Board of Supervisors (bos) Agendas & Minutes - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. It is six o'clock. I'll call the June or July 14 2026 meeting of the Board of Supervisors to order. I will note that we do have a quorum with all members present with the exception of Mr. Cook. I would ask that you keep Mr. Cook in his prayers. He is dealing with health issues. So keep him in his prayers, thoughts and prayers throughout this ordeal. If you would stand tonight we have Wayne Yoder with us from the Light of Hope Mennonite Church to provide the invocation and remain standing for the pledge.

It's a blessing to be with you all tonight. Thank you all for your service.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus. We thank you for your faithfulness to us. We thank you for the privilege and the blessing that we have to live in a land of freedom and plenty. We know, Lord, that you have given us responsibility, various responsibilities in this room. And I pray, Father, that you would help us to serve humbly. recognizing, Father, that we are accountable to the people that we serve in whatever capacity we serve, but we are also accountable to you, Heavenly Father. And I pray, Lord, that you would be with this board assembled tonight. We pray that you would give them your wisdom to make decisions. in a way that would be beneficial and a blessing to the citizens of the county. And that would also honor you. We pray for Mr. Cook and the health concerns that he has and his family. We pray that you would provide for them as well. We know that you're the healer. And we are grateful tonight that we can give ourselves to you. I pray that we would serve your purpose and that you would meet the needs that are in this room and that are represented by all of us here, because we're all needing you. We're all dependent on you. We thank you. We praise you again in the worthy name of Jesus for your many blessings. And we ask that we would live lives of honor in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I pledge allegiance 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.

I will go ahead and apologize for the lack of air in the building. But it will be warm tonight, but we can make it through right. First item on the agenda citizens Tom, I will remind you that this is three minutes to speak about concerns with county. And I would ask everybody that's here present during the meeting to be respectful for the person that's speaking. Try to avoid having conversations while the person is speaking. If you have to have a conversation, please step outside and have that conversation and just make sure that you're providing the respect for the people it is speaking. Ms. Crockett will be keeping time. First person we have to speak is Ms. Sherry Burrs. Ms. Burrs?

Good evening. Again, Sherry Burris. When we talk about the arrival of AI data centers, we hear a lot about electricity and jobs. But tonight, I want to talk about the hidden costs, the invisible systemic impacts of the corporate brochures conveniently leave out, and that everyday people are never told. First, these massive complexes are altering our local climate. Scientists have recently identified a phenomenon called the data heat island effect. The relentless thermal exhaust pumped out by thousands of high powered AI processors can warm up immediate surrounding land up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not just a stat, it directly drives up neighborhood temperatures, forcing you and your family to put on your air conditioners and therefore your power bills will go up. Second, let's talk about the literal peace of mind. While these tech companies promise quiet facilities, operational centers are being hit with unprecedented class action lawsuits from local communities. Residents living up to a mile away are suffering from a tonal hum, a specific low frequency acoustic vibration from massive cooling infrastructures that penetrates drywall. and causes chronic insomnia, stress, and elevated cortisol. It is a constant unnatural noise pollution that eats away at the health of your household. Third, there is a quiet public health emergency behind these walls. When these facilities run on gas turbines or fire up the heavy industrial diesel generators, during the peak grid strain, they pump fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides into our neighborhood air. Environmental health models estimate by the year of 2030, the air pollution from these facilities will cause over 600,000 more cases of asthma. and 1,300 premature deaths. That is annually across the nation. We are paying for the computing power of our respiratory health. Finally, they quietly distort our local economy. While they don't create permanent local careers, their massive temporary construction crews, often thousands of transient workers, bring in from out of state and completely saturate our local campgrounds, RV parks, and affordable lodging. This drives up short-term housing costs, crowds out of regional tourism, and strains our local infrastructure, leaving our residents with zero economic upside once the workers leave. AI centers are not simple IT offices. They are heavily industrial factories that physically alter our air, our temperature, and our well-being. We must demand total corporate accountability before they break ground and continue in our backyard. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Burns. Next person we have sign up to speak is Mr. Joe DeMoor.

I'm Joe DeBord, and I live at 158 Widener Way, Royal Retreat, Virginia. And I stepped to this podium to address you with regard to several issues. First is my program that I want to enunciate is with County First. This county should be leading throughout southwest Virginia. And we have a little situation with regard to that issue because of our location that we should be there doing that very thing. For example, on our zoning situation, we've studied zoning for years. And we need to go ahead and make a determination as to how we do that. I know one project in the rural retreat area that was put together by Larry and Donna Blevins. And they did their zoning program through the way they set up their deeds on the properties that they sold out on this project. Zoning comes in different ways, folks. I mean, you've got Parker's Parkers as a zone, OK? So this is something that we need to have a comprehensive zoning area in this county because of the simple fact that we've got hodgepodge different operations here. And we need to have it comprehensive set up like that, rather than each individual having to do their own. Number two, I want to take the opportunity tonight to thank the Sheriff's Department and all law enforcement, Miss Alicia and her group with the Recreation Department, and all the staff that jumped in and helped her with that project with the July 3rd program at Royal Treat Lake. That was a huge deal. And people jumped in because of staff shortages and stuff like that to get the job done. That's what Wythe County is all about, period. And that's where we have to support these people in their endeavor to provide programming for us. And I stand behind them totally. And we'll make sure that's the case. Finally, I want to take the opportunity now to... Thank everybody here to support this county and our budget for this coming year. And we look forward to seeing things that are going to happen for us on that behalf. And with that, the clock's up almost there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. DeBoer. That's all we had signed up to speak for citizens' time. I want to close citizens' time. Moving on to the next item is the public hearings. We have three public hearings. Mr. Byer, if you want to talk about the surplus of real property.

I printed those, but I will go to it on the agenda. You want me to read the public notice, sir? That's fine. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 6.05 p.m. To hear a public comment for potential lease or conveyance of parcels in Progress Park or on Chapman Road from any of the following tax parcels, 2761, 2759, 4241, 4326, and 4326N. The public hearing will be held in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, 340 South 6th Street, Withfield, Virginia. Any resident who wishes to speak regarding this conveyance is encouraged to do so at the hearing. Any person who wishes to submit written comments for inclusion in the record should email County Clerk Martha Collins at mgcollins at withco.org or call 276-223-4504 or write to With County Attention, Martha Collins, 290 South 6th Street, Suite 350, Withfield, Virginia.

Thank you, Mr. Bearer. We didn't have anyone sign up to speak for the public hearing for this one, so I'll close the public hearing for this one. Do you need us to go ahead and take action?

There's no action that is needed at this time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

So we'll move on. Yes.

Yeah, basically the lots are the parcels in Progress Park that are unsold, and then the other is the parcels adjoining the Hitachi Energy Arena down there.

You good, Mr. Byrne? All right. Next public hearing we got is the proposed water rates and connection fee increase. Mr. Byrne?

Yeah, pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 15.221119 and subsequent revisions, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. to hear comments on the proposed water rates and connection fee increase. The table lists the proposed water rates. The water rates are basically showing a 5% increase on the current meter base rate and then the associated meter factors in the process. The proposed rate would be for the base is 24.07. And then an increase in the volume rate by 5% as well. The residential volume rate would go from $1,147 to $1,204. The commercial rate would go from $1,257 to $1,320. And the new water connection fee would go from $1,500 to $2,300. The public hearing will be held in the Board of Supervisors Medium Room, 340 South 6th Street, Whitfield, Virginia, 24382. Any resident wishing to speak at the public hearing is encouraged to do so. Any person who requires commendations to speak or any person who wishes to submit written comments for inclusion in the record shall email County Clerk Martha Collins at mgcollins at withco.org, call 276-223-4504, or write to with County attention Martha Collins, 290 South 6th Street, Whitfield, Virginia, 24382. All right.

Thank you, Mr. Byron. We didn't have anyone sign up to speak for this public hearing either. I think we did receive one comment that was anonymous online. I think everybody got a copy of that. Kind of wish that they wouldn't be anonymous, but at least we know what area they live in on that one. But again, I'll close the public hearing on that. Do we need any action on that?

Mr. Chairman, I was gone last week, but I believe the recommendation from the Water Committee was to proceed with this rate increase. It is not a recommendation from the Water Committee, I believe, but I would ask that the board consider increasing these water rates as presented.

All right, I'll entertain a motion to approve as presented. Got a motion by Mr. Morgan to have a second. Got a second by Ms. Crockett. Is there any questions or concerns with this request? One clarification on my part, Mr. Byer. The commercial rates does not include Progress Park. Is that correct?

That is correct. Withfield is the service provider for Progress Park. This does not include Progress Park.

Thank you, sir. All right. With that, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Terry? No. Aye.

Aye.

Aye. No. All right. So moved. Next public hearing we have is the physical year 2027 budget amendment.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia and amendments thereto. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors contends to consider an amendment to increase the FY27 budget for carryover projects for FY26. The general funds and capital projects, $11,113,058. Water fund, $19,687,399. Wastewater fund, $3,287,793. for a total of $34,088,250. Public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th at 6 p.m. or as soon as practical thereafter in the board meeting room, 340 South 6th Street, Whitfield, Virginia, 24382, to hear public comment on the proposed budget amendment. Any persons wishing to comment may appear in person at the meeting, may submit comments via electronic mail to Martha Collins, County Clerk at mgcollins.withco.org, or by mail at 340 South 6th Street, Withfield, Virginia.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Byron. Again, we don't have anyone signed up for this public hearing, so I'll close public hearing. Mr. Byron, we need to take action on this.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I would request, I apologize, I am discombobulated at this point in time, but I should have handed out to each of you all

Thank you, sir. You're welcome, sir. Let's get somebody around here to keep me straight tonight.

The numbers were included in the board package following review with staff and with others. This is the revised sheet. Basically, you know to clarify carryovers are when Projects were either not expended in the previous fiscal year or funds need to be carried over for the next fiscal year. The package has these in them. I'll highlight a few of the large ones that are in there starting on the first page. The reassessment, that's the funds that we didn't spend on the reassessment this year that will obviously have to be spent this upcoming year. The voting equipment for $100,000 that we approved just a couple months ago for Lennon that he doesn't have those that have come in yet. The police activity fund, 31021461260. He's got $210,000 in multiple grants that need to be carried over for equipment. Our revenue sharing road, the connector road, that's the $2.2 million there in carryover. And then 43042 is for the unfinished projects and the courtrooms. The second page has several in the 9,000 item that are our large capital projects that are in there that are carried over. And then on the third page, you get into the large ones in the 1950 and the 1960. That is the water and wastewater departments. For example, the Olive Branch-Dumford Road project, that's $13 million alone that we are simply at this point in time waiting for rural development to give us authorization to bid. Mr. Crisp informed me today that we are still waiting for, I guess, some shortages in the rural development staff. They have not been able to finalize and give us the word that we can go ahead and put this one out to bid. But on the back is the final numbers for everything. The general fund is $9 million of carryover, $9,004,352. The water fund is $19,176,431. The wastewater fund, $2,583,982. And the school fund, $1,947,134. Mr. Chairman, I would request that the board authorize these carryovers and amend and appropriate the same into the FY2027 budget.

All right, I'll entertain a motion to approve as presented. So moved. Got a motion by Mr. Terry. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Martin. Is there any questions or concerns? Hearing none, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Burnett? Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye.

All right, so approved. Aye. Anything else for public hearings, Mr. Byron?

I hope we are done, sir.

You're tired of reading, right? Next item on the agenda is payment of invoices. All board members received a packet of invoices. Is there any invoices that any board member would like to pull out or anything that needs to be added that's not in the packet? If there are none, I entertain a motion to pay the invoices as presented. So moved. Second. A motion by Mr. Martin, a second by Mr. Terry. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none, we'll do a roll call vote, Mr. Terry.

Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. All right, so approved. Next item on the agenda is approval of the minutes from our previous meeting June 30th, 2026. I'll entertain a motion to approve as presented.

So moved.

Got a motion by Mr. Morgan. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Martin. Any questions or concerns about the minutes as presented? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Anybody opposed, same sign. We're moving on to old business. First item we have on the old business is school construction, 1% local sales tax and use tax resolution. I think we have Davenport here, Mr. Cooch.

Thank you, Chair Smith, members of the board, Mr. Baer, and Mr. Hankins. It's a pleasure to be here tonight. My partner and I, David Rose, have served the county over the years as financial advisor and advised on special projects and financings and the like. And we're here to talk a little bit about the 1% local option sales tax, the resolution that you have. in front of you for consideration tonight. Before we get into this, I want to say this is perhaps in my 30 years of public finance in Virginia, this is probably perhaps one of the most transformative new revenue sources that the General Assembly has provided or offered to local governments. to address much needed capital improvements with respect to schools and school construction throughout the commonwealth prior to the enactment of this this legislation this this year with this budget approximately eight to nine localities i think it was nine localities had been offered on a piecemeal basis the ability to do this in each one of those localities that put it up for referendum they all passed overwhelmingly because the realization that that not only does this local tax provide a new revenue source, but also it does pull in more revenues from folks outside of the actual jurisdiction itself. It doesn't put all of that burden on the residents of the county in this case. What I'd like to do is talk a little bit about the analysis we've done and kind of give you an overview of what we've been looking at on page two. um i've said we've been working as financial advisor of the years and we're pleased to talk about the potential impact in terms of our analysis and looking at what it means for with county as we understand it the county has identified about 72 million of upcoming school related projects which could be eligible for this one percent local option sales tax they consist of about a 40 million dollar Spiller Elementary School project 25 million dollar high school renovation project and again a five million dollar athletic field improvement project as well as two million with respect to roof and chiller repair projects as well um the cash flows you'll see here tonight talk about how do we best use this revenue stream and what how could they perhaps afford and allow you to do these projects sooner rather than later um that is to say this revenue stream going forward over 20 years How can we take advantage of that today? And what I mean today, basically in the near term after that potential is enacted. On page three, we looked at key assumptions here. The analysis that we've talked about here contemplates use of leverage, about 20 years of level debt service financing, we've used a planning rate about four and a half percent in terms of interest rates we know that the county is eligible for literary loans but for right now we see there's limited literary fund loan availability to the extent that does become available and available in time for this that would just make this look better in terms of the cash flow because your literary fund loan is is below market in terms of that you have the potential to borrow potentially at a three percent rate but as of right now there's limited funding available for that. So we've run everything at the 4.5% current market rates in terms of that or planning rates. What we also wanted to do is show that if this were to occur as soon as practical, you know, we're thinking about, okay, how would this work on a conservative basis? We can begin this relatively fast. or relatively expedite the projects. We've assumed that the Spiller Elementary School project, the debt is issued sometime in late winter or early spring after the enactment of the referendum and the enactment of the tax. We've then factored in an interest only period for about a year, followed by 20 years worth of debt service. you can see that for the high school renovation the athletic field and the roof and chiller repair we've just staggered that by one year thinking okay maybe it takes some time to roll that through the system and get that up to speed but again we're talking about when the debts are issued you have a little bit of interest only to in ramp up and then 20 years of debt service

I'm going to interrupt him here. While he's got high school renovation, I just want to make certain to point out that is Fort Chiswell High School renovation, just for those that may be listening at home or watching us.

what we also wanted to point out here is we've done some analysis historically on the county's current 1% local option the county does receive that for its general fund so we looked back and this new tax is going to mirror that in certain respects but want to see okay what has been the growth rate in that the county's experienced over time we looked at the growth rate before the covid time frame the county's experienced roughly about 3.8 percent five-year growth trends prior to covid if we look at the growth rate that comes prior to covid and then after covid the 10-year time frame there's a little bit of a pickup you know boost after the covid recovery that growth rate is about 5.4 percent Our analysis does not assume any of the growth rate built into this at this point in time with respect to what we'll call the second scenario. But if we look at this, the 10-year compounded average growth of inflation over this time was roughly about 3%. So if you look at that, relatively speaking, your sales tax has grown in tandem with at least inflation prior to the COVID timeframe. on page four the local option sales tax and what potentially could be received by this as we looked at this we've taken a conservative assumption in this local option sales tax in that if we look at what the county's been receiving to date there's a couple of key things that the county has shares with its current tax one it has to give up part of that tax to the towns based on proportionate share of school-age population so what we've done here and what you see down below in this table the county receives about 5.7 million in local sales tax with respect to the 2025 year that is after sharing a portion of its sales tax to the towns that sharing is about a million dollars So net-net, if we're to look at the county's local sales tax that it receives, that's about $5.7 million after the sharing of that. What does that mean in terms of what could be generated by the new legislation? There is a carve-out or an exclusion that's related to food for human consumption as well as personal hygiene products. That's essential sort of what we'll call daily food and items that need to be purchased by people at grocery stores and drug stores. That's a carved out from this 1% local option sales tax. So when we do the math on that, that's about 10% we've evaluated based on statistical information as reported to the Commonwealth. So what we've done is we've said that 5.7, we've backed it down to about five million in our analysis going forward. Now one thing I'd like to point out is that The other difference is this 1% local option sales tax does not require distribution to the towns. So we think this is a very conservative assumption of 5 million. We've also run a case in here that shows what it would look like close to 6 million in terms of the revenues. We think it's probably going to be closer to that because we don't have to give up part of that to the towns based on this new legislation. Our analysis assumes that based on the timeframe, and we'll talk a little bit about the timeframe beginning with this resolution for consideration tonight, is that that sales tax revenue would come to the county after it's gone to referendum, fully enacted, we pass sort of a waiting period before the revenue collection can begin, that really the tax revenues start with a full year of FY28 and they would end in FY46. A little bit less than 20 years, but it has to do with the way the legislation's been crafted. But we do have that cash flow built into our analysis. And we've assumed that the annual revenues, if you look at what basically they can support, if we just did the math on 5 million, that would support about 60 million of debt at 5%. That's to say if we only had 5 million a year, you could leverage that to about 60 million. We know we have 72 million, so we're going to show you how you can accomplish the 72 million in terms of cash flows. So on page five, I said we ran two scenarios, one with five million, start as a base level. We think that's really an ultra-conservative number. in terms of the initial start, but then we've run a 2% growth, which is less than inflation. The second scenario, we've run a more, what we think is a more likely scenario without growth. So we wanted to show you the potential implications of both and what they may generate. So effectively, showing that cash flow in column B, we're starting with 5 million in 2028, That cash flow grows, that sales tax grows by about 2% a year over 20 years. We know that based on historic growth rates of the sales tax. It's been over that. The county's a big beneficiary of all the traffic through the two interstates that intersect in the county. And over time, inflation does happen. So it lifts up the value of the goods that are sold. So the sales tax would grow over time. So we've factored that into account in column B. We've made a very conservative interest earnings assumption, about 3.5% on these funds, on the funds that are not used immediately. So you're gonna have to, when you think about that, segregate these funds because they're strictly for school construction strictly for renovation any a conservative look at this in terms of an evaluation of the interest earnings on those it's it's in keeping it's our view as well as several legal councils view that any interest earnings on this can be used and should be used to in furtherance of the spirit of the legislation which is school construction renovation and or debt service so we factored that interest earnings into the cash flows as well and we see that when we look at the estimated debt service on the 72 million of projects and again we're looking at the really the Spiller Elementary School kind of leading it off followed basically a year behind with the the other projects in terms of staggering those we see that we have total debt service over the life of the over the life of the projects, roughly about 20 years, and we can see that over time, then the sales taxes collected, the growth and the interest earnings based on a $5 million start, more than covers debt service with respect to these $72 million worth of projects. And you can see that the cash flows, as we look from left to right, we have a little bit of period of time where the sales tax is below the debt service, but we have interest earnings and we have some funds that are coming in before all of this gets started to help us offset that. By the time we get through 20 years, we have more than enough sales tax to pay for the debt service, and there's actually a little bit of a surplus left over. so as we go through time we fully anticipate that the sales tax would grow we provide a little bit of this excess revenue and by the time we get to the end of this this time frame of these projects there could be extra funds to again apply to some more school capital projects based on these cash flows Now, the next page says, okay, let's look at what if we don't have any growth in this. But then we're factoring in the local sales tax at about $6 million. this is a we think a very realistic number as well because if we look at the total sales tax that the county receives it's really about 6.6 6.7 million you know part of that again is then given back to the towns but in the new legislation we don't have to share we being the county don't have to share because all of this is going to school construction you know in the county itself When we take the 10% reduction for food purchase for human consumption as well as personal hygiene, then that number is about $6 million per year. If we were to put that versus the debt service and show that year to year, that's more than sufficient to cover the plan of finance for the 72 million of projects going forward. So we think that even without inflation, if we flatlined it at $6 million, you're still going to be in a very good position, very good shape to be able to fully afford the $72 million without any impact on the general fund. To talk a little bit about what the power of this 1% local sales tax, we wanted to show you kind of the existing debt service, estimated debt service to maturity of the county's existing debt that's not paid from any utility revenues. This is all the tax supported local government debt that really is paid by the general fund. It has gone to county improvements over the years. school improvement over the years and you can see how the estimated debt service declines over time but really goes starts in 2026 at about the 4.8 million dollar level kind of decreases on the next page the point i wanted to make is that when you look at this debt service and on page eight we wanted to show you what the proposed when you layered on for the 17 million projects and when we look at that you notice there's a blue line that goes right down the middle of that that graph that represents what your current budget has built into and if we continue that year over year built into the ability to pay for new debt service you'll see that most of that green line eclipses that current budget So if we were to do, hypothetically, without the 1% local option sales tax, and wanted to do all these projects in this timeframe, rather than waiting 15 or 20 years, at which point the projects may be even more expensive than we're talking about today. This increase in debt service just for the 72 million of projects translates to about 17 to 20 pennies on an equivalent real estate tax basis. That means in order to afford these without the 1% local option sales tax, it would take a tremendous burden in terms of that placed on the residents of Wythe County. And when we think about what this 1% local option means, it really is shared not only with with county but really transient travelers who come throughout the county stop on the interstate like me today pay for that one percent local option sales tax and leave their money in the county for the county to use for these school projects so that is that's the power of the ability of this one percent to really fund this proposed school projects so when we look at page nine just some additional considerations um really kind of summed it up as i've gotten here the one percent strategy really enables the county to fund the 72 plus million dollars worth of projects without using current general fund or future planned general fund monies as they exist today Absent the 1%, we're looking at upwards of a 20 penny increase to really fund that kind of debt service. It's a material step up in debt service that would cause a burden on the general fund in terms of revenue sources right now. the sales tax dollars again shared between with county residents as well as travelers and non-county residents that come through the county on a daily basis and uh... lastly strong credit ratings one percent strategy could further enhance credit ratings if we were to take this and obtain credit ratings with the credit rating agencies, we truly believe this would be a very good feather in your cap in terms of utilizing revenue streams that are offered to you without really placing an undue burden on the county's tax base. Now, on page 10, lastly, the timetable for action. We have this generally here in terms of dates. So the outside date for your board to take this resolution under consideration adopted, if it's not adopted tonight, is on or before August 13th. Why is that important? It's because August 14th is the deadline for the county judge to enter a court order for the referendum on November 3rd to have it in place for the general election. On November 3rd, the voters would go to approve the referendum. If they do approve it, vote on the referendum. If they do approve that referendum, then the next action you have to take is putting into effect an enactment of an ordinance that actually imposes the 1% local option sales tax. That could happen as early after the voters approve the referendum sometime in late November or early December at the next board meeting. As early as late winter or early spring, and I want to be a little bit nuanced to this, you can then put into place, say through, you know, after the tax is enacted in terms of late December, in that timeframe, VPSA has a spring sale. You can participate in that sale, but it's important to note that project that you're funding, you can do some preliminary design costs on it, but you cannot break ground on that project. So you cannot break ground on that project until that tax really becomes effective on or about May 1st. So it doesn't preclude you from borrowing prior to that May 1st time frame, but it's important to note that no actual hard construction dollars, ground can't be moved prior to that May 1st time frame. You can do preliminary design and plans and specs, but you just cannot spend on the project itself. on or about may 1st based on this time frame if not a little sooner the may 1st is the the outside date that we think based on this time frame that that tax would become effective it's effectively the first day of the month is at least 120 days after the adoption of the ordinance then that effectively puts that collection maybe a little bit in june but we're conservatively estimating it starts in fy 2020 That is July of 2027 is the start date. And that is essentially my presentation. I wanted to just kind of share with you our thoughts on the analysis and how it could be affordable in terms of that and how it could allow the county to afford these projects without unduly straining the current revenue base at this point in time.

Thank you, Mr. Cooch. Does anyone have any questions for Mr. Cooch?

Mr. Cooch, do we have any idea how many taxes It is out of town, out of county.

I handed out a sheet to you all, and I am working on trying to come up with that. And it's... It's difficult, but I'll show you what I have put together. What you've got there is in 2025, at the bottom of the page in yellow, you will see we received $6.8 million in revenue, as he was saying. That includes the million plus that goes to the town and everything else. So all our numbers match now. That's based on our population of being 28,000 people. So that's sales tax revenue. That's our 1%. Smith County has a population a little bit larger than ours. They're almost 29,000. They only brought in 3.6 million. So we brought in, you know, 3.2 million more than Smith County did. I will go to Pulaski County, the next one up in orange. Pulaski County has a population of 33,000 people, so 5,000 people more than we do. They brought in $6,023,000, about $800,000 less than what we did in Pulaski County. Grayson's a small county. I'll skip them in the process. I'll go to Carroll County. Carroll County's got 2,800, so close to the same population we do. They brought in $3.3 million in sales tax. and then Bland's another small county in the process. But I divided that out by a per capita just to sort of see what it came out to on a per capita basis. And if you took all of our adjoining counties average, they're bringing in about $116 on a per capita. So if we were bringing in what our adjoining counties are bringing in on a per capita basis, we would only be bringing in about $3.2 million as well. But we're bringing in 6.8. I attribute that to the 77 and 81 traffic that comes through here area and the commerce that we have. So That's the best I've been able to come up with a figure. But I'm still working on ways to come up with figures. And I'm going to the tax sites to do so. But I think this shows it. And I did the whole thing like all counties. And you can see our $242 per capita average is the highest of everything on that list. And that's going up the interstate, Augusta County, and that for and a bunch of those in the process. I didn't do the loudens I didn't do the Richmond's I didn't do that I did the 81 corridor and I did all of Southwest Virginia in the process just showing that the 242 is higher than the average day the rest of them that tells me that that outside traffic that outside tourism yes it is some the adjoining counties you know if you come to Wytheville or Fort Chisell area to shop we're getting that but I attribute it and I think that we could probably say at least 40% of what we would get in this sales tax would come from the visitors and commuters coming to our area.

Mr. Mayor, just to add to that, I know we had the conversation. The last numbers we had from VDOT was roughly 60,000 to 70,000, somewhere in that range of vehicles a day goes through this county, correct?

And that's just on the overlap area there as it is. Yes, sir.

And if I can say a couple of things. One, this is an excellent analysis. I wish I had come up with it. I think this is a very good proxy based on some other anecdotal evidence I've seen. It's really hard without having access to all the detailed data. And even though when you get the detailed data from the Virginia Department of Taxation, maybe your commissioner of revenue or your treasurer has access to some further details. But I think this is a very good proxy when you look at in comparison to the other localities that are on Interstate 81, as well as when you know the economic development with counties had on these two interstates. This makes a lot of sense in that respect.

Any other questions? Everybody good?

Mr. Koetsch, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Koetsch. Mr. Chairman, if I might, we do have Dr. Street. Mr. Tommy Ack and Ms. Billings from the school board here with us tonight. The school board did adopt a resolution at their meeting last Thursday night. Mr. Hankins went to that meeting. I don't know if Dr. Street would like to make any comments or not, but I have handed out a copy of that to you all as well, that their board voted in support of the county considering adopting a 1%.

Do you have anything, Dr. Street?

I will say that our board was in support of our citizens being able to put this on the ballot and make that choice to consider. It's very impactful for the school system, for our kids, and for our teachers and staff. I think that's a big deal, and I saw the quick turnaround on that potentially, and that's really big for us. So they did pass that resolution, our board, and was very supportive of that.

I do agree this is the truest form of government it is to let the citizens decide I think the biggest piece for us is to make sure we educate everybody they know everything about what this resolution is and you know what Mr. Cooch presented what it offers to get these projects in that's well needed projects for the county I mean I know I'm preaching to the choir to the three of y'all Me and Ms. Billings, we talk quite often about some of the issues and this would take a lot of the issues and with county away as far as school facilities. Yes, sir.

And I believe that this would save us money in the long run as a county. You know, you look at the cost is rising every year on construction. If that turnaround is that quick, that's a lot of savings. I feel like, you know, the sooner we do it. So I feel like that's huge savings.

And the projects on there, I mean, Spiller is basically designed. I mean, it's ready to go when we can get everything in place. But at $40 million, that takes a huge real estate tax increase alone. And that means to do the Fort Chisell High School project, not long thereafter, that's another tax increase there. Or you have to wait until you've paid off some additional debt. And that kicks that on down the road. And it would be ideal to get that done. The athletic field improvements are a thing that this gives us the ability to get some money. As most of you all know, our baseball fields and softball fields are not lit. We are not able to host regional, probably even district, I don't know. I know we can't hope regional and state Matches because we do not have lit fields and it creates problems in the spring with them in a process This gives us the ability to include money in here to go ahead and take care of lighting those fields and improvements to those fields Miss Tommy act probably agree with me. We don't have any home track meets at all anymore because none of the tracks in and with Kelly and It's hard for me to say this. I mean, the rural retreat track was new when I was a young man. And I never had an away meet, because that was the nicest track in the Hogehege district. Wytheville was very similar. They had an eight lane track, and that was the Mountain Empire did all their stuff there. But those tracks are old, they're concrete or pavement. They are not what the rubberized surface that you need now. It would be great to have adequate surfaces for that. Any practice field surfaces need to be repaired. Things like that in the process. This gives the ability to put funding towards that in the process. So I appreciate what Mr. Cooch said. It provides this as an opportunity For the citizens to vote on it, it keeps it from having to be a real estate tax only on with county citizens. And I agree, we've got to educate in the process.

Yeah, and it'll allow us to free up other money for other projects like water, sewer, and other areas that we need to focus on as well. So I think it's a...

as well one last comment from me on that is is if if those two large projects are completed for us and those athletic fields and all those things that we are are big needs for us that also gives us the ability to take care of a lot of little things that are other schools and and in the meantime so that's that's really big time for all our schools not just the two cool thank you sir

So Mr. Chairman you have a resolution in front of you I have reviewed the resolution with Scott Farley is on vacation, for those of you that don't know Don Martin. He's been here before, but works with Scott. He has reviewed it. We've shown a rough view to Attorney Roland Cooch here, and if you know him, we've shown him as well. If the board so desires, I would recommend that you all consider adoption of this resolution to put this on a referendum this upcoming November election.

I'll entertain a motion to approve the resolution as presented. So moved. Got a motion by Mr. Terry to have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Morgan. Any questions or concerns? One thing, and I will make, just so we have clarification, we're not approving this. We're approving it to be put on the ballot for the citizens of Wythe County to vote on in November. So just make sure that was clarified. With that, we'll do a roll call vote, Mr. Terry.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. So approved.

Mr. Chairman, if I might before you get. Thank you, Mr. Cooke, for your presentation. Before Dr. Street may possibly leave, would you mind if I have him come up and give you an update on the cannery, sir? That's fine. I think that would be more than happy. I think there's been a lot of questions.

I first want to say, and I didn't say this earlier, but I appreciate the relationship that we've had. I came to the division in 2016 and the Board of Supervisors have always been very kind and supportive of the school system and education in this county. And so as a new citizen, as of June, superintendent I just want to extend that and anything I can do or our school system do to be a partner to the county we want to do that and part of this would be and we'll give you an update on the cannery situation we did test it out we had a group that used typically uses this and manages it to come in and this is what our inspector asked us to do they did turn they did fire it up use it and it works so that was the big step in it as soon as he comes back and approves we can go ahead and function with the cannery and open it as we were. So hopefully the plumbing and everything will stay put for the season coming up. And I think we'll be just in time, I hope, for them to be able to utilize it. So we're looking at the 17. That was our goal. And I think we're going to be able to make that happen.

Good deal. That's good news. All right. Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Next item on the agenda under old business is Liberty at the Lake recap. Ms. Sides? Sides, I'm sorry. Hi again.

I don't know why everybody keeps giving me a microphone. I clearly do not need it. I'm loud enough without it. Yeah, so we had Liberty at the Lake on July 3rd through the 5th. First time we had fireworks since, I believe, 2011. 2012. 2012. I think it went well. We did an impromptu emergency management situation control center. Happened on Saturday, so tested that out. We're all good. But yeah, fireworks on Friday night. I think that was the fullest. I know it was definitely the fullest I've ever seen the campground. I heard a lot of other people say it was the fullest they've ever seen the campground. Had a couple people tell me they could see fireworks from their house in Royal Retreat. So I think we did a good job on that. And all the vendors were very, very happy. They're excited and hoping that we do more in the future, which I plan on. I've heard good things from the community. Campground is doing fantastic. We raised our goal from $75,000 to $100,000 for this year, because we've already made the $75,000. Yeah. I'm semi-happy with it.

No, you did a good job there. We were out there. My wife and I, we had a good time out there. However, we did leave before the fireworks went off. That was my doing, so I had to be somewhere Saturday morning and needed to get rest for that. But everybody that's seen the fireworks, they were awesome from what they're saying. Anybody have any questions or comments for Ms. Saenz?

I will. Go ahead.

I just wanted to say thank you all very much. You were heavily involved, obviously, leading the charge, Mr. Hankins, Mrs. Parsons and her staff, Sheriff Klein and his staff. It was a fantastic event. I've had a lot of great comments. And just thank you very much for all your hard work. I know Allison Williams was involved as well. Really appreciate you all for your time and effort and all the extra effort that went in behind the scenes. So thank you all so much for all that you do.

Thank you.

I was just going to say, I was out of town on vacation. It was pre-planned. It wasn't just to get out of all the work on that Saturday. And I've already committed to be here next year. And I am trying to commit to us doing a 5K race so we can both do that next year.

I'm sure there's two other people in the room that would be happy for that 5K.

I don't understand. But we knew it would not go off without glitches. And we'll admit that there were some glitches and some things that happened in the process. But for the first year, being back, it was good. Lessons learned. When I was on vacation and was in the office last Friday, they had a follow-up meeting on it talking about what went well, what didn't went well, what we can do next year in the process. As you all know, you all generously have funded it again in the budget next year, and so we look forward to continuing it and make some revisions and go from there. But thank you all for your support of it this year.

I think our plan is to, over the next couple of months, revise what we're going to do for next year, come back to you with that, and just let you know what our intentions are so we can go ahead and start booking the acts and paying for the fireworks and making sure that we're ready for the event next year.

Thank you, ma'am. We do have one add to the old business. Mr. Hankins, the Give us an update on the joint meeting with the Joint IDEA. I mean, I'm sorry, the Planning Commission, I'm sorry.

Be glad to, Mr. Chairman. We discussed this with the Planning Commission. They've offered a couple of dates. We are, as a staff, still working on making the changes that have been requested. The Planning Commission gave a couple of dates, the 27th and the 20th of this month. If you're interested in doing a joint work session or a joint meeting with them to review those changes, I'm working as hard as I can to try to get those changes made. I'm going to tell you, I don't confidently think I can get it done by the 20th. So I would ask if you wouldn't mind if you consider Monday the 27th as your date for that meeting. If not, I'll do everything I can in my power to try to get it done by the 20th. But it's going to be a stretch.

I'm good with the 27th. 27th is fine. 6 o'clock.

6 o'clock is their normal meeting time. If that works for you all, we'll set it for them. Thank you. I was going to mention, too, we talked last time about the tennis courts or the pickleball courts. We have met with the apparent load bidder on that project and asked for some value engineering. We were hoping to have something for you by this meeting, but we don't. So we'll bring it back to you at your next meeting, probably after a review with the budget committee.

All right. Thank you, sir. Anything else for oral business, Mr. Byron?

No, sir.

You have anything else, Mr. Rankins? No, sir. All right, moving on to due business. FY27 Victim Witness Grant Program, Mr. Byron?

Yes, I have a letter from the, I always do DCJS as their acronym, Department of Criminal Justice Services, for the grant for the next fiscal year. I would request that you all approve the grant. Authorized staff says to sign.

I got a motion by Mr. Terry. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Martin. Any questions or concerns with this request? Hearing none, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Terry? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. So approved. Sheriff's Office, budget amendment request.

Yes, Sheriff Klein is here with us if he needs to address it, but I don't think it's any problem. He wants to move $447,000 into the PAF out of his photo, out of the general fund, the photo enforcement funds he's collected that are unrestricted at this time. For purchase of vehicles, I would request a transfer of 447 from the general fund to the PAF and amendment and appropriation of the same to the lines as shown. So moved.

Got a motion. Was that you, Mr. Terry? Yes, sir. Got a motion by Mr. Terry. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Morgan. Any questions or concerns? Just for clarification, it's 447, not 4.7 million, right? 447. Did I say 4.7? Yes. this one. Okay, no, Mr. Mr. Clowne granted from here to here back there. But for 47 you were mostly still saying that would roll call vote Mr. Burnett. So approved. Virginia Commission for the Arts Grant.

Yeah, this annually we apply. And I don't know how much Ms. Williams worked on this. Collins usually works on this every year, but we apply to the state for funding, which is used for the Chautauqua Festival, and we match that every year in the process. So I would request your all's acceptance of the FY27 Creative Communities Partnership Grant Award in the amount of $4,500.

All right, I'll entertain a motion to approve as presented. So moved. Motion by Mr. Martin. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Morgan. Any questions or concerns? Hearing no, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Terry? Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. So approved. Next item is the RSAF grant award and budget amendment.

Mr. Hankins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. We applied for this grant back in the spring. We have been awarded $82,577.70 from the Department of Health Rescue Squad Assistance Fund. We've used these funds in the past to purchase ambulances for the county. This year we had a need for monitors. Monitors are those things that have 12 leads hooked up to you, and it – does a printout of your condition. It's particularly important for folks having cardiac or vascular emergencies. These also communicate to the emergency rooms. So the data that's been collected during your trip on the back of one of our ambulances gets transferred to the emergency room. so the attending physician can see how to treat you. They are expensive pieces of equipment. The total project is almost $118,000. It's a 70-30 grant, so we've got to supply 30% of that. So I would ask that you consider accepting the award made by RSAF and providing the award. doing an amendment and appropriation for the matching portion of that grant. We do have to spend the funds by September 1st, so it's a very short turnaround, but would ask for your acceptance of that.

All right. Now we entertain a motion to approve as presented. So moved. Got a motion by Mr. Terry. I have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Burnett. Any questions or concerns with this request? Hearing no, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Burnett?

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. So approved. any other new business mr bernard no sir mr haggis no sir all right moving on to board reports first what we have on our agenda is the water committee mr bernard yes the water water and wastewater committee met on july 7 2026 and recommended the following actions number one barrett mill road water project whippoorwill road extension

Approve change order number three, which adds the whipple wheel connection with two inch PRV and 90 days to the contract time.

All right, coming from a committee doesn't need a second. Is there any questions or concerns with this request? Here now with a roll call vote, Mr. Terry. So approved.

Number two, Fort Chisel, WWTP capacity and expansion evaluation. Approve the proposal with the threshold group for the Fort Chisel. WWTP capacity and expansion evaluation. Mr. Bear, would you be able to tell me what those are? Wastewater treatment plant. Just making sure.

All right. Again, coming from a committee that doesn't need a second. Is there any questions or concerns with this request? Hearing none, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Burnett? Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. So approved.

Number three, water connection promissory note revision. Approve a revised promissory schedule reflecting the proposed water connection fee or $2,300 contingent upon the board's approval of the increased connection fee.

Again, coming from the committee, it doesn't need a second. Is there any questions or concerns with this request? Hearing no, we'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Terry?

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. So approved.

And number four, Ingram account approved, an adjustment to the Ingram account as presented.

Again, coming from the committee, it doesn't need a second. Is there any questions or concerns with this request? Your number to roll call vote Mr. Burnett. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye.

So approved.

And that is all for the wastewater and water committee.

All right we'll move on to board reports. Our board supervisor Tom since you got the hot mic Mr. Burnett. Very well.

Mr. Barron, I believe you responded in the email about the DEQ report at the lime plant.

Yes, sir.

And I'm thinking the response was that that's with the DEQ and the person or persons requesting that. Would we be able to follow up on that? I think I've lost it in my emails.

Yes, certainly. I can send an email chain back out to you, and then we can check with DEQ and see if there's any other additional. Very well. action that has been taken or communication.

On the 17th, would we be able to get a confirmation email that that is live and well? Because believe it or not, that is probably my number one phone calls that I get is when the cannery is coming online. And I would just love to have an email say, here it is. It's working. I know that US Sail has transitioned to T-Mobile. Is there any issues that we've been having? Can people keep calling in or anything, any complaints that you're aware of?

Yes, sir. We have one with the animal shelter. They have different equipment. They've got a modem down there that handles both their phone calls and their internet through that. I have threatened our T-Mobile representative several times over the last few days to try to get that back up and running. I have not heard back from him this afternoon, but I will be with him again in the morning. It's been off or on, mostly off for the last two weeks at the animal shelter. Very well.

And so the last thing I have is I'm in support of the 1% on the referendum. And this is just general my feelings on this. The speed cameras came in, and Richmond allowed us to do that. And we did a lot of good things with it. And then they put stipulations on it. So I'm watching this 1% to make sure that Richmond don't put stipulations after the citizens voted in. And then all of a sudden, we're five years down the road. And then they start pulling money from it. And then we're going to have to increase taxes to make up the difference on them. And so I am watching that. And I'm studying it. Because it would really hurt us if this 1% came in. And then Richmond says, oh, but you can't spend it on this and this, just like they did on the speed cameras. And that's all I've got, Chairman.

DAVID BURRAGE. Mr. Martin?

All I've got is I want to thank the for all the Miss sides, Miss Williams and everybody that was involved with the fourth you guys done an absolute bang up job. Few growing pains, but I was very, very highly impressed and want to thank you for all you've done. And that's all I have.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Morgan.

Mr. Morgan? I've got a couple of things. I got a call from somebody that lives on Barrett Mill Road. I'd like to get VDOT to look at it to see if maybe that road needs to be paved.

Barrett Mill? Barrett Mill, yeah.

The other thing I got a question about, I know we talked about this, it's been a while back, but the software for the treasurer and the, what's the other office? Commissioner of Revenue. Commissioner of Revenue. Yeah. What's happening with that?

um basically uh you all had presented a uh an agreement to the commissioner and the treasurer um and they both rejected that agreement at that point in time uh there has not been any any discussions or further at that point in time if you would like for us to uh Start negotiations or discussions with them about that software. It's about a half million dollars for that software project. We can start those conversations again if the board is wanting to do that.

I think we need to start those conversations.

I think at this time we do. The feedback we're getting from surrounding counties that's got it or getting ready to implement it is we actually need that.

I'd be glad to.

That's all I have. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Mr. Perry?

Yeah, it's probably going to make a couple of people mad, but just bear with me. So for Mrs. Burr said it was up there talking about the science and how it's warming the earth and all this other stuff. Just so she knows, that's coming from the same scientists, I'm sure, that said that we're going to melt all the ice caps with global warming and all that other stuff. I'm tired of hearing it. Let's deal with facts, people. Bring some facts and drop it down. We as a board, I've said it once, I'm going to say it again, we live in this county. We're not going to do anything that is detrimental to our county, to our people. We live here, our families live here, my grandkids live here. I'm tired of hearing that aspect of it. The water. Where are you people at that's complaining about the water when the Blue Star Project was announced? That's 1.5 million gallons of water a day. We're talking 3,000 gallons of water a day the data centers are going to use. I'm tired of hearing arguments. Organize and get some facts. I want facts, not what we're getting. And that's all I've got, Mr. Chairman.

You sure?

Yes, sir.

For me, I had a software as well since Mr. Morgan's already talked about that. I do want to thank you again, Alicia and Sheriff and Ms. Parsons and everybody else that was involved. Mr. Hankins, everybody that was involved with Liberty of Lake. I know it took a lot out there. I finally got to meet Karma. If you haven't met Karma, you need to meet Karma. And if you don't know who Karma is, see Sheriff Klein before he leaves tonight and he will introduce you or at least tell you who Karma is, which I'm about to. So thank you all for everything that you did at the lake. I do want to recognize Sheriff Klein and Karma, our newest, one of the two newest officers that we have. She has already paid for herself. She made her first drug bust, from my understanding, last week or early this week. And we do want to recognize her. And if you haven't seen her, she's a beautiful dog. I'd love to have her as my own, but she is doing work for the county. So real pleased with that. On that one, and then Mr. Byer, I know if you could, if you could follow up with VDOT to make sure that they're keeping Red Hollow Road, our bottom, he's holding up his end, keeping that road clean from all the debris that he's bringing out from the ag that he's got down there. All right, that's all I've got. Does anybody else have anything? You have anything, Mr. Berger?

Now, we do have a closed meeting, Mr. Chairman. I would request that we go into closed meeting under the 2.23711A3, Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property, East Whitfield and Fort Chisell Districts.

So moved. Got a motion by Mr. Terry. I have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Martin. Any questions or concerns? Mr. Terry?

Aye.

Aye. Aye. So moved. So approved. We are now in closed session. All right, I will entertain a motion to come out of closed session. I've got a motion with Mr. Terry, a second with Mr. Berndt. Roll call vote, Mr. Berndt. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. We're now in open session. Mr. Terry, would you read certification? Yes, sir.

Excuse me. Maybe I will. Whereas the Wythe County Board of Supervisors has convened a closed meeting on this state pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Info Act. And whereas Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors that such a meeting was conducted in conformity with the Virginia law. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, whoever certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge, on the public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by the Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening of this closed meeting were heard, discussed, and are considered by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. And I'll make that a motion, Mr. Chair.

All right, do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Morgan. All in favor? Let's do a roll call vote, Mr. Terry. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. So approved. Mr. Barron, is there anything else to come before the board?

Mr. Chairman, as you prepare to recess, which you will need to do a recess now since we are meeting on July 27th at 6 PM, two items, and I will follow along with Mr. Vaught used to do this. There were two deaths that happened today or yesterday in the process. Mr. Martin gave me a call. A longtime town manager of rural retreat, Raymond Matney, passed away today. And at the same time, Ms. Beth Pendleton, here in Wytheville, passed away last night or this morning. And Ms. Pendleton's tie-in is she is the one that painted the Wythe County seal when they did the seal years ago, and there's one in my office that's it. So if you don't mind recessing in honor of those two individuals tonight, I would appreciate it.

Mr. Matney and who?

Mr. Raymond Matney and Ms. Beth Pendleton. Edmund's wife. Edmund's wife.

Yep.

Now, he passed away probably for the last six months.

Yeah, right about Christmas time. Yep.

All right. Nothing else. Mr. Hankins, do you have anything to come forward on the board? No, sir. Mr. Martin? No, sir. Ms. Nestor? No, sir. All right. Hearing none, we will be recessed until July 27, 2026 at 6 p.m. in honor of Beth Pennington. And Ray Matney. We are now recessed. Thank you.