Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

A little volume here. Thank you, sir. All right. Let's see. This is this is a great day and a great opportunity for all of us in this room to celebrate and experience something really wonderful in our midst. We have with us this evening Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Dorothy Neal that we're going to celebrate. They have had 70 years of wedding bliss. Yeah, you can go ahead. So I'm going to ask Mr. Neals, Mrs. Neals, would you come on up? And I'm going to read this certificate of recognition to you, if I can get it out. I'll do it.

70, yeah.

Miss Niels is still active in terms of the Civic League. Mr. Niels, he served on the school board, and we just appreciate this wonderful couple. They're still lovely. All right, let's see, we'll get pictures here in just a second. Certificate of recognition, the Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes and congratulates Robert and Dorothy Neal in celebration of their seventh wedding anniversary. Since their marriage on July 7th, 1956, Robert and Dorothy have exemplified a lifetime of love, faith, and devotion, service to one another, to their church, and their community. After meeting as students at St. Paul's College, HBCU, in 1951, they began a journey that has spanned seven decades, building a life together rooted in Christian values, unwavering commitment, and a shared dedication to serving others. The board commends their many years of faithful service to the Bethel Baptist Church where both have served in numerous leadership roles, as well as Dorothy's leadership as president of the Den River Blair Civic League. Their dedication to education, youth development, public service, and their community positively impact countless lives throughout the region. Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors extends its heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable milestone and wishes you, Mr. and Mrs. Neal, continued health, happiness, and God's abundant blessings in the years to come. Robert and Dorothy Neal, given this 21st day of July, 2026, William Vick Ingram, Vice Chair, Robert M. Tucker, Jr., Chairman of the Board.

Thank you, Mike. Thank you. If you want to hear from the city, maybe you want to join us for this meal. It's been a pleasure to have you here.

I'd like to say good evening, everyone. We thank you for coming. We cannot express our gratitude to the Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors, seven good men who recognize Dorothy and I for our 70th anniversary. One of the staff members called me earlier this week and said, what single thing can you think of that put you guys together? And I told her that back in 1951, most of it was at St. Paul's Polytechnic Institute, but now it has become a college. I was there one year before Dorothy and I was a student counselor. And our job was to lead the freshman class when they came in. And so at St. Paul's, which was an agricultural college, they had corn on the farm. And so it just behooves me to take an ear of corn and peel it and throw a little kernel of corn at this beautiful young lady. who happened to be from Pennsylvania County, she was wondering, who's that? Who's that? And so we met some 75 years ago, but it's been a glorious journey. Only the blessings of God has led us through this. One thing I'm saying to you gentlemen, learn one three-letter word, Y-E-S. Yes, yes, yes.

to the Board of Supervisors and the Chairman. Thank you so very much. This is just an elated moment for me. Words cannot express how I feel at this moment to have the Board of Pennsylvania County recognize my husband's eye for 70 years of marriage. Thank you so very much.

Thank you all again. All right, at this time I have a

great group of people here I'd like to recognize. That is our Pennsylvania County 4-H livestock judging team. So I'd like all the people here present to come forward for that. We want to recognize you.

Come on, ladies. Come on up here. Everybody come on up.

All right. All right, at this time, we have a certificate of excellence. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes the Pennsylvania County 4-H Livestock Judging Team for its outstanding achievements at the 2026 Virginia State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. Through exceptional knowledge, dedication, teamwork, and leadership, the junior team earned the title of high overall team. High team in cattle, high team in sheep and goats, high team in oil reasons, and second high team in swine. Team members also earned outstanding individual honors, including multiple top 10 finishes. While senior competitor Landon Vande Heide received the invitation to join the Virginia State 4-H Livestock Judging Team, the board commenced the students, coaches, volunteers, and families, whose hard work and commitment made these accomplishments possible. The outstanding representation of Pennsylvania County reflects the higher standards of excellence and brings great pride to our community. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes for the continued success. The Pennsylvania County 4-H Livestock Judging Team, given this 21st day of July 2026 of Vice Chair William Ingram, Chairman Robert Tucker. Thank you.

All right. It's me.

George Henderson, come up and stand with us, please, if you're able. Since I've been on the board, I've always tried to honor the five schools in my district, which are the best schools in the county. And I get the honor of recognizing four of them tonight. Having said that, would the Stoney Mill representation of the young people and parents, y'all come up here, please. Stoney Mill.

Thank you.

The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes Stony Mill Elementary School for its outstanding achievements at the Virginia Beta State Convention and the National Beta Convention. Through academic excellence, artistic achievement, musical talent, teamwork, and leadership, Stony Mill Elementary students have earned numerous individual and team honors, including multiple state championships and a top 10 national finish in living ligature. No, literature. The board commends the students, beta sponsors, faculty, staff, and students whose dedication and support made these accomplishments possible. Your commitment to excellence brings great pride to the Stony Mill Elementary School and to the citizens of Pennsylvania County. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Given this day, William V. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Robert M. Tucker, Chairman of the Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Thank you. If y'all would come and sort of half one side and half the other, and I'll present this to you, and then we have another little gift for you before you leave.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you all so much. Now, if the Roswell Elementary School Beta Club and parents and representatives come up here. Come on, Kelsey. Hey, Derek. All right. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes Broswell Elementary School for its outstanding achievements through the National Beta Club during the 2025-2026 school year. Through academic excellence, leadership, creativity, service, and teamwork, Broswell Elementary students earn numerous honors at the Virginia Beta Leadership Summit, Virginia State Beta Convention, and the National Beta Convention. The club also received national recognition as a National Beta School of Distinction, National Beta School of Merit, and a Silver Pillars of Service Award, while its sponsors were honored with the Educators of Excellence Award. The board commends the students, beta sponsors, faculty, staff, and families whose dedication and commitment made these accomplishments possible. Your pursuit of excellence brings great pride to Brunswick Elementary School and to the citizens of Pennsylvania County. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Giving this day, the 21st day of July of 2026, William V. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Robert M. Tucker, Junior Chairman. Thank you, sir.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Gracious. Greasing wheels. Halfway there. All right, if the representatives from Tunstall Middle School's Beta Club would come forward. All right. This is Certificate of Excellence. The Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes Brosnan Elementary School for its outstanding achievements through the National Beta Club during the 2025-2026 school year. Through exceptional academic... Excellence, leadership, creativity, teamwork, and service. Members of the club earn numerous state honors, including first place finishes in U.S. history, sixth grade, robotics, marketing and communications, pottery, three-dimensional design, and the Service Learning Showcase, as well as additional awards in language arts, performing arts, sculpture, woodworking, and two-dimensional design. The board also commends the club's robotics team for representing Tunstall Middle School and Pittsburgh County with distinction at the 2026 National Junior Beta Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The Pittsburgh County Board of Supervisors extends its sincere appreciation to the students, sponsors, faculty, families, and supporters whose dedication and commitment made these accomplishments possible. Your outstanding representation of Tunstall Middle School and the Pittsburgh County reflects the high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character and brings great pride to our community. Given the 21st day of July 2026, William V. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Robert M. Tucker, Chairman. Nobody's here from Tunstall Middle? All right. And finally, this is Tunstall High School, Beto. Good to see you again. How you doing? The Pittsburgh County Board of Supervisors proudly recognizes the Tunstall High School Beta Club for its outstanding accomplishments at the 2026 National Beta Convention. Through academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and teamwork, Tunstall High School Beta members earn numerous national honors, including a national championship in All the World is a Stage, along with multiple top 10 finishes in academic testing, and competitive events. These accomplishments reflect the exceptional talent, dedication, and character of the students and their sponsors. The board commends the students, beta sponsors, faculty, staff, and families whose hard work and commitment made these achievements possible. Your outstanding representation of Tunstall High School and Piccadilly County on the national stage brings great pride to our community. The Piccadilly County Board of Supervisors extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Given this 21st day of July, 2026, William V. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Robert M. Tucker, Chairman.

Mr. Ingram, anybody left in the Tulsa district?

Mr. Chairman, I think I've covered about half of them, but no, we're good. Thank you all so much.

Thank you.

OK. That's the fun part of our job. And thank you all for your patience and your participation. And again, congratulations to all of those that have

accomplished a lot of different things we say great all right we're going to continue on with our meeting mr bowman what's your pleasure uh yes sir mr chairman i'd like to uh housekeeping item here make a motion to reconsider consent agenda item 7 victor and that item 7 vector be removed from the agenda which is the landfill disposal rate continuation approval that's my motion sir

Thank you, Mr. Bowman. Support, please.

I'll second that. Thank you, Mr. Dudley.

All right. Any discussion, please? Hearing none, Gentleman Cashier votes electronically. Thank you so much. Motion passes 6-0-1 abstentions. All right, that takes us down to agenda item number nine, which is the hearing of the citizens. Each person addressing the board under the hearing of the citizens shall be resident or landowner of the county, or the registered agent of such resident or landowner. Each person shall step up and give his or her name and district in an audible tone of voice for the record, unless further time is granted by the chairman. So limit his, her address to three minutes. No person shall be permitted to address the board more than once during the hearing of the citizens. All remarks shall be addressed to the board as a body and not to any individual member thereof. Hearing of the citizens shall last for a maximum of 45 minutes. Any individual that is signed up to speak during said section who does not get the opportunity to do so because of aforementioned time shall be given speaking priority at the next board meeting. Absent chairman's approval, no person shall be able to speak who has not signed up to speak. Madam Clerk, we have anyone signed up?

Yes, sir.

Who's our first speaker?

Sadella Mayo.

Ms. Mayo? Sadella Mayo. That's you. Yes, ma'am. Would you come up, please?

My name is Sadella Mayo and I have been a resident of Southside Lost for the past three years. I'm writing as a concerned citizen on a limited income and as a resident who has endured ongoing harassment, has been unable to live peacefully in my home since moving into this community. Several years ago, I was verbally threatened by the resident of apartment 215, Ms. Jones. I immediately reported the incident to both the police and the property manager. At the time, Ms. Lakeisha Womack. Despite my efforts to address the serious matter, the issue was never investigated, resolved, or discussed further. I was informed that the regional manager, Blair, preferred to avoid the confrontation and had instructed the property manager to disregard the matter. As a result, my concerns were never properly addressed, and I have continued to experience efforts the effects of this unresolved situation. Ms. Jones frequently pounce on the floor, which is my ceiling, at all hours of the day, night disrupting my peace and making it difficult to rest. In addition, my door camera has captured Ms. Jones spitting at my apartment door on the doormat, which I consider both disrespectful, harassing, beyond my personal experience. I'm deeply concerned that the terms of the lease are not being consistently enforced. Residents have been allowed to engage in threatening behavior, vandalize or disrespect the personal property of others, permit children to ride bicycles throughout the interior of the building and allow groups of non-residents to enter the property and to serve the peace. I have also witnessed or became aware of firearms being brought onto the premises, creating an environment that feels increasingly unsafe. Equally troubling is apparent lack of support for on-site property managers. When they attempt to enforce the community rules, efforts to address these issues are often met with resistance from upper management, making it difficult to maintain a safe, respectful, and peaceful living environment for residents. This ongoing situation has caused me significant stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation. No resident should have to live in fear and endure repeated harassment, or feel that their legitimate concerns are being ignored. Every resident deserves to feel safe, respected, secure in their home. I respectfully request that these matters be taken seriously throughout the investigating and addressed properly. I hope this marks the beginning of the meaningful action to restore a safe, peaceful living environment for all residents of Southside Lost. Thank you for your time.

Thank you, ma'am. All right, Madam Clerk, who's our next speaker?

Katie Whitehead, and she is requesting 10 minutes. She says she's speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Protection of Pennsylvania County.

Good evening, Ms. Whitehead. Welcome.

Katie Whitehead, Chatham-Blairs District. As said, I am speaking for the Coalition for the Protection of Pennsylvania County. Thank you for your attention. The most important part of the comprehensive plan is probably the future land use map. The 2010 future land use map played an important role in the Balaco controversy. Balaco wanted 2,200 acres of land designated for future agricultural and rural residential use to be rezoned for heavy industry. Throughout that controversy, some of you on the board spoke of the importance of updating the comprehensive plan in order to avoid repeating what you saw as a divisive debate over Balaco's rezoning request. Many people who participated in the public Balaco discussion have agreed with you that Pennsylvania County needs to identify sites for future industrial development. Citizens including the Coalition for the Protection of Pennsylvania County, have advocated for making full use of existing industrial parks and minimizing the conversion of agricultural land in rural neighborhoods to industrial uses or to intensive commercial and residential development. We have also advocated for transparency and community engagement in siting new industrial parks if more industrial space is needed. You've undertaken a comprehensive planning process with the help of line and grade consultants. The comp plan webpage says, quote, to get the vision right, we need the people who live here to lead the way, unquote. We know that putting sticker dots on a map the size of a placemat is not leading the way. Updating the comprehensive plan does not begin with a blank slate. To meaningfully participate in planning for future land use, citizens need to understand what economic development makes sense. We need some degree of understanding of known constraints on construction, such as physical characteristics of the land, and known infrastructure requirements, such as roads, power, water, and sewer, to truly engage in planning. County residents and landowners also need to learn about what planning has already been done to address transportation issues, water and sewer expansion, regional collaboration, et cetera. Of paramount concern to many citizens is the siting of industrial development. We need to be allowed to debate future locations as part of the comprehensive planning process. People deserve to know what may be coming to their neighborhoods and deserve to have a say well before decisions are made. If this information is public, There will be controversy. There should be controversy. People will disagree. People will say, not in my backyard, my front yard, or my neighbor's yard. How could there not be controversy if you openly and honestly tell us the possible location of future power plants or data centers or manufacturing sites. In the fall of 2024, RIFA hired consulting firm Economic Leadership to update RIFA's regional economic development strategic plan. Two months later, the IDA hired the same consultants to develop a county plan focused on housing. The IDA received its report on schedule early this year, approved it in April, and quickly began signing options to purchase contracts on thousands of acres. The RIFA plan, which was due in September, almost a year ago, was to include a data center analysis and evaluation of existing industrial parks and identification of potential new industrial sites. The RIFA plan is not public. Request to see it get evasive, contradictory answers. The RIFA and IDA plans were touted as work that would engage the public and contribute to the comprehensive plan. These reports are now described as parallel and completely separate plans. The Coalition for the Protection of Pennsylvania County respectfully asks that the RFAA and IDA strategic plans be presented to the public and that citizens be allowed to review and discuss these plans as part of the comprehensive planning process before line and grade produces a draft future land use map. Without this crucial information, citizens and line and grade might as well be working in the dark. Please turn the lights on. in the comprehensive process. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. All right, Madam Clerk, anyone else signed up?

Yes, sir. Frank Fox.

Mr. Fox, good evening and welcome.

Chairman Tucker, members of the board, Frank Fox from Chatham Players District. It was my honor and privilege as president of the Rotary Club of Chatham to be included in the 250 celebration ceremony as a senior partner of the county, both for our monetary contributions to what was accomplished and our normal Field of Honor flags. So we wanted this year to be particularly special since we numbered the flags at 250 for our anniversary of our country. And we also thought that we needed to include a state of Virginia flag and a Pennsylvania County flag in that display from Memorial Day through the 4th of July. Our problem was that we could get a Virginia flag anywhere, but where were we going to get a Pennsylvania County flag? So we went to Chairman Tucker, who had the county administrator provide us both with a Virginia and a Pennsylvania County flag. I am now here tonight to return those flags to the county, and I appreciate your support, and we look forward to future partnerships with you. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

All right. Madam Clerk, can you stand up?

That's all, Mr. Chair. That's it? Yes, sir.

Thank you, ma'am. All right that moves us down to the agenda item 10 which is going to be public hearings also. Sure sure to article 5 division, 6 of Pennsylvania County zoning ordinance, the board of Supervisors have been empowered to hear and assess specific zoning issues and zoning map changes in support of said ordinance. In accomplishing this important task the board is responsible for promoting the health safety and general public welfare of citizens of Pennsylvania County the board must ensure that all of its decisions and regulations Be directed to these goals and that each be consistent with the environment the comprehensive plan and in the best interests of Pennsylvania County its citizens and its posterity All right, in case R-26-025, Ms. Smith. Thank you.

Case R26-025, Matthew Johnson is requesting to rezone property located on US Highway 58 Martinsville Highway in the Tunstall Election District from M2 Industrial District Heavy Industry to M1 Industrial District Light Industry. Contingent upon rezoning approval to M1, the owner intends for auto sales on the property. Once the property is rezoned to M1, all uses listed under Pennsylvania County Code 35-383 are permitted uses. On June 2nd, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended by a six to zero vote with no opposition, that the petitioner's request be granted with the condition that all inoperable vehicles must be removed from the property within 45 days. And I would have to defer to the county attorney. I don't think we can include that because it wasn't a proffer. So that was just part of their discussion. The staff summary and the planning commission's recommendations are in the board packet.

R-26-025. It is now 8.15. We open the public hearing. Madam Clerk, anyone sign up to speak?

No, sir.

All right. Mr. Johnson, are you here? Anything to add to the petition? No, sir. Thank you so much, sir. So at 8.15, we'll close the public hearing.

Thank you.

Mr. Ingram, your pleasure.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In case R26-025, I make a motion to approve the rezoning of 2.24 acres from M2 Industrial District Heavy Industry to M1 Industrial District Light Industry to allow for auto sales on the property. And that is my motion, sir. Thank you, Mr. Ingram. Support, please.

I'll second that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, cast your votes electronically. Motion passes unanimously. Sir, your property is resolved. In case R-26-026, Edward Wimmer. Ms. Smith, please.

Yes. Mr. Wimmer is requesting to rezone 16.8 acres located on FC Beverly Road 703 in the Tunstall Election District from R1 Residential Suburban Subdivision District to A1 Agricultural District. Contingent upon rezoning approval to A1, the owner intends for agricultural uses on the property. Once the property is rezoned to A1, all uses listed under Pennsylvania County Code 35-178 are permitted uses. On June 2nd, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended by a seven to zero vote with no opposition that the petitioner's request be granted. The staff summary and the Planning Commission's recommendation are included in your board packet, and I believe Mr. Wimmer is here if you have any questions.

Thank you. All right, it is 817, case R-26-026. Public hearing is now open. Anyone sign up to speak? No, sir. Mr. Wimmer, anything to add? Nothing to add. All right, thank you. All right, it is 817 again. We've closed public hearing. Let me see, that's Mr. Ingram also.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In case R26-026, I make a motion to approve the rezoning of 16.8 acres from R1 Residential Suburban Subdivision District to A1 Agricultural District to allow for agricultural uses on the property. And that is my motion, sir.

Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Whittle. All right. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, cast your votes electronically, please. Motion passes unanimously. Mr. Wimmer. Ms. Wimmer, your property's been rezoned. In case, R-26-027. Ms. Smith, please.

Jeremy and Alexis Trost are requesting to rezone 85.03 acres of property located on Wilkes Drive and Farmers Mountain Road 953 in the Stanton River election district from R1 residential suburban subdivision district to A1 agricultural district. Contingent upon rezoning approval to A1, the owner intends for agricultural and residential uses on the property. Once the property is rezoned to A1, all use is listed under Pennsylvania County Code 35-178 are permitted uses on june 2nd 2026 the planning commission recommended by a seven to zero vote with no opposition that the petitioner's request be granted the staff summary and the planning commission recommendation are in the board packet i do not believe the trose were able to be here this evening

Thank you so much. All right. In case R-26-027, public hearing is now open at 819. Anyone signed up to speak?

No, sir.

All right. Let's see. Mr. Trost, anything to add, sir? No, sir. Thank you so much. It is 819. We close the public hearing. Case R-26-027. 26 dash, I'm assuming it should be 026. Looks like a typo.

Is that correct?

I see 27, but I think it's legitimately supposed to be 26.

I've got in my motion 026. Need to know before we do make that motion to approve it.

I'm sure it's a typo on the agenda. because you can't wait 12 months to resume the property.

It should be R26-027. It is 27.

Okay, so it is a typo in the motion.

The previous case was R26-026.

Okay, yeah, it's a typo in the motion right here. I'll take it from here.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In case R-26-027... Make a motion to approve the rezoning of 35.41 acres from R1 Residential Suburban Subdivision District to A1 Agriculture District to allow for livestock and agricultural farming on the property. Mr. Chairman, that is my motion.

Thank you, Mr. Dudley. Support?

I'll second it. Thank you. Mr. Whittle?

No. All right. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, please cast your votes electronically. All right, motion passes unanimously. The property's been rezoned, sir. Thank you, Ms. Smith. All right, that takes us down to agenda item 10B, other public hearings. Each person addressing the board in a public hearing shall step up, give his or her name and district and or his or her place of residency for non-county citizens in an audible tone of voice for the record. And unless further time is granted by the chairman, show up. limit his or her address to three minutes. Speakers for a group shall be limited to 10 minutes. Speakers shall conclude their remarks at that time unless the consent of the board is affirmatively given to extend the speaker's allotted time. Absent chairman's approval, no person shall be able to speak who has not signed up to speak. And this is 10 v. 1. Public hearing PC chapter 11 dash two revisions, fire and EMS commission. Mr. Evans. Thank you, sir.

Good evening. This public hearing is for a change to the Pittsburgh County code, uh, to reflect the dissolution of the fire and EMS commission. It simply makes modifications to chapter 11. and takes the powers delegated to the Fire and EMS Commission and returns those to the board. The board previously took action to, made the decision regarding the Fire and EMS Commission, and this simply corrects the code to reflect the county's, or the Board of Supervisors' decision that was made back in June, the June meeting.

All right. Madam Clerk, anyone sign up to speak? Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion.

I'll second your motion, Mr. Stephan.

Just for the record, I'll make a motion approving the revisions of Pennsylvania County Code 11-2 as attached and presented.

And I'll second your motion. Thank you, sir.

Any discussion on the motion? All right. Hearing no discussion, I'll cast your votes electronically. That motion passes 7-0. And, you know, for the public's insight, we have recognitions and we plan on recognizing the Fire and Rescue Commission for their hard work and their valued commitment to want to improve the service to the county. Okay? So that's coming post haste. All right. Let's see. B2 would be public hearing on PCC Chapter 8-7, Revisions, Bachelor Hall Precinct Location Change. Mr. Evans?

Yes, Mr. Chairman. This public hearing is for another modification of the county code to Chapter 8. This is for a change in the location of a... polling location for Batchelor's Hall Precinct in the Westover Election District. The current polling location is Batchelor's Hall Volunteer Fire Department, and the proposed polling location is Faith Memorial Baptist Church Gymnasium. The electoral board in their June meeting voted unanimously to approve recommending that this relocation occur. This is not a denigration of the current location, but the proposed location is a larger space. It's improved parking accommodations. There is enhanced accessibility for a number of different reasons, better accommodations for curbside voting. It's a convenient location right there on 58 in the Westover District. The proposal does not change the precinct boundaries, doesn't change the voter eligibility. It simply moves the polling location to a different location. The amendment of that location as listed in the county code requires a public hearing, so that's why we're here today. The county director of elections, Ms. Shani Shorter, is present as well as one of the the electoral board members, Tinker Burkhardt, if the board has any questions.

Okay, in case, let's see, PCC Chapter 8-7, Revisions to Bachelors Hall, the voting precinct. Any, well, let's get a motion first. Mr. Ingram, that's you.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion approving the revisions of Pitcher County Code 8-7 that's attached and presented. Since I'm a member at Faith Memorial, we welcome this change. Thank you. Second, please.

I'll second that motion, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chair, can I get you to open and close that public hearing, please?

I'm getting ready to now when I call for discussion. Thank you. It's moved and met with second. Any discussion? It is now 8.27. We open the public hearing. Anyone signed up to speak?

No, sir.

All right. It is 8.27. We close the public hearing. All right. Let's vote electronically, please, on the motion. Thank you, motion passes seven, zero. All right, that moves us down to, is it 10B3, public hearing, AT&T lease agreement amendment. Mr. Arnold. Good evening and welcome and thank you for your patience.

Thank you all and good evening. This is a renewal of the AT&T lease agreement, or actually an amendment. The lease originally was executed back in 2001 with the predecessor to AT&T, All Tail Communications. It's for the tower that's just within feet of where we are located off of Bank Street. So the actual tenant is singular wireless PCS, also known as AT&T Mobility. The proposed rent would be $2,413.85 per month starting September 5th of this year. And the initial term would be for 60 months with a proposed renewal term of four additional 60-month terms. at the beginning of each 60-month term, there would be a 15% increase. So that would, if this is approved, the next term would begin on September 5th, 2031. Also, in the event that the location of that cell tower may need to be repurposed or redeveloped, there is a clause that would allow for a sell on wheels or a cow temporarily somewhere on the site, you know, as best as the owner, which is Pennsylvania County Board of Supervisors, is able to find an amenable temporary arrangement. that will work for the tenant, while the tenant then looks for an offsite cell tower location. So that's the gist of the proposed AT&T lease agreement amendment. And happy to answer any questions. So we may have some people signed up.

830, we open a public hearing on the AT&T lease agreement amendment. Anyone signed up to speak?

No, sir.

All right, it's 8.30. We close the public hearing. All right, gentlemen, what's your pleasure? I'll make it motion. Thank you, Mr. Ingram. I'll second it. Thank you, Mr. Dudley. It is moved and met with second. I'm assuming to approve the AT&T lease agreement amendment. Any discussion? Hearing none, cast your votes, please. Thank you. It just froze. All right, we have passed this unanimously. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Arnold. All right, that takes us down to agenda item 11, unfinished business. Any unfinished business? All right. All right, it takes us down to agenda item 12. I know we have some new business. Did we set aside? Yes, Mr. Chair. All right, Madam Clerk, what's our first item of new business?

All right, so this is going to be the Fire and Rescue Service Agreement Approval.

Rescue Fire and Service Agreement Approval.

all right we separate it mr bowman yes sir mr chairman uh just real quick i wanted to point out in the agreement which i like it's a draft agreement here but i went through this and read it and i just wanted for the public's sake to make sure they understand that this is a this is a agency where we provide funding to them And to date, in the current fiscal year, the volunteer agency has responded to at least 70% of their first due calls. And I'm going to tell you, that's very good for a volunteer agency to be able to do that. And also, to date, in the current fiscal year, for a dispatch call, the volunteer agency must respond within eight minutes. and that is a that's heroic if you if you ask me because these folks here have to be on site in those vehicles and moving within eight minutes and a lot of your full-time folks i mean they can't do it within that amount of time either so i just want to point that out that this is uh this memorandum of agreement here is uh something that i support and i think it's They're doing a great job as far as fire and EMS is concerned. So that's all I got to say, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman, thank you.

And I would recommend approval on that.

You're going to recommend it or you're going to make a motion? And I make a motion that we approve that. How about that? Thank you so much. Is there support for the motion? I'll second it. Thank you, Mr. Engel. Any discussion? Mr. Whittle? Okay, thank you. All right. Hearing none, cast your votes electronically, please. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Madam Clerk, what else did we separate?

All right. Now we have the 3.5% COLA increase approval.

3.5% COLA increase. Mr. Bowman, you moved to separate.

So, Mr. Chairman, thank you for this. On the COLA increase, I'd like to have Ms. Kim Vander Hyde come forward, please. During our budget meeting, we talked about the COLA and setting it at 2%. And that's what went out in our public announcement there. Since then, it's come back at a recommendation of 3.5%. Last evening, I attended a DSS meeting. And I had a shock when I was there about the state mandated cost that was being imposed on the DSS. And one of the board members is sitting out in the audience tonight. And I think we all were shocked at the base salary that's going to be imposed on a number of people just in DSS, not the constitutional offices, but DSS particularly. But this is going to impact the constitutional folks, also the staff that work there. When we did our budget, when we finished, we were about a $1.3, $1.5 million decrement in balancing our budget. I've asked Ms. Vander Heide to go back and look at the difference from a 2% to a 3.5%. And I want her to explain a little bit because I know just on the service, if you look at it, it looks like a lot of money that's just being given to the staff from 2% to 3.5%. But I want her to explain this a little bit on how we get to this point. So if you don't mind.

Sure. So it used to be years ago. The county, we had county raises, we had state raises. And so all of us are county employees. We have five constitutional offices that are state reimbursable salaries, that have state reimbursable salaries. They also have local salaries in them. Years ago, it used to be if you worked in the sheriff's department and you were a compensation board employee, you may get the state raised, but somebody, if you are a county deputy, you got the county raised. Well, doing the same job, you're getting two different raises, you know, it's not good for morale, it's not good for a lot of things. There were some years the county would give a raise, the state wouldn't give a raise, or vice versa. And it was just what it was. Well, as time moved on, several years ago, probably around 2019, 2020 timeframe, We did a salary study, and we allowed the constitutional officers, if they would like to, to participate in that pay and classification study. And they could agree to come on the county's pay and personnel plan. We had three of our five constitutional offices agree to do that. They were the treasurer's office, the commissioner of revenues office, and the sheriff's office. So they were placed on our pay and classification plan. So at the beginning, we would look to see, you know, if the state gave a raise and we proposed, like in this instance, let's say we had proposed a 2% increase. And then the state came back and said, well, we're going to give a 3%. As long as our raise was more than the state raise, we could get our money. The state raise is always based on the compensation board-allowed salary. When they came on our pay plan, of course, those positions paid more. That was the whole reason that people participated with the county's pay plan. So it got to the point where we really needed to make a decision. Did you want to take the state money that you'd be given for raises? forego that and stay with the county raise. So for the last several years, probably four, at least four years, we have been going with, if the state proposes a COLA, we all go with that COLA. It was just simpler. Now, of course, we've been riding, and I talked to Mr. Bowman earlier, and I called, you know how I come up with my own terminology. I said, we're currently riding a gravy train. with the state. Next year, the state could say, we're not giving anything. And so we would get nothing because we decided that we would follow the state. Now, is that in writing anywhere? No. Just a general rule. So let's fast forward to this year to budget time. So during 2027, our early information that we received from the state, they were proposing that we would be getting a 2% COLA. So a 2% is what we did budget. And my budget is based strictly on those employees that live within the general fund. So of course, water and sewer have to come up with their own raises as well as solid waste. 2% has been factored into those areas. So right now, a total of $500,000 was budgeted for a 2% COLA. So, you know, of course, when it came out at the end of June that a three and a half was going to be given, this, of course, would be effective August 1. So the figure that I'm going to give you is for a 12-month period. So it's going to be one month shy of that. So it'll be a little bit less. But my calculations, it's around $875. So the difference is about $375 that we would have to increase our budget by. And that's $375,000. And I am proposing that we utilize our, we have a salary fund that we use every year for estimated COLAs, merits, and that kind of thing. And each year during carryover, we carry over that salary reserve fund. for increases. Sometimes we hire people and hire them starting, and that's where those funds come from. So we have sufficient funds to cover that increase without dipping into your reserve funds that aren't designated. So this is strictly designated for salary increases, whether it be COLAs or merits or what have you. So that is my proposal. And that's how it was laid out in the executive summary. I didn't give you totals, but it'll actually come out a little bit less than the 875, because you're one month short. And we get about 32% of that money back from the state, because they will give us 3.5% on the reimbursable piece. So I'm calculating that at about $284,000 of the 875, if you're looking at it from a 12-month perspective. Hopefully that answers your questions, but I'm here if you have any further questions.

Ms. Vanden Heide. Go ahead. Thank you for going back. Being chairman of the finance committee, I want everyone to know that going from what we budgeted when we were doing our budget, we're mandated to have a budget. The state was late in presenting their budget, so the state comes up with a higher number. and in all fairness it's a wash based on what the state what we're going to recoup from the state even at three and a half percent it's going to be pretty much a wash now to front load the money miss vander had has a slush fund okay don't call it that that's what it is but we're going to dip into those funds as opposed to the general fund. So I think we'll be in good shape there. Okay?

Yeah, I've got a question. Who was it? Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. I've got a question, but Mr. Bowman's next. Go ahead. No, go ahead. Okay. All right. Now, Ms. Vanderheim, we approved the budget that 2% was in there, right? Correct. Did the employees get their 2% on July 1?

No, we opted not to do that because we found out by the end of June that it was going to 3.5%. So we held off on that July, given the 2%. So this will take the place of that. they'll get it on their august 15th check but it'll be three and a half instead of two so it's just gonna be so they didn't get anything out of the two percent that we approved in the budget then no i mean

We should have given them that, and then this additional, we should be voting on 1.5%. Right. This board had already approved 2% in the budget, right?

I understand.

Well, July 1, they should have got that paid. And then tonight, we should be talking about adding another 1.5%.

To July, but then to August, then we're moving forward.

Right, but from July to August, they're not getting anything.

Right. Well, no, no, no. I'm sure you're going to go back and retro pay them. Well, that's fine.

No, we are not doing that because we're following what the state says, and that's August 1.

Oh. Right, but July and August, they didn't get that 2%.

They didn't get it in July, but they'll get it in August.

They'll get the 2% for July and August?

In August, they will get a 3.5 COLA on their entire salary. Right. But they'll get it in August, not in July. They'll get it in August. And whenever they change the rule, you go with the rule. I mean, we can't have one leg and you can't say, well, you had it here. If you're going to go with the state, you've got to go with the state. And the state is the increase comes August 1. It comes July 1. Before, the 2% was for July 1. So we would have given it July 1 if that's what the state went with.

And they would have received it July 15.

Right. But they didn't agree to do that. They said, no, it's going to be August 1. So we're not going to do part of it in July and then go back and do the rest of it in August.

Yeah, but we approved 2% for July 1. before the state ever changed. And now we, I want to go ahead and make sure our employees get that 3.5%.

And they will.

I know, but I'm just thinking about that July to August 1st, whatever, what happened to that 2% that we promised them? This board voted on that. It was in the budget for them to get a 2% code. And they should have won in effect on July 1st, and they should have received it on July the 15th.

We budgeted based on the communication from the state that said it was a 2% proposed increase effective July 1. So we budgeted based on that premise. That's not always what you go with. And when we got guidance, it said August 1, not July 1. So, to me, you have to do all of it.

But, I mean, you all on the board, I mean, if you want to do that, it's... Madam, Ms. Vanden Heide, to save us a little bit of time, we can... You know, we can split hairs, but in all fairness to you, our employees are not going to understand it, how we do it. And I understand you're trying to do it by accounting principles, that sort of thing. I think what we need to do is pay those employees that 2% and just move on. We'll just accept the fact that And that's one of the things that the public has to understand, that Virginia operates under the Dillon rule. OK, even though we're mandated to have a budget, The state can drag their feet until the last minute, or they can shut the government down like the federal government does sometimes. We don't have that luxury. We have to open our doors. We have to operate, okay? So I'm with Mr. Dalton on this one, and I don't think we need a motion. I think we should honor the spirit of the budget that we put together for July 1 and pay those employees. And based on your calculation, 3.5% is going to cost you roughly $350,000. Just a quick calculation. You're going to probably have to look at your slush fund now for another $180,000 a day or about.

Okay?

Let's just get it done.

So let's be clear what you want to do. You're going to go back to July 1, give them 2% for one month, And then in August, they're going to get three and a half.

That is correct.

Just want to be clear, because payroll will be questioning me.

That is, listen, perception is reality. This board can stand up and explain to any constituent, you know, what's right by the letter of the law, but we're still going to be wrong, and we're going to have to take arrows, and we're going to have to put on our flap jackets, because they have... Trust me, scrutinized our budget, that sort of thing. And that's why I asked the question initially, were you going to go back and pay them retro to July 1 because the fiscal year, you know, obviously starts July 1.

So do you want to go back and pay them three and a half?

No, I want to go back. I want to make good and I want to honor the word of this board.

I just want to make sure that I have y'all's wishes exactly like you want them.

Two percent for July 1, August 1, three and a half percent.

Okay.

Okay. And I think we're good there. Yes, sir.

No, I just want to say I totally agree with these two gentlemen. We gave our word we should stand by what we said and then step up to the 3.5. You can't brag about your employees and then cheat them when it comes time to pay them. And cost of living is just as important in August as it is in July. So thank you all for that.

Well, point of order, I don't want this board to – And I understand where you're coming from, Mr. England, but I kind of cringe when I hear that kind of language. We are not attempting, and I don't want this board to disparage anybody in our finances, anybody in our county government, because that is not the intent, and this board cannot judge what the staff's heart is, okay? And i want everyone to find the same grace for this board that's all i'm looking for and try to do the right thing and move forward thank you mr england for allowing me to say that all right yes sir there you are so if you'll indulge let me read what the state said and correct me if i'm wrong here

A 3.5% increase for state-supported local employees was approved by the governor effective August 1, 2026. The increase must be for all full-time employees. Every full-time employee must receive a salary increase at the same percent. part-time employees are not eligible. Does that track with what you're saying there? That's what came down from the state. So there is the verbiage from the governor. And so that's what we have here. That 2% was more or less, I want to say, I hoped that 2% would be good to go for the budget, but it was really a mark on the wall because we do not know what the state's going to do, just like we do not know what they're going to do for the schools. You know, we're always kind of guessing of how the money is going to flow when it comes down. We're actually just trying to look into the crystal ball and figure it out. So here's what we've got from the governor's office is that 3.5%. So that being said, Mr. Tucker, do we need a motion then?

Mr. Ed. You absolutely need a motion. We absolutely need a motion. Yes, sir.

All right, sir. So the motion then, help me, Mr. Attorney there, the motion would be to accept a 3.5% increase effective 1 August.

So there's a difference between what was from budgeting for something and approving the COLA. So the... The budget has previously been approved, and so there's an action that will approve the cost of living adjustment. So it depends on what the motion is. It's the board's pleasure as it relates to how to do that. Ms. Vander Heide is correct that historically the county has simply followed whatever the state has done. In this instance, the state has done 3.5% August 1st. was as an estimate to try to cover that cost. Correct. But the board has the authority to act unilaterally to do essentially whatever it would like to do, but it would definitely need a motion.

Thank you, Mr. Evans. I'm going to make the motion from the chair. I'm going to move that this board instruct staff to go back July 1, pay 2% COLA, commencing August 1st, start paying a 3.5% COLA going forward in compliance with the state.

And just as a point of just clarity, 2% and an additional 1.5 to make it a total of three, not a two and then a three and a half on top of that, because that will also be a question from payrolls.

Okay. And point of clarification, that is a 1.5, an additional 1.5 of the June pay, not the July pay. Correct.

Right, because it's paid in arrears. I got you. Thank you. All right.

Everyone understand? I'll second it.

Who was that? Mr. Dahl? Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Any further discussion? Hearing none, cast your votes electronically.

All right.

I do have a question.

On the vote, it says vote for current item 3.5% COLA, increase like approval.

The motion is under that item, but the motion is as Mr. Tucker, as Chairman Tucker states.

It just wasn't changed here. Okay.

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Vanderhaat. Let me... Let me try to explain to the, to our listening audience and the folks that are watching us by way of Facebook. Um, the state sometimes will give, let's say our school systems, uh, arrays and that sort of thing. And those are what they call unfunded mandates. But I want everyone to be aware of what an unfunded mandate is. Okay. And I know people are quick to say, well, that's when the state says you have to do something and they don't send you the money. It is when the state and your elected officials at the state level do not want to go down in writing to vote to increase whatever spending to be able to put in place what they are mandating the localities to do. force it or push it down to our local level, and it leaves the local government to make those decisions. That's what it really does, okay? All right. Madam Clerk, anything else under 10b?

Yes, sir. So now we have the Old Dominion Agricultural Foundation lease agreement approval.

Thank you. All right, it is now 8.54. We open the public hearing on the Old Dominion lease agreement.

You're good. It's not a public hearing. Go ahead, Mr. Ryman.

We're good. Okay, Mr. Chairman. Last is the Old Dominion Ag Complex lease. And the reason I wanted to pull that is I wanted to highlight to the public that the lease agreement has been reduced from this current year to $62,000. And I want to congratulate Mr. Shorter and his staff for negotiating that agreement. lease agreement with the ODAC personnel out there. However, I will say it's only good for one year and we really need to be looking at long term where we're going to put the extension office. If we're going to be looking there, we're probably going to face this again. And if not, we need to start looking at an alternative location for the extension office. Is that a fair statement, Mr.

Shorter? Yes, sir. Okay.

So that being said, Mr. Tucker, I'd like to make a motion to approve the ODAC lease agreement as attached.

Thank you, Mr. Bowman. Support. Thank you, Mr. Whittle. Any discussion? Hearing none, catch the votes electronically, please. All right, motion passes unanimously. all right that moves us down to is this 13 matters from the work session nothing sir none mr chair thank you sir uh report from the board mr whittle oh thank you i want to tell everybody uh we had a great uh time but um

250 celebration. Thank all the staff that put in all the time. Mr. Shorter, what you did, thank you. Everybody have a great day. Thank you.

Thank you, Sheriff. All right, Mr. Dalton.

Yes, sir. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank everybody for coming out tonight. We had a good crowd. We've been here pretty long, since about 2.30 this evening. I want to thank the students from the school that come out and recognize tonight. Our 4-H livestock judging team, that was great. I mean, these youth... is doing a wonderful job. We did have a great 4th of July celebration. I want to thank all the staff, everybody, volunteers, whoever that participated. It turned out it was really great. And I do want to comment on what we talked about the raise. I didn't want to... If we set up here and vote for stuff and we approve it, then I don't want people to think we voted And it don't mean nothing. I mean, I think we need to honor what we vote for. So that's the only reason I said I didn't want nothing, no bad comments to the staff or Ms. Van to hide or whatsoever. I want to do what's right. And I mean, I think that's what was right, that this board voted for that 2%. So I just want to make it right with the people. And I want everything to be fair. And with that, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Dalton. Mr. Engel.

Mr. Chairman, thank you so much.

We've had a good long day of meetings, haven't we?

First, I want to thank Chris Adcock and his staff. We had another water leak on 58, which had nothing to do with anything but an old saddle that went around that pipe that was probably 30 years old that rusted, that broke, that caused a water leak. And those guys on Saturday, pretty much all day Saturday, came out. Mr. Shorter came out. and got it fixed and made sure our citizens were with water throughout the weekend. And since it was right there in front of our church, that was good that we could continue to have worship. So I did want to extend a thank you to Chris and his staff and Cruise Construction. They came out and helped out. Again, we had a great Fourth of July event headed by Mr. Shorter, so many volunteers and staff that helped with that. But it was just a beautiful event. It's hard to believe we're 250 years old, though. On June the 25th, 1950, we entered into a war that cost 36,940 Americans their lives. It was better known as the Korean War. And we stood with South Korea. And while we did win that war, we lost a lot of good Americans in the process. So I did want to remember those that we've lost, those that were injured. And that was 76 years ago on the 25th of June. And it's pretty neat to honor two separate couples having been married 70 years. I'd love to be able to say that. But Silas and Shirley Seamster, they're the parents of a friend of mine. They're in Justin's district. And, of course, Robert and Dorothy Neal. So I hope they have 70 more. And I wanted to thank all the beta folks for coming. And those young people worked really hard and some great honors, many of which went on a national level. That's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Ingram. All right, Mr. Brown.

Yeah, thanks, y'all. Thanks, everybody, for coming out. I think you guys have covered it. I was able to attend the parade and the 250 event, and I think it was great. It was blazing hot, so I'm glad everybody stayed cool enough to enjoy it. But ODAC did a great job hosting it. But, yeah, thanks again to everybody. Congratulations to the ones that were recognized, and have a great week. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Brown. Mr. Bowman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I attended the annual Pennsylvania County Hunter landowner meeting at the Chatham Community Center recently. The purpose of these meetings is to enhance the local communication between the landowner, the rural landowner, and to create those positive relationships between the sportsmen and those landowners. They had a good turnout. They had two of those meetings, and a good turnout, good debate going back and forth, and it actually clarified a lot of things that you know, people that actually own land and when they're running dogs out there and those dogs are on that land, you know, how it impacts the landowner and the dog owners. So there was good information there that was passed during that. Also attended the Amthor expansion ribbon cutting. Congratulations to the Amthor family on their $4 million expansion project in Gretna. The project consisted of 33,000 square foot facilities to serve as a custom tank mounting and upfit plant, creating up to 75 new jobs. So congratulations to Butch and Brian, Brian's mom, and the whole family up there for that great expansion at Amthor. attended the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance Annual Meeting. The event highlighted a successful year for the region, announcing 2,754 creative jobs and over $1 billion in capital investment. I want to give a special shout out to Linda Green and the Institute for Advanced Learning Research for hosting this event. So that was a great turnout, too, by the way, over at the Institute. And also, as everybody else has mentioned, the Independence Day Festival, July 4th. Congratulations to all who had a part in the festival. It was a day filled with many activities. The flag field of honor, the parade, the activities at ODAC include a great opening ceremony, community vendors, entertainment, food, children's activities, and fireworks. And Mr. Tucker, thank you for the vision. Mr. Shorter, thank you for chairing the event and the county staff and all the volunteers that helped out throughout the county to make this a success. I would only ask that if we're going to do this again, Mr. Chairman, you might want to hold a after action meeting with all the groups before they forget what they did. And so we can document that. Congratulations to all the folks that received awards and recognitions this evening. And that's all I have, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Bowman. Mr. Dudley.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank everybody that come out. Thank staff. They make our jobs a lot easier than if we had to put it together and come up here and do it. It'd be tough. So thank you all, staff, county administrator, our county attorney, Kaylin, all of you guys putting it together. I appreciate you. 250th anniversary for the country. That was a wonderful celebration there in Chatham. attended that. I do want to draw your little attention. You know, in the conflict that we're in right now, United States, where we're at, I just ask that we, as a country, just pray for our country. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our leaders here. We need it. One other thing. I just received word last week that a soldier from World War II, through DNA test, his remains came back to Pennsylvania County this past Friday night. And he was escorted all the way from the Raleigh-Durham Airport to the Danville Line, and then Virginia State Police and motorcycle riders, a bunch of folks, took him to Alta Vista, and then from there. But next month, we will be honoring this gentleman, 29 years old when he passed, And 81 years ago, we can finally, um, honor someone that never was able because, uh, the greatness of this DNA tests and got all this remains back. And, um, the funeral service will be this coming Saturday, new prospect Baptist church, but, um, I'm going to have more details on it next month. So thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, appreciate all the people that came.

Thank you, Mr. Dudley. I just want to express my gratitude to the staff that has prepared for the meetings. You guys make us look like we kind of know what we're doing up here. So we really appreciate that too. My colleagues, I really appreciate you as honorable men that are focused on moving the county forward. And I can legitimately say that you all come to the meetings well prepared and that you work. I've heard a lot of talk about the comp plan, the comprehensive plan. I just want everyone to know that This board, we have involved line and grade to basically put this thing together and to work with our zoning board, to work with the board of supervisors. And what they're doing is they're making sure that everything fits within the framework. So they are looking at our zoning ordinance updates, they're looking at economic development where that should be. We are looking at transportation needs, improvements, how to connect transportation up. They're looking at capital improvement planning where we should realistically invest our money in terms of economic development. We want to make sure that we have housing policy in place that's going to accommodate the growth that is coming our way. We have to take a look at also utility expansion and and you know, I hear People talk about the data centers. The data centers are actually forcing communities to take a look at their power grid and updating that end of it. We try to do this at the same time of conserving Our beautiful farmland and also preserving our natural resources. So it is quite a feat, quite an undertaking. So this has not been done, you know, for probably, what, 15, 17 years. It has languished. And I just want to thank these people along with the staff that's actually working side by side. And also in September, there's going to be like a public forum. I don't know the exact date, but that's going to be the second phase of this actual comp plan. But please, ma'am, please, sir, attend. Keep yourself involved. Because that's what it's all about. The more you know, the less likely there's contempt for the actual comp plan itself. As far as the 250th celebration of this nation, let me just say from the bottom of my heart, And also I'm gonna speak on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. I'm gonna say thank you to you guys that share the vision. Thank you to our incredible staff. Mr. Shorter, thank you for just catching the vision. I think I sat down with you and I could feel you just being a sponge as I try to pour out what my vision was for our 250th celebration. Also, I want to extend my sincere thank you to those people that invested in us, invested in your community, invested in your county. That is to include not only individuals, but corporate sponsors. There were a lot of corporate sponsors in our community that believed in us. And I certainly want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. That allows me to say unequivocally, We did not use a penny, listen to me well, and those on Facebook, as the kids say, say it louder so they can hear you in the back of the bus. We did not use a penny of taxpayer money to pull this off. I want to tell you that I was impressed with the planning, how we came in and planned, and Mr. Shorter, kudos to you. Thank you to the volunteers. Thank you to all the employees of Pennsylvania County. How you work together. You pull this thing off, never done it before, and it went off without a hitch. As I understand it, there were no real emergencies out there. So I'm telling you. I would definitely bet on you all, and I'm not a betting guy, but thank you for just making it happen. And listen, thank you to the citizens that came out. We made it a memorable event, but without our citizens, we would have fell flat on our face. But what a wonderful opportunity to bring this community together. I mean together, because once we start coming together and sharing stories and ideas, we discover we are more alike than we are different. We were all raised with the same values. Isn't that amazing? But with that, I say thank you and let's continue to move forward. And I want the whole county to know that we might not satisfy everyone as a board. We might not be moving as fast as some people would like us to go. But real leadership is all about constant, movement forward. Even if we have to inch along, we're still going to be moving forward. And that's what I want to do for this county as a leader is to move this county forward in the right direction. Thank you. Mr. Short.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm also proud of the nation in which we live and that we could freely celebrate the 250 years of this wonderful nation. But I have to back up a little bit because I know it's hard for the board to pat itself on the back. But it's true. Without the support of this board, it would have never happened. It couldn't have happened. We found out early on in the planning stages that most items that we needed for this event are booked years in advance for 4th of July because 4th of July happens every year. And when we realized that the few resources that we could acquire needed immediate deposits and contracts signed, which we couldn't have done without your support, without you having the confidence and putting up the seed money, of which, as Mr. Chairman Tucker just said, we never used a penny of. But we're so appreciative of you all and your support and confidence in us of extending that um, because, because like all things, you have critics in all things, but without that extension of trust that, Hey, Hey guys, we kept coming back to you. We're raising, we're fundraising, we're beating, we're, we're, people are, money's coming in, but you guys had to take that leap of faith and thank you for that or nothing would have happened. Secondly, nothing else would have happened out there that day without a small army of volunteers true patriots in my opinion that that forego forwent any plans with their family that day to dedicate some of them friday saturday and clean up on sunday that It meant that much to them. And without that small army, I'm here to tell you, would have never happened. So there's so many would have never happens in this story of how proud I am of the volunteers from inside and outside our organization. And I wish I had the time and at least to sit here and name every one of them. But they deserve every bit of praise for doing what they did that day. And thank you all again for supporting us.

Thank you, Mr. Short and Mr. Evans. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Um, I have the, uh, opportunity blessing even to review every single page of the agenda and all the attachments for these meetings. It is staggering the breadth of items that this, this board deals with on a regular basis and that the County and the County staff, um, are involved in. Um, so it's a, it's a blessing to be a part of that process. The future is bright. Let's get to work.

Thank you. And thank everyone for being here this evening. Meeting adjourned.