Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

got Verizon time showing us 3:00. So, I'd like to call the January 6th meeting of the board of supervisors to order. I'd like to ask Mr. Reggie Williams, if you would lead us in prayer, please, sir. Uh, second of silence, you know, for the ones that we know that deceased in the past year. Let us all pray. Father God, it's once again you have brought us safely to this place. It's a whole new year, Father. But we recognize that we know it's nothing new under the sun, [clears throat] Father. But we pray once again, Father. We all praying that the things and the decisions we have to make that we won't be selfish, Father, but we'll be honest so we can do the best things for all the citizens of this county, whether they women, men, the old and the young. Father, we pray that we don't be selfish. Father, we pray that we understand, Father, that we all don't have to be right, but then understanding and being a bigger person, Father, to understand the things that we do and the things that we say we could defend somebody. So now, Father, as we go on in this meeting to this afternoon, Father, be with us. Just strengthen us. make us to be godly lack, Father, understanding that we all have sin and come short to the glory of God. But once

again, Father, we abide within you, your rules and your regulations, Father, that we be good and we pray that we all say, Father, we love you in Jesus name. We all do pray. Amen. Amen. Very good. That's the way to start the new year off. Uh Chen Hammond, would you lead us in the prayer uh in the pledge of allegiance, please? Pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor and a privilege for the county administrator to open up the first meeting of the year and very quickly try to get this out of his hand uh and call for the election of chairman. So with I think that's the first year Wayne I've ever done that right. Got the prayer and pledge done. Yeah. So last one's the best. Uh with that I'd like to call for the election of chairman [snorts] for Middle Sex Board of Supervisors for year 2026. Roll call. I don't go. I [laughter] jinxed it by looking at Wayne. All right, let's do the roll call. [laughter]

He was waiting for me to do it. I never got one right. [laughter] Mr. Williams, present. Mr. Bill Harris, present. Mr. Kittinden here. Mr. Jesse, here. Mr. Don Harris, here. It's big bold letters, too. I've missed. Okay. Now, let's call for the election of chairman for the Middle Sex Board of Supervisors 2026. I'd like to nominate Don Harris. Are there is there a second for Don Harris? Second. Okay. Any other nominations? Hearing none, we'll close the floor for nominations. Let's take uh let's call I guess the question for Don. All those in favor of Don for chairman.

Well, let's do a roll call. Roll call. Roll call on that one. Ch. Mr. Bill Harris. Yes. Mr. Kittinden. Yes. Mr. Jesse. Yes. Mr. Williams. Yes. Mr. Don Harris. [laughter] I accept the nomination. We didn't ask you if you accepted it, but you're voted in. Right. [laughter] Congratulations. Let me turn this over to you and good luck to you for the upcoming year and to the board.

Thank you. Okay. Um to to finish uh where we are um motion for vice chair would be in order. Make a motion for Mr. Williams to uh presside as vice chair. And is there a second? I'll second it. Motion made by Mr. Bill Harris, second by Mr. Je Jesse. Roll call, please. Mr. Kittinden. Yes. Mr. Jesse. Yes.

Mr. Bill Harris. Yes. Mr. Don Harris. Yes. Motion's approved. Thank you, Reggie, for accepting that. Okay, moving right along. Um item D, establish time and place of regular meetings. Um is there a consensus to continue with where we are which is regular meetings being held here and time frame being start at 3:00? Yes sir. Everybody in consensus for that? Uh

yes, Mr. Chairman. So, if the board members will look on your packet on page two, there's a list of the proposed meeting dates, and it would be appropriate uh to adopt that by motion, please. If if that's the board's pleasure. [clears throat] And real quick, Mr. Chairman, we were blessed in this year, we didn't have to move any because of spring break or holidays. Everything just fell really nicely with the exception of election day. And it's our custom to move that to the following Wednesday or to the next Wednesday which we've done. What page did you say? Oh yeah. Okay. Page two, right?

I would like to make a motion that we approve the uh 2026 board of supervisor regular meeting schedule. Second. Motion made by Mr. Jesse. Second by Mr. Kittinen. September 1st isn't a holiday. I don't believe so. Yeah. Labor Day falls on the um fourth. No, it's it's the next week. Yeah. The 7th. Okay. Yep. Okay. Tuesday being the first of the month. Labor Day is always the first Monday. So, it's the seventh. September. Okay.

Looking at the calendar. Yeah. I thought that was odd, too, but the first day of September is that Tuesday. Yeah. Labor Day is on the 7th. Yep. Yeah. So, no. Yeah. It was a It was weird how the year felt. Yeah. So, we need to change. Okay. So, there's a u a motion on the table to accept the regular meeting schedule. Roll call, please. Mr. Jesse. Yes, Mr. Williams. Yes, Mr. Bill Harris. Yes, Mr. Kittinden. Yes, Mr. Don Harris. Yes. Motion's approved.

Okay. Also, I'll call your attention to the 2026 committee approve uh appointments or committee uh selections. And it pretty much is the same as last year. Um, is everybody okay with uh with where you are in committee assignments? Okay. Um, I don't know that we need a motion for that, do we, Miss Attorney? We do.

Okay. We need a motion for the 2026 committee appointments uh selected by chair and um can I ask that we add to that and send appropriate um correspondence to these people because for example VIPA requires a written letter from the board approving me. So and as does one other I think it's the juvenile detention commission but several of them require letters from the board. So if we could add that to the motion. We'll add that to the motion. Yeah, I think the jail too. So moved. So moved by Mr. Krennon. Second.

Second by Mr. Bill Harris. Um before I call for roll call on that. Uh and that periodically may change with person everybody's set of circumstances which we could do that uh and uh add it later. So roll call please. Mr. Williams. Yes. Mr. Bill Harris. Yes. Mr. Kittinden. Yes. Mr. Jesse. Yes. Mr. Don Harris.

Yes. Motion's approved. Okay. Moving down to item two, approval of the consent agenda. Um, I'm going to ask Miss Lewis, you have some addition to that.

Uh, yes, Mr. Chairman. I believe there are two additions. One might be a correction to the minutes, but I believe Mr. Harris is going to address that. The item that's been brought to my attention that I would ask the board to consider adding to the the consent agenda, please, is an addition to the closed session. So, that would be um subsection 11B would be added. And specifically, this will be to address the acquisition of property and the disposition of county-owned property in closed session. So that'll be two closed sessions, one to talk about personnel and the other to talk about property.

Correct. Um Okay. And with the addition uh of the minutes which I think uh Mr. Chairman, I have something I think too there. Okay. Uh I have a correction on December 2nd minutes. It's on page Oh, your mic mic. They can't hear you, sir. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I believe there's a correction needed on um the December 2nd minutes. The uh I believe the correction has been made now. Is that right? Um what it was, I made a motion and it looked like the paper must got cut off or something like that and there wasn't any second written on there and it wasn't any vote attached. I think something happened with the paper was printed, but um staff got right on it and got it corrected,

but I think I needed to bring that up though. Yes. Thank you for doing that. that should be that will be included in the approval of the consent agenda of the change of the minutes for December 2nd and also the addition um to the uh close session. Anything else? Then a motion would be in order to approve the consent agenda. So move. So moved by Mr. Bill Harris. Second it. Second by Mr. Jesse. Thank you. Roll call, please. Mr. Bill Harris, yes. Mr. Kittinden, yes. Mr. Jesse, yes. Mr. Williams, yes. Mr. Don Harris,

yes. The consent agenda is approved with the additions. Okay, moving on right along to uh item number three, which is a public comment section. I'm going to open the floor now for any public comments. Do you have anybody? Miss Ann Marie, I do not. There's no submissions.

Anyone like to speak? Seeing none, I'll close the public comment section and we'll move to item four, constitutional officers. You have a treasurer report, which is pages 43 to 47. Any comments? Seeing none, hearing none, I'm going to move to uh item B under constitutional officers uh commissioner of revenue report only page 48. Any questions, discussion? Seeing none, I'll move to item five, agency and staff report. You have a VDOT report only which lists some of the things that's going to be done in the county. Any discussions? Seeing none, I'll move to item B, school matters. Dr. Sites and Miss Murray. Welcome, ladies. at all. Thank you, Kevin. All right. Good afternoon. We have on page 51, I believe it is, in your packet, a budget supplement request, and that is for a grant that we received from the Virginia Department of Education for restraint and seclusion um training. It's for some of our administrators and special education teachers.

Questions to Dr. Sykes. Seeing none, a motion would be in order. So moved to accept the So moved by Mr. Randy Kitten. Second it. Second by [clears throat] Mr. Jesse. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Krennen, yes. Mr. Jesse, yes. Mr. Williams, yes. Mr. Bill Harris, yes. Mr. Dawn Harris, yes. The motion is approved.

All right. The second thing we have is not anything for an approval, but it's to give you an update on a a CIP item. In our current FY26, we had um HVAC replacement systems for the high school cafeteria. Once we went back to the vendor that supplied us that amount, it was for significantly more. And so we removed it paper-wise off of our CIP plan for this year, which left the money remaining, the $80,000, which would stay with the county. Right before Christmas, we had an issue though with our hot water tank at the elementary school where it um bit the dust and we needed an emergency procurement of the of the tank there. I reached out to Mr. Walker, believe he reached out to you, chairman. Um, and that was in the amount of $36,5686. We got bids for that and it was took the lowest bid and it was installed over the Christmas break. So, there was no disruption to any of the school hours or school day. So, it's it's more of an an information to let the board know that we did not use the money that was allotted for HVAC because it ended up it was not enough money and we'll be adding that to the FY27 CIP, but that we had this item that popped up as an emergency uh procurement that was needed. So, I'm happy to answer any questions on that.

Any questions? All right, I think we're good. Okay, great. If there are no other questions, then I do have another question. Of course. Yes, sir. Give me a give me a quick uh explanation of how the governor's budget is looking.

So, I will say that Karen and I are cautiously optimistic on what that looks like for Middle Sex County Public Schools. Our LCI did decrease a little bit which is good. Some of my neighbors are experiencing an increase. We are seeing a lower enrollment. Um but with the increase that we're seeing on the LCI change and some other things to basic aid. Right now the governor's budget has a 2% salary increase in it. Of course that's always for SOQ funded positions and it runs through our L our LCI. Um so we are looking at probably more funding than we received this past year from the state. Of course we know that this governor governor will leave office next weekend. Uh given that we are looking at a Democratic House and Senate and a Democratic governor, we think and this just really may be our opinion that we would not see significant changes that would reduce our funding. We just literally walked out of a con or a two-day conference in Richmond, which was a superintendent combined with the school business officials conference. Jim Revival presented to us and I know Mr. Walker knows who he is and kind of looked at the governor's budget and forecast. There's there's a $2 billion cash surplus at the state level, but the legislators are being a little bit cautious in how they're going to use some of those funds because of the additional Medicaid costs that are coming to Virginia. I understand that those costs continue to increase to the point where they could be costing the state about the same as what the state pays on um for school funding. Across the state, schools are seeing a reduction in ADM and so that is a lesser cost to the state and so I guess that

benefits us in some way. There could be some additional funding the state has to pay for the SNAP benefits. So that's a supplemental nutrition program if if Virginia is not able to lower that that error percentage. The state potentially could have to pick up 270 million on that. And so there's a little bit of we're waiting to see how some of these things shake out. They had a federal update yesterday from the federal advocacy person and she believes that we can plan on the school side of things not to have to make any cuts to what we receive f federally. There had been some talk about title two and title three funds that were cut and four which which is not a significant amount for us under 100,000. Yeah, still it could be you know that much money. She believed that and made the recommendation for schools to continue with that same amount of funding that we've received in the past. Does not believe that there will be significant cuts there. So, like I said, we're cautiously optimistic that we will receive some additional funding from the state and that our federal funding would would maintain where it is. We will see though.

Refresh my memory. How does all of that of what you just said impact your submittal for your budget for this current year? Um,

so it's a it's it's a long se the general assembly long in long session this year and so I think they end mid-Marchch and we submit to you by the end of March. We have to submit to you by April 1st before April 1st our budget requests the general assembly will close I think it's March 16th. We are hoping and I know hope is not a strategy but we are hoping that the general assembly will end with a budget with some of the some of the partners lined up and we'll cross fingers now and so at that point when the general assembly does close we will use what has been if they've not settled on a budget we will use what the general assembly has proposed combined with what already is in the current bannual budget that the governor has proposed this time and any changes that we know the new governor will make and try to give you the probably the the one that has the least amount of funding to us so that it wouldn't get worse, it would only get better. If that makes sense.

It does. Uh last question I have. Uh you said your enrollment is down. Out of the three schools, is one prevalent to any of the others? It was our kindergarten class that was less than what we projected. We use a five-year average for that and don't know why, but this year there were about 20 or 25 less kindergarteners. Gotcha.

Yeah. We had a couple of families that were um moved back to their home countries and that took about seven kids out of our enrollment. So when I say down, if we're looking at 35 students, something like that, it it you know, it's a budgetary impact to us, but it could be a couple of families in a in a smaller grade level there. Thank you. Any other questions for Dr. Sykes? Yeah, I got one question. I know you say LCI, but that's a composite index, right? Right. Okay. Did you say that went up or down? It went down. Okay. Slightly down for us, but it's a but a positive impact. Yeah, I know Matthews County went up. Lancaster is already at the max. Um, one of my colleagues,

Richmond County is up. My colleague in Nelson County is losing over a million dollars with their change in the LCI. [clears throat] Yeah. So, we we the the stars are shining over Middle Sex County right [laughter] now. I know, right? Everybody knock on all the wood and keep saying those prayers and and [clears throat] and everything. So, like we said, we're cautious, but looking better than it has in the past. Okay, wonderful. Thank you, ladies. Appreciate you coming today. Yep.

Have a good day. Item number two is uh CIP funds for FY26 discussion. I think that was it. I think that was it. That was it. We're good.

Yeah. Okay. All right. Moving right along. Let's go to regular agenda items. Number 6A, PPE grant award, uh, letter acceptance. Mr. Layman, pages 5455. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Middle Sex County received a uh 2026 personal protective equipment grant through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs in the amount of $60,532.96. This grant when we wrote it, we asked for 16 sets of uh turnout gear, the full ensemble, which includes turnout coat, bumper pants, boots, helmet, protective protective [clears throat] hood, and gloves. um to uh so four sets would go to each of our volunteer fire departments to uh assist them with replacing aging gear. Um this grant when [clears throat] I wrote the grant, I wrote it where we Middle Sex County would contribute $1,000 per set uh as a match. I have that money in already in my budget in the grant match uh meals tax grant match and I would ask tonight or this afternoon that you approve this grant and um approval and acceptance of this grant for their volunteer fire departments

questions. The $16,000 match that the U county needs to come up with. You already have it in your budget. I'm not asking for any additional funds. Right. And we did confirm that. I mean, your finance department did confirm that he had the money. Just as an aside, you were there when we confirmed it. Yep. Okay. If uh there's no further questions, um a motion would be in order to approve uh the PPE grant award. Also move. So moved by Mr. Jesse.

Second. Second by Mr. Bill Harris. Any other discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Jesse. I. Mr. Williams? Yes. Mr. Bill Harris? Yes. Mr. Kittinden? Yes. Mr. Don Harris? Yes. Motion's approved. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Layman. Mr. Chairman, if I may, just real quick. Yep. Dave, you're doing an outstanding job with these grants, and I want to commend you for it. You've really brought a lot of money into the community and we really appreciate it. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you.

Okay. Uh, just give me a second, please.

Okay, no problem. Thank you.

[clears throat]

Okay. Item 6B under regular agenda items, uh, fee waiver for Habitat for Humanity, uh, for the new dwelling, pages 56- 61.

Do that. Um, what we've got here is the Habitat for Humanity apparently back in 2021 requested that their entire subdivision have their fees waved for these six lots in their subdivision. According and they've done four of these properties so far. According to the building department, that waiver, that permit fee waiver expired. I don't know how it expired, but regardless, they've asked for this um permit fee, which is $471.50, and the next one go ahead and be waved. Since we do traditionally wave the um Habitat for Humanity permit fees, we request that we do these next two homes to complete the subdivision um for Middle Sex County residents. So, that's all it is. It's a waiver of two homes.

Where is this located? It is by the Catholic Church. That area by the Catholic Church off General Polar Highway. That general vicinity. Any further discussion or questions for Mr. Ricardi? Seeing none, a motion would be ordered to to uh approve the reduction of um uh the fees for Habitat for Humanity.

Yeah, I I'll make that motion. We w the fees for the Habitat. Motion for the waiver of fees by Mr. Jesse. Second. Second by Mr. Kittin. We're doing it for two houses, right? That's correct. Yes. Yep. Okay. Uh, seeing no further discussion. Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Williams? Yes. Mr. Bill Harris? Yes. Mr. Kittinden? Yes. Mr. Jesse? I. Mr. Don Harris.

Yes. Motion for the waiver of the fees for Habitat for Humanity is approved. Next item, item C, surplus items, pages 62 to 63. Um, I can start this, but um with the with the construction of the new airport terminal, the staff has determined that there will no longer be a use for the current terminal building. We've included some photos of it. Um, and what our plan is, and hopefully this hasn't changed, is to salvage whatever's needed into the new building. Um, for example, there might be chairs or something they could reuse, miniature, uh, refrigerators or something they can reuse. Anything else we will put on gov deals. Any of the furniture fixtures that isn't transferred into the new building, we'll either, um, put it on gov deals or offer it to another county department. The stuff that I've seen in there, unfortunately, I don't see much. there's not going to be people beating down the doors for their items. Um so we'll put it on gov deals and what doesn't sell we'll um dispose of properly. Then the final part of that is offer the empty building on gov deals. Um noting that the facility it's a double wide right.

It's a double wide that brought into the county if I understood correctly. In fact, well it was at rapic central when I was going through high school and we got it used then. [clears throat] So then the 94 95 time frame it got transferred up to the airport. So this thing is well past it useful life and this is the only surplus item we're talking about. Well, we're the entire facility. So the facility and its contents. Yes, that's all I'm getting rid of. That's a lot. Um and again I if it doesn't sell on gov deals, which I've never sold a building on gov deals, uh we'll have to work on demoing it. Well, I may be premature, but Miss Lewis, continue.

And Mr. Barber has already said since the road for the new parking lot will go right through the middle of that building, he has already planned on having to demolish it and move it away as part of his time. Okay. I'm under the impression though that the museum in Deltavville had said that they would be interested in a Yeah, there may be some zoning issues there. [laughter] I will defer to the planning director. Yeah. Uh, well, I won't put him on the spot, but it's a manufactured home and it's I think the Maritime Museum has zowned residential, so we don't know if that will work. Okay.

So, at this point, we're looking for a motion to um surplus this item and put it on what is it called? Go something. Gov deals. Sorry. Declare the old terminals and the contents to be surplus. Authorizing staff to sell the building and any remaining contents. A motion would be in order for that. So move second. So moved by Mr. Bill Harris, seconded by Mr. Jesse. Any further discussion or questions? Seeing none, uh, roll call on the motion, please. Mr. Bill Harris, yes. Mr. Kittenden, yes. Mr. Jesse, I. Mr. Williams? Yes. Mr. Don Harris?

Yes. Motion's approved. Thank you. Oh, the next one's me. Is it you? Who are you? Okay. Uh, citizens. Mr. Ricardi, you back on on the hot seat uh for citizens appointments. I am, but I think that um if I Chen's going to tell me something. So, they're up for term. I did speak with them one by email, one by phone. They want to be okay.

So, we do have two. So, the ED, let's start with the building, the board of zoning appeals. Um, we don't have anybody on that. The EDA, we've got two representatives that, um, their terms expire on January 30th. That would be Doug McMman and Halley Holmes. And both of them have indicated they would they would request to be reappointed. That's a good thing. We'd like that done tonight so that they can continue on as their roles of EDA. Um, in addition, we did want to make note that you have a vacant position on the wetlands advisory board. Am I supposed Is that what my notes are supposed to say, Dave?

Right. The wetlands advisory board. This was you though. Didn't you want to bring up something about the wetlands advisory board having a citizens vacancy? Yeah. Yes, please. Yeah. There's been Thanks, Dave.

There's been a recent development with our wetlands board. Uh I Wayne, I believe you're aware that John has stepped down for the board. Uh just the uh I believe it was yesterday it came in Wesley Dazzle who was our longtime chairman uh for the wetlands board has stepped he's stepped off effective immediately. So, it's left two vacancies. So, looking at looking at our uh we've had this discussion before for this board in district out of district type of thing. It looks to me just looking at the little narrative we have in our, you know, looking at where everybody's positioned, it looks like everybody's properly in district. You have uh current, you know, Wesley would be for uh Ry's district. Uh Chris Brewington's for bills. Uh you're losing John and I'm not sure if uh if there's one for Don's district and I believe uh Reggie has Monica covered for her district. So um trying to remember the other

we have an alternate.

We have an alternate. So the long and short of this is we do have an alternate that has been participating. Man, a gentleman by the name of Mike Endorf lives actually in Bill's district. So that would be if he was elevated to a permanent position, you would actually have two two in your district. So it would have to be with if you wanted to do that, it would have to be with a concurrence of this board to elevate that alternate up to the permanent position. So, that's you could uh you could take a month and discuss it and think about it or you could take action. I spoke with the gentleman this morning. He said he is willing to move up to a permanent position if it's the board's will. So, uh I I don't know what y'all's will is on this. The the wetlands board doesn't serves a more technical function, I'd say, than maybe the planning commission. I mean, there the plan I I don't think you ever want to go that with your planning commission. you're going to want your two members uh on your in your district to represent your philosophies and ideas going forward and represent your district. But the wetlands board is like I said more of a technical board. I don't think there's any uh it's it's not a you know politically charged in any direction that you know it's more of a look at the application and [cough] follow the [clears throat] law kind of thing. So it's it's the board's choice whatever how they want to approach it. the gentleman you spoke of, he has contacted me several times and he would like to help Middle Sex in any kind of way. He's willing to donate his time. I think he's very sincere.

Yeah, he is. He seems like a very nice person and has been uh participating uh every every meeting and going through all the processes. So, it's it's basically uh it would be one of the other members that would have to give up that that position to you know you would have double up in Harfield District. That's the only thing. So just just putting that out there for food for thoughts type thing. [clears throat] So Mr. Bill Harris, you're okay with moving that alternate to a permanent position?

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I think we've um spoke on some of these appointments before and we all kind of felt that we someone on the board needed to sit down and meet with him and talk to him before we did things. And I have sat down and talked with him as well as um emailed back and forth. I think it was a phone call. So, like I say, he is really interested in trying to help Middle Sex any way he can. Okay. So, with that, I'll ask you to make the motion to move him uh from an alternate position to a permanent position. Uh providing everybody's okay with that. Uh do we want to discuss loading up one area more than others? Yeah, that that's something that the other board members would want to be involved. Yeah. All the board members. I think it need to be spreaded out a little bit. If it can't find nobody, then you know, yeah,

we can look at moving them up, but I think it shouldn't be divided evenly because now you have two in one district. You're correct. And you know, and I'm I'm the Jamaica district, so I really wouldn't want somebody from your district representing, you know, when they going for the wetlands up in my apartment when we can kind of spread it out if we don't find anybody. But I think we need to look at that first. Okay. So at this so at this point it might be prudent for us to hold off on that action until there's been some more discussion amongst the board as well. It

it may be your only alternative in the end but maybe you do discuss you know just give it a little time to there's they currently have three members so they do have a long as everybody shows up they have a quorum so five member board. So the so the one the one district that would not be represented be Pinetop. Is that right? Um was Mr. Doza. You you're losing Yeah, that would be correct. You're losing that particular member. Yes, sir. Yeah. West Virginia, West Virginia.

Years ago, the board considered giving that function back to BMRC as a state. And I think the election of the board at the time was we continue to have that wetlands board meet locally as a convenience for our, you know, waterfront construction contractors because if we didn't have the wetlands board here, all the cases would go to VMRC by default. And you got to you lose a day going down there and going to those hearings.

Yeah. So it's it's a it's been a convenience for the citizens and the contractors local local contractors. So but it is a very uh labor intensive proc uh portion of our department and it's become more so when I did it. Uh it was it was simpler. They've added living shorelines and some of these vetting uh mechanisms to make sure that you're you've exhausted all avenues before you put some type of hardened shoreline in. So, there's a little bit more to it than it was 101 15 years.

It is becoming increasingly challenging finding uh competent people to put on boards and commissions. So, anytime anyone ever comes to complain, compliment, or question, I ask them, "Hey, have you thought about serving, here's a citizen interest form. We'd love to have you participate." Uh, so anything y'all can do, reach out to your friends, loved ones, brother-in-laws, churchgoers, what, whatever. Try to get some people interested. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Caretsz, for the information. We'll uh take that under advisement. Yes, sir. Thank you. Okay, let's finish up uh where we are. Uh

I at least need the motion to reappoint the recruits for the EDA. Yes. Uh Doug McMahon and Hley Holmes. Yes. Yes, please. I'd like to make a motion to reappoint uh Doug McMahon to the Economic Development Authority and Haley Holmes reappoint to the Economic Development Authority. Second

motion made by Mr. Bill Harris to um approve uh Doug McBen and Haley Holmes uh for their next uh uh participation on the EDA and second by Mr. Kittinen. Any further discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. Mr. Kittinden. Yes. Mr. Jesse. Hi. Mr. Williams. Yes, Mr. Bill Harris. Yes, Mr. Don Harris. Yes. Motion's approved. And I assume somebody will let them know.

Wonderful. Thank you. Okay, moving right along. Um, administrator updates. Uh, cigarette tax, uh, report only, page 65. discussion or questions. Moving right along. Uh st

I do have one additional uh item under administrator's report. Mr. chairman. Uh, as the board is aware, we held a public hearing last month on potentially selling the Paradise Lane property and the board voted after conducting that public hearing to sell the the property to the offerer. Uh, the very next day, however, the real estate agent representing the interested party withdrew their offer. Um, and uh, I think it was reported in the paper that the board voted to sell the property and had indeed sold it. Uh, we and I did not call the paper and let them know that that offer had been withdrawn. So, I'm going to take ownership responsibility of that. I talked to Larry. I think they're going to be working on a a new article. But wait, Larry, there's more. As of this morning, we have received another offer on the property. So, we'll be discussing that offer, I think, tonight in close session. and um we'll we'll see what we do with that one, but we would need to hold another public hearing. So, anytime we want to pursue or accept an offer, it's going to require a public hearing. So, the saga continues and that's all I have, Mr. Chairman.

Um I do have something more under administrative updates when you're done with that, please. Um, this is minor, but every year the board does approve, this is in your budget, um, to purchase a Mardigrad table for the Kowanas annual Mardigra fundraiser. The Mardigra table this year is up in price. Last year was 750. This year it's $1,000 for the minimum table. Holds eight people. The Mardigra is going to be held February 28th, 2026 at the same place as last year. Um, but I would just I guess I would like for confirmation that the board would like to continue even though the price went up that you would like for me to continue with that acquisition of one table. February 28th, 2026.

And each table holds eight seats, right? Mhm. Uh, any further questions? Then a motion would be ordered to u empower an Marie Ricardi to uh pursue that. I'll make that motion. Be made a motion by Wayne Jesse. Second. Second by Mr. Kitten. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Jesse. I. Mr. Williams. Yes. Mr. Bill Harris. Yes. Mr. Kittinden. I. Mr. Don Harris. I.

Thank you. Motion's approved. So, you can lock down the table for us. Yes, sir. Thank you. It is February 28th, 2026. Um, and I will get you all a flyer of information so you'll know exactly what it's all about. All right. And tell me who's the current acting president. Greg Chambers. Greg Chambers. Yes. Who's the past president? Me. I knew that. [laughter] That's why I asked the question. But Greg Chambers is the president. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh, item number eight, uh, county attorney update. Nothing outside my staff report, Mr. Chairman. Say that again. Nothing new.

Nothing new other than your staff report. Yes, sir. Okay. Uh, unfinished and new business. Okay. Seeing none, um I'm going to move down to matters presented by the board. I'll start with Mr. Jesse. I'm I'm good. You good? Yeah, I'm good. Okay. Mr. Krennan,

uh just a couple things. Uh we haven't had any committee meetings this month uh to to attend, but I did tour the new airport terminal yesterday with Richard Lewis and Jamie Barnhart. Very impressive building. And um I was also able to see the property, the extent of the property on the uh north side of the runway. And uh talked about some other projects that could be considered there in the future. And um that's about it.

Uh I also uh have done a tour and I think uh you'll the rest of you guys will get a call from probably Richard to see if you want to go down. It it does look really nice. Uh and um I was pretty impressed with uh what's been done, how it's being done, and uh adhering to time frame. So Good. Yep. Uh, that's all I have. Mr. Harris, I have a couple questions. Maybe I don't think I don't know if we'll be able to answer right here or not.

I have a couple questions as I look through our packet under the um Middle Sex existing capital facilities. I see a piece of property that's um 3.4 acres. It's land at Oak. That's adjacent to the high school. It's something maybe in the future I wouldn't mind just maybe getting our GIS person take a look at that see just where it is listed separately

any we spend time on it now but that is something I don't know I wouldn't taking a look at I'm not I'm not aware of that where that is either I'd be curious to know that as well thank you [clears throat] uh Mr. Williams. I don't have anything. Okay, moving right along. Item number 10. I'm going to open the public comment section. Anyone wishing to speak. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public comment. And a motion would be in order for uh and I'll let uh county attorney make the motion for going into close session, please.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. So, uh, we will be meeting in this room. I do not know if we will take action, but nevertheless, we will resume the meeting at 700 p.m. So, if we do, we can notify everybody of that action at the 7 p.m. meeting. But with that, Mr. Chairman, it would be appropriate for the board to make a motion to convene in close session pursuant to a couple of code sections 2.2-3711 A1 and A3 and A8. This is so the board can have a discussion regarding personnel matters specifically about filling the county administrator's position and second to discuss the acquisition of and the disposition of county-owned property where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining the county's bargaining position and so that the board may consult with legal counsel about specific legal matters questions and procedures about the acquisition of property for a public purpose and the disposition of county-owned property.

So move. So moved by Mr. Jesse. Second. Second by Mr. Bill Harris. Any further questions or discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. Mr. Williams. Yes. Mr. Bill Harris. Yes. Mr. Kittinden. Yes. Mr. Jesse. Hi. Mr. Don Harris. Yes. So we we are we will enter into close session. of