereas during her tenure as resident engineer, Miss Hughes has overseen numerous transportation initiatives critical to the safety, mobility, and economic vitality of the region, including major improvements to sections of Route 58 and other key infrastructure projects that have enhanced uh the quality of life for residents and businesses alike. And whereas Mrs. Hughes has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical knowledge, and a collaborative spirit in working with local officials, contractors, stakeholders, and community members to deliver projects efficiently and responsibly. And whereas beyond her professional responsibilities, Miss Hughes has exempl exemplified a deep commitment to civic

engagement through her involvement with the nonprofit organization All Vets in support of local veterans, and by faithfully serving as a poleworker during elections, contributing to the strength of both her community and democratic institutions. And whereas her integrity, work ethic, and steady leadership have earned the respect and appreciation of colleagues, local government partners, and the citizens that she has served throughout her career. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Henry County Board of Supervisors hereby expresses its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Lisa Hughes for her more than four decades of exemplary public service and congratulates her on her retirement effective April 1st, 2026. And this is signed Jim Adams, chairman, Henry County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Chairman, I move that we adopt this resolution. Second.

We have a motion and second. All in favor is 6. Uh Jennifer and I'll ask the entire board if you will come down this opportunity. You're not going anywhere. We're going to call you anyways.

Oh, so much. This is such a surprise. What a nice surprise. this way. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Just let me say it. It has been a pleasure. It It really has. Though at times it may not have seemed like it, but it is. And uh Henry County is my home and I'm proud to call Henry County home and and it will always be my home. So and thank you all for everything. I really appreciate it from home. Thank you.

Our next agenda item is uh agenda item 13, presentation of the 2025 Jack Dalton Community Service Award. Mr. Wagner, if you would uh like to give us any background material on this.

Sure. The course advisors established the Jack Dolphin Community Service Award in 2001. The award is presented annually to the Henry County resident who best exemplifies the standards for community service set by the late Mr. D. This year's recipient is expected to attend the meeting and I think one of you all have a resolution to this is a resolution of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. uh for the uh 2025 Jack Dalton Community Service Award. Whereas the Jack Dalton Community Service Award is presented annually to an individual whose dedication, leadership, and selfless service has made a lasting and meaningful impact on the citizens of Henry County. And whereas Mr. Charles Williams honorably served the country in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972, including service in Vietnam, and has continued his lifelong commitment to the veterans as a lif member of BFW Post 115 and a member of American Legion Post 42 where he received the outstanding military veteran award in 2020. 20. And whereas Mr. Williams has dedicated decades to supporting emergency services in Henry County, including the Horse Pasture Volunteer Fire Department, Horse Pasture Volunteer Rescue Squad, Fieldell Volunteer Fire Department, and the Field Heritage Group, previously serving as a driver for the Rescue Squad, currently serving on its board and leading as past president of the Henry County Emergency Services Advisory Committee. And whereas as a member of the horse pasture ruin club for more than 30 years, including four years as president, he led significant membership growth and

facility expansion and was honored with the Tom Downing award, multiple president of the year recognition and the distinction of Ruitton of the year. And whereas he has served on the citizen advisory board of camp 28, volunteered for more than 25 years with the code drive for kids, supported numerous community events, attended nearly 700 meetings of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. And I'm going to add a little part in that. that does not include budget meetings and other things that the board has called uh called on for the last 30ome years. Uh which adds greatly to that number. Um and following his retirement from Georgia Pacific founded Williams Auction Company LLC continuing his investment in the local community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Henry County Board of Supervisors hereby recognizes and congratulates Charles Williams as the 2025 recipient of the Jack Dalton Community Service Award and expresses its sincere appreciation for his lifetime of dedication, leadership, and service to Henry County. Uh this is signed um by myself, Jim Adams, chairman, Henry County Board of Supervisors. And I will accept a motion that we enter for this resolution.

So moved. Second.

Have a motion, second. All in favor. And I will ask all board members again to join me down front. You do what you got. I'll hold this one.

Smile. Two.

Thanks, sir. We'll let you speak. Family members come up. Please.

Well, first off, Jim, I've been lying to you. I was supposed to be here for Lisa Hughes's retirement. I'm supposed to be here. Deborah Buchanan was supposed to get an award for over 30 years of her coat. And I was sucker I believe. First off, let me say thank you. Thank you for the ones you voted for. A whole lot of blue jack. He was a fine gentle and to even be associated with his name is quite an honor. But sorry, we get a little emotional. Actually, the people behind me here, the people here, they're the ones that make me, they're the ones that volunteer their time. Even if they don't have it, they volunteer the time. You don't have to ask them twice. If there's something that need to be done, they do it. Um, we just got a great community. I mean, a great community and it's all about the people in the community. So, I'm just praying that we'd have more people step up, volunteer, and help out all they can. But our fire departments, our rescue squads, they need all the help they can get. So, actually, this award should go to them because they're the ones that really drive me to help them out. I do appreciate this. It's quite an

honor and I thank each and every one of you. Thank you so much. Let's get the rest of the people. Let's get the picture. Jim, get him. Hold on for just a moment. And u and all the people that are here supporting those that are supporting just gather around regardless of the amount of people here.

I got Well, he won't swing around this way. I get a couple good representation.

No video. with that. Yeah.

Is it your turn? Everyone see three, two, one. I can't see. I would would like uh to point out that we have a listing of all of our Jack Dalton Awards winners from the last number of years. And I know we have a couple of Jack Dalton Award winners here, Mr. Martin and Mr. Barnes, is he still in here? But um again, you'll see 25 names up here and Charles Man, the one that's added for uh this year.

Hey Jim, you have to give him a minute to get out the door. Okay. Um, we will go on with a agenda. Agenda item 14, we'll have a public hearing on a reasonzoning application R-26-01 for Patrick Russel. We have with us to uh give us background material on this our director of planning zoning, Mr. Lee Clark. Mr. Clark.

Okay, back to the boring stuff. Um case R2601 for Patrick Russell. This property is located at 300 Aladdin drives in the Ridgeway District. Property shown on tax map 516 is slides 59 and 61. The applicants request the reszoning of just over 10 acres from suburban residential district to agricultural district one. The applicant wishes to use the property as a hobby farm and also to allow for additional storage building. Following a public hearing, both planning commission and staff recommended approval for this request.

Okay, I will open the public hearing to take input on this uh reasonzoning application at 6:19 p.m. Is there anyone desiring to address the board on this resoning application? Yes, sir. If you will, as you're coming to the vote uh podium, I'll read a brief uh uh uh statement. Uh this is time for public comment. We welcome your participation uh into tonight's meeting. Uh we're here to listen to you. By coming to the uh podium, you will exhibit uh respect for the board, its members, and the staff. And uh we know the subject matter is this public hearing. And please try to keep your presentation to no more than 5 minutes.

Very good, sir. My name is Patrick Russ. It is my property that has been petitioned for the reselling. I've had so many people come to me and say, "What is a hobby farm?" The first thing I think was a hobby. It's a waste of time that keeps you busy when you're not doing anything else. So, I'm getting ready to retire soon. Um, and the property as it sits right now with the the residential designation, if I was to put up another building for storage of equipment or whatever, it all has to be behind my house. or behind my house is a steep hill. So that's cost prohibited for me. The property lies within the Bridgeacres community, but I'm behind that community. No one can see my house from Mountain View Street or even from the parking lot at Bridgeacres Christian Church, which I my driveway is behind that. So it's not my plan to have a pig farm. I'm not going to raise a bunch of goats. I'm not looking for work. I'm looking for a place where I can explore things in my retirement, whether it's to put up a shed for a motorcycle or a greenhouse for my wife to grow tomatoes. But with residential designation, all that has to be located behind my home. And on 10 acres, I can put a lot of things to the left of my home, to the right of my home, that's not necessarily behind. So, I'm asking for your your uh approval for me to change this to uh agriculture.

Right. Right. Thank you. Is there anyone anyone else desiring to address the board on this reszoning application? Seeing and hearing no indication as such, I will close the public hearing at 6:21. Uh Mr. Puit, this is in your district. Yes, sir. I I wrote out and looked at the uh the property. I've not heard from anyone about it. So, I make a motion to approve the reszoning request as presented.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Is 6. Uh Jennifer. Uh good luck in your retirement. Agenda item number 15, public hearing on reszoning application R-26-02 uh for the Industrial Development Authority of Henry County. Uh Mr. Clark.

Okay. This property is located on the northeast side of Reservoir Roads in the Ridgeway District. Property shown on tax map 718 is lot 51R. The applicant is requesting the reszoning of approximately 117 acres from agricultural district to industrial district I1 and the applicant intends to develop this property for industrial use. Following the public hearing both the planning commission and staff recommended approval of this request also. Um Mr. Wagner, do you have any comment on this uh application prior to uh taking a public hearing?

I'll just add that the uh 117.9 acres was purchased as part of a larger purchase of the Commonwealth Cross and Business Center, a total of 720 acres. Uh so this is the only parcel of that property that has not been zoned properly for uh industrial use. It's the industrial development authorities plan is to continue to grow and expand industry in that area and create jobs and capital investment management. I'll open the public hearing to take input on this at 6:23. Is there anyone wishing to address the board on this reasonzoning application? Seeing no indication as such, I will close the uh public hearing at 6:23. Um this is also Mr. approved on your end of town. Although it affects the entire board. Uh but um if you desire to make a motion, we'll be glad to hear it.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion to approve the reasoning request as presented. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? It is 6. Uh Jennifer, that takes us to agenda item number 16, a presentation by All Vets. Uh Mr. Wagner. All Vets is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to honor the fallen and strengthen the living by working with local veterans, community partners, and residents. All Vets President Patrick Rogers along with other members of All Vets are here to uh update the board on what's been going on with their organization. Welcome, Mr. Rogers. Thank you, Dale. So, uh, just a little bit before I get going, I've worked with Lisa for 30 years. And one thing y'all do may not know about her, Lisa was the second female engineer in the state of Virginia to work with. So anyway, like you said, my name is Patrick Rogers. I'm a United States Marine Corps veteran. I'm the president and the founder of the Henry County nonprofit all. Our mission, as Dale said, was to honor the fall and strengthen the living. And it is my privilege to present to you a yearin highlighting our organization's achievements, growth, and unwavering commitment to our mission. As you represent the citizens of Henry County, I speak to them through you. First, let me explain the name all vets. Why that name? We feel every veteran is important. No matter the branch of service, the place, the time frame in which they serve, the job in which they perform, their willingness to serve is what truly matters. We feel that every veteran has a story to tell and it deserves to be heard. We're also an organization that understands the importance of community and giving back. A strong community takes care of itself. Everything we do, all funds we raise is either directly or indirectly put back into this community. Not a nationwide stage, but here in Henry County.

Last year, our team demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience in the 2025 Memorial Ruck proved to be a tremendous success with a group of 20 individuals who carried 300 flags 25 miles across the county. Each flag representing a past veteran's memory. We had the privilege of hosting a 102year-old World War II veteran as our guest of honor. Our presentation afterward was thought out and designed to honor the fallen veterans while raising awareness for friends and families they have left behind. We're already in the process of planning the 2026 Memorial Ruck, promising that it will be another meaningful event, reminding us of sacrifices made by the few for many. We look forward to seeing you there. Our partnership moved with the YMCA and miles of Martinville flourish often um offering innovative opportunities to increase participation in in introduce new physical activities to our community. This is continuing throughout this upcoming year. Our 911 memorial stair climb fostered a strategic partnership for us with Martin Speedway. There were 200 plus participants climbed 271 steps. the equivalent of that of the Twin Towers. To remember the tragic events and acts of bravery from that day. To give people here a perspective of that turnout, Rono has held a similar event for 15 years now. They have an average of 300 people show up. This was the first and we have room to grow at the speedway. So, I ask everybody here to train up and be ready for 2026. We'd be glad to have you. Through this through this effort, we raised uh right at $12,000 which is equally divided up and donated to each of Henry Countyy's voluntary fire and rescue squads. In

2026, we hope to raise more, do the same thing with it because as the gentleman said before, uh they they're who we call when we need help at the worst time. We successfully continue our monthly walk in the park here at Jack Dalton Park where we have attendances from five sometimes if it's cold to 20 if it's warm. This program has invite veterans, family, community members to come out and join for a walk, run, roll or stroll and how this looks for you. We welcome all to join in this even if it's just for some fresh air. So please come and join us for that. We continue the salute and see card program. We have sent out over a thousand greeting cards to veterans last year. And we send cards on Valentine's Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Christmas holidays. If you know a veteran of any age, please provide us, find one of us, provide us their information so we can include them. We touch more people with that than we do anybody. We successfully established the very first Henry County Veterans Honor Trail. It was 100% funded and maintained by organization. We honored 121 living veterans with plans to expand this initiative in the upcoming year. So we won't if you know a veteran, we need their name, their information so we can make them a sign and add to this. You know, we had a lot around that trail this year. We'd like to have twice as many next year. all um give it this gives all our local veterans and families some much needed recognition and appreciation with no cost to them. And in 2026, we look to make it bigger and better. With these advancing programs, we have been able to help local veterans on many occasions financially with housing assistance, relocation assistance, resources, and medical financial relief. I extend a heartfelt thanks to every

person, group, organization, and individual. and to Henry County for its steadfast voluntary support, hard work, and trust. Our small but mighty team continues to set a positive example in the community, demonstrated integrity, reliability, and importance of backing words with actions. Our mission will carry forward in 2026 with ambitious plans and innovative ideas to further accomplish our mission, keeping our veterans close to our hearts and mind. Our work serves an exceptional group within our community, one we are all connected to in some way. A group that through hard work and sacrifice has helped build and defend this great nation. Through our efforts, we ensure that our organization will thrive and that all veterans are honored and remembered while keeping our fellow Americans aware of the of the cost that was made to make it all possible, even if they don't fully comprehend the cost itself. We also strive to keep veterans both active and physically, both physically and mentally, keeping them strong for their future. So, thank you for your support, your dedication, and your continued commitment to our shared mission. And most of all, thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Rogers. I don't know how we can top that. and I've uh been on the uh one end of the other of of a couple of your events last year, the event in May and the event where I think they had pictures of veterans all the way around the track and certainly quite an honor uh uh to

the men and women that have served our locality and uh I appreciate everything that you while we're doing it. That takes us to agenda item 17, matters presented by the public. Do we have anyone wishing to address the board under matters presented by the public? I see one hand. Um just come up if you will state your name uh district in which you live and um try to keep your presentation to under five minutes.

My name is David Craig. I'm from the Blackberry district and uh first of all I'd like to thank the all because I was one in the U honor trail.

So I would thank you for that. Um first is uh since V dot's here is leave early uh on Creed Road and this is in the Blackberry district road and just before you get HT court the road is dangerous but the way the road come it comes up then it curves back. It's two new residences there. It's been three or four accidents there in the last several months and the cars end up over in the yard and stuff. So, uh, you know, with these new residents there, I don't know if they got children or not. I know the one down below that does and, uh, I really hate to see a child out there in the yard playing and something happened to them. Uh, so, and that's Chris Ridge Road, uh, near Helm Stock Court, which would be before you get to the ridge store. Uh on another item, uh vape shops. I I would say right now I do not want vape shops in town. Do not want any more in Blackberry district. Um the um and as far as the vape shops is concerned, uh you got um and it falls back on this trash and grass issue which I heard him mention when we was at the uh um meeting for the uh uh information meeting for property taxes. Uh he mentioned the trash and grass and I know that most the the property owners that I know that live on their property are are clean people. They do not contribute to trash. It's the it's the others. And um the trash that I've seen and I've been

helping out pick up trash for years now. It's it's cheap beer. It's cigarettes. And on Wheeler Core, we picked up like two bags of just McDonald's stuff. They eat McDonald's and they'll come right there at that stoplight stop sign just throw stuff out. Uh I don't think that it's fair that the property owners that live in the county uh has to be taxed their tax dollars goes towards the cleanup of that. I think that the that the tax should be generated by uh something done at the at the these convenience stores and the vape shops where the trash is actually generated from be a local tax on that. Um and um years ago I I grew up in this county and years ago we used to have dumpsters located at various locations around and it didn't seem to be as bad of a problem as trash on the side of the road and stuff. Uh, so I was wondering if we could do like a pilot program or something where we put a dumpster at at the a convenience store or something like that so that people don't have to travel as far to to throw their trash out. Um and and because like I said, when you go around when you're around a community store, you you'll see the more trash around those areas and also in the areas where it's no residents, people take advantage of the wooded areas and throw trash out of that. Um and and also on the uh um the taxes. Um, so we got a motor a motor vehicle fee and registration tax and from my year alone was $104. And then we got people out here that just drive around, no registration, no license, suspended license. And when they get uh pulled over, they get a a

$25 fine and a $25 cost, which way exceeds the the amount that I'm having to put in to be legalized to drive on the roads here. So, I think that we should look into, you know, upping the fine for these people. Um, and oh, and the the the the big one is the parking in the fire lane. And I've seen them in all of them in the Ridgeway district is the worst one. That food line all through there. People just park right there in it. If you if we just find those people, I think we gen we generate $10,000 probably on that right there. I mean, and and they're they're rude. Yeah. I'll get out and I'll sell them. I said, "Look, this is a fire lane." And yeah, I know. Or or what do you the parking lot police? I had one person, he was a younger fellow. He parked in there and I went to him. I asked him, "What is emergency?" He said, "What do you mean?" I said, "Well, this is a fire lane." And they'll park right under the sign. I said, "Well, this is a fire lane. It's emergency parking." He said, "Well, I'm sorry. I won't do it again." So, I had one polite person about it, but the Ridgeway District, the the food line Ridgeway, that one is the worst one. The one in Stanley Town is next. And then you got the one in um Oak Level, which is not bad at all. That one seems like, you know, it's really good about that. But um that's uh you know, my observation and opinions and suggestions and I thank y'all for listening to me.

Thank you. So, anyone else uh wishing to address the board under matters presented by the public? Anyone else? Okay, that takes us to agenda item 18. If uh someone uh will make a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. Have a motion. Second. All in favor? All right, everyone. Have a good evening.