[7:55] Also let let it be known or let it be reflected that we have
[7:59] a full quorum of seven tonight.
[8:01] And with that I will ask Mr. McConnell to do our prayer.
[8:06] And if you're able I ask you to please stand and join me Most
[8:12] graciously, Heavenly Father we come
[8:14] tonight giving thanks and praise for all the many wonderful
[8:16] Blake's things you've given us.
[8:18] We thank you for this wonderful county.
[8:20] You've given us the opportunity to take care of
[8:23] and keep ppl safe and keep everything for us.
[8:27] We thank you for the men and women
[8:29] who keep us safe wear fire and rescue our police
[8:33] officers, our men and women and women in the armed services.
[8:37] We thank you for them giving you their time and livelihood
[8:41] to be able to keep us safe.
[8:43] We now ask you to be with us as we go through this meeting.
[8:47] We ask You to help us to say and do
[8:48] the things are pleasing in this light and jesus name.
[8:52] Amen I pledge allegiance to the flag
[8:56] United States of America and the Republic for which it stands.
[9:01] One nation under God, indivisible,
[9:05] with liberty and justice for all.
[9:09] Thank you, Mr. McCollum.
[9:10] Yes, sir next will be the approval of the meeting agenda
[9:16] Does anybody have any additions or anything they want to delete
[9:22] ?
[9:23] Move for approval.
[9:24] Have a motion by Mr. Carr.
[9:25] Second by Mr. Matlock.
[9:28] All in favor ?
[9:30] Motion carries 7 0. we'll have the presentation
[9:35] from vdot and our invite mr. Matthew Lewis to the podium.
[9:39] Welcome, sir.
[9:42] Sir.
[9:43] Appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight
[9:46] and appreciate the great relationship
[9:47] we have with each One of you all and reaching out and saying.
[9:51] So Provided a quarterly report for y'all.
[9:54] We'll go through it tonight.
[9:55] Some of it hadn't changed.
[9:59] And course like always, some of your new Matthew Lewis
[10:02] and the rest of you may have straighter.
[10:04] I haven't in racing we cover Washington,
[10:05] Smith County Got Derek Dotson with me
[10:08] now he's assistant residency administrator writer
[10:11] and then PM he's she's our assistant wrestling engineer
[10:15] So this.
[10:16] This is the team that takes care of Washington's Smith County
[10:19] along with we've got our very headquarters and things as well.
[10:23] But looking at the report we still got the road closure
[10:28] of Road Creek Junction.
[10:30] There's no change in that.
[10:32] But also, there's no homes impacted.
[10:35] So hopefully works moving forward.
[10:36] There As far as maintenance activities of course,
[10:41] we continue mowing operations.
[10:43] That's taken up a lot of our time.
[10:45] We'll be talking more about that here in a minute.
[10:48] Pothole patching We are doing some motor grader patching
[10:53] and Holland Stone machine and stabilized routes
[10:57] which is the gravel roads.
[10:59] But Mike's operations ditch clean and tree removal brush
[11:03] removal tree trim and just a lot of activities that kind
[11:06] of encompass.
[11:07] This time of year, we have done some dust
[11:09] control some pipe replacements.
[11:13] We've had some minor sinkhole repairs and then
[11:16] some slide and slope repairs as well Right now, as far as right
[11:20] away mowing, we and again, I'm going
[11:23] to get into this a little bit more detail here in a moment,
[11:26] but we did complete our first cycle primary
[11:30] We got those done prior to Memorial Day
[11:34] and then the second cycle in the primaries is complete.
[11:39] But we're only about 50% complete
[11:41] with our second cycle on our secondary
[11:43] is we did mow route 19 again, I think last week.
[11:47] So that Third cycle's done on that previous request.
[11:53] And comments.
[11:54] I went back, you know, were we only
[11:55] count once a quarter some of these dug some back pretty deep
[12:00] and some of them, you know, shamefully
[12:03] sometimes even probably gotten some potholes back
[12:05] in them since then.
[12:06] But we had to different complaints A lot
[12:11] of potholes on here.
[12:12] McGee Lane Hill and all North Fork River Road Green Spring
[12:17] sinking Creek, Maiden Creek.
[12:19] We have got those completed And like I said, some of them.
[12:23] This is from a few months ago We did complete some boom
[12:27] action on Arrowhead Lane and some asphalt patching on North
[12:32] Ridge road and brush removal and then some also some patching
[12:37] on Greenway And I think they did complete the mowing
[12:41] down Hillman Highway The Johnson grass was getting pretty bad.
[12:44] There.
[12:45] I think they completed it just the last few days I don't want
[12:49] to tell because I do feel like we probably have a great
[12:53] relationship with each one of y'all and that was one thing
[12:56] that Derek can pay them.
[12:58] And I talked a year ago was coming
[13:00] into this is we always try to be honest and lay out
[13:03] realistic expectations And I'll just tell you,
[13:06] between the rain and now the sunshine and stuff,
[13:11] the Johnson grass obviously is just completely took over
[13:15] And we've got one area headquarters in particular.
[13:18] It's very, very behind on mower And we laid out
[13:23] earlier about a month ago, we laid
[13:25] out a very comprehensive plan for these guys
[13:28] next year because one, we don't like to receive calls
[13:32] and we don't like seeing that either.
[13:34] Our families driving the roads and school starting things.
[13:37] So for next year, we've laid out in the course,
[13:41] we're playing catch up this year,
[13:43] but we really feel like we've probably laid out one the best
[13:45] plans ever going forward.
[13:48] And we've already laid it out for the guys
[13:49] or expected them for next year.
[13:52] We're going to know the primary routes prior to Memorial Day.
[13:56] We're going to long prior to July Fourth weekend
[13:59] and then we've set expectations that they're all
[14:03] mowed the third time before school goes back in session.
[14:06] So that date, obviously will move based on school.
[14:09] And then we laid out the secondary routes are going
[14:11] to have to be mowed prior to July 4th for the first round
[14:15] and then prior to September 1 for the second round.
[14:18] Because one thing, the way our budget
[14:20] works we like to throw out money.
[14:22] And Derek actually did this past week to give these guys money
[14:27] to go out and asphalt patch and things starting September 1st
[14:31] before we get into winter.
[14:32] So we want to have that mowing wrapped up.
[14:34] So we can concentrate and get back on some of these roads
[14:37] and try to recruit improve the road conditions before winter.
[14:41] So we understand that we're behind this year
[14:43] and to be honest with you, there's
[14:45] we pushed on to get called up.
[14:47] I would imagine that we're probably still
[14:49] when we went into October, but next year we've
[14:52] laid out a very strict plan with these guys that are expected
[14:56] in his third meet period.
[14:58] And we really believe that it's going to really help you
[15:02] all, help us help the citizens and brings to and along
[15:07] with that, one other part is we actually put a number on.
[15:12] So people can call the vdot and turn in potholes and things.
[15:18] And we get those work orders We have
[15:20] us of substantial amount in Washington County
[15:24] And so we put a number on those.
[15:26] So we told them by next July 1st of 2027,
[15:29] here's what their number has to be or no more can be less.
[15:34] So we've really tried to tighten things up.
[15:37] So we're really looking ahead to next year.
[15:39] We understand we're behind this year
[15:41] and it's not acceptable to us either.
[15:43] So I want to be honest with you all tonight and say, you know,
[15:46] I hope we're looking a little different this time next year
[15:50] So with that, the construction update, just
[15:56] some things kind of going on in the area
[15:58] The Route 1212 bridge replacement that obviously
[16:03] the construction is underway.
[16:04] It's actually coming to a completion there.
[16:07] I got an email just recently I think
[16:10] they're prepping for being able to reopen that very soon out
[16:15] here on Route 90 and how that's under construction
[16:18] with the completion date of next summer, June of 27,
[16:21] the Thompson Drive, Stanley Street Roundabout
[16:24] While the construction is underway it's
[16:27] our understanding that I think they're still
[16:29] working through some details, but that
[16:31] may pose during school time.
[16:34] So that's kind of pushed out until next summer as well.
[16:37] June 20th 27 for completion and that's due to some closures
[16:41] and things.
[16:42] And then the Route 11 old Airport
[16:44] Road the big hump as everybody calls it, going at exit Seven,
[16:49] going over to Walmart and Sam's the notice and proceeds
[16:53] being given.
[16:53] We think they've even hung maybe a few signs,
[16:56] but the completion date, we don't
[16:57] think any dirt's been ground's been broken
[17:00] or anything but December 20, 28 on that project
[17:04] to be complete as far as that one corridor, the only
[17:09] real project, we've got left is northbound
[17:11] that the 9.1, the bridge rehab that's under construction
[17:15] with the completion date of May 2027,
[17:19] I won't go through every one of these.
[17:22] You've got them.
[17:24] But as far as the latex routes that we completed in the county,
[17:29] everything that was on the waiting schedule
[17:31] has been completed as far as we know.
[17:33] So the latex is complete.
[17:35] The plant makes complete Besides the ones that have,
[17:41] there's still quite a bit of paving on 19 and 58
[17:45] that we haven't even really gotten the two week.
[17:47] Look ahead.
[17:48] There So that's kind of to be determined.
[17:50] But it will be done this fall for sure Some of the ones
[17:54] that we have received like a two week.
[17:57] Look ahead, I'll put those dates.
[17:58] So down like it, Chip Bridge Tobias Drive, Macand Road,
[18:04] some of those.
[18:04] And again sometimes we get this information and i think
[18:10] McCann's even done, but we get some of the information
[18:13] a little bit late.
[18:14] So this was the most accurate we had.
[18:15] But again, all of this will be complete
[18:19] before we enter into the fall.
[18:22] And then the road rustic projects, you know,
[18:27] excited help with the board And we pushed
[18:29] some things ahead and things.
[18:30] So Hiawatha Road, obviously completed has been complete.
[18:35] Rammer is under construction Schaffer Town
[18:39] and Moore Creek Road are both 95% complete.
[18:42] So we're getting very, very close on those.
[18:45] The rush creek part one and twos and the design phase, the folks
[18:50] reviewed it last week.
[18:52] We've identified a few pipes that we need to replace,
[18:55] but it'll be ready to paint not long after that And then
[18:59] Blevins Road was one that we bumped up
[19:02] that had hurricane damage.
[19:04] We had to turn it in under the environment No review once
[19:07] that's complete that will be ready to pave as well
[19:10] And then just looking ahead to next year,
[19:13] Arrowhead mary's Chapel and Horizon Drive,
[19:16] we're reviewing those right now to get them ready.
[19:18] So we can start all those next year
[19:22] And I went through that pretty quick,
[19:25] but seen by heavy questions or anything for us.
[19:30] Can we add some to I like to.
[19:34] Yes, sir.
[19:35] So it works out here You know, for Hillman Highway
[19:39] there's a lot of potholes and most of them
[19:41] are right where the the trees shaded Don't know
[19:46] the potholes have been patched.
[19:48] But then they all stay very long and lots of moisture
[19:51] under there.
[19:52] There's just not land hold or what.
[19:53] But if you can look at it again.
[19:56] So it works good Mr. Chairman Yes, sir.
[20:02] First comment.
[20:03] This is fantastic.
[20:04] Thick and really helpful.
[20:06] Yeah great format.
[20:07] I can understand it.
[20:08] So a lot of work done and I know the weather
[20:13] You can't control the weather.
[20:15] So.
[20:15] But appreciate you all.
[20:17] And I do have one constituent called me.
[20:19] And I thought we put this request in.
[20:21] But about.
[20:22] And it's not very long as young drive Bristol or in my district
[20:27] and the trees are just kind of overhang and rural
[20:31] real bad over the road.
[20:32] So although those trees are pretty
[20:34] close to some of those houses.
[20:35] So some of the residents the ones that are live right there,
[20:39] may not want it trimmed, but everybody
[20:42] else who drives through there they're
[20:44] in their cars and their trailers are getting hit and stuff.
[20:47] But but anyway.
[20:48] But again appreciate all the hard, hard work and battle
[20:53] in the weather and Yeah.
[20:54] And love the communications.
[20:56] So thank you.
[20:57] You for their comments But I talked to Matthew earlier
[21:01] I just want to thank you again for your work on McCann Road
[21:03] there.
[21:04] But there are holes in high school
[21:05] and all the work in our district my district.
[21:08] Thank you.
[21:08] You, sir.
[21:09] Thank you Your comments just Matthew,
[21:13] Emily Brandon of new this actually
[21:16] met you or spoken to you.
[21:17] Thank you. you for this excellent Do you
[21:20] all still care and us expand your seat.
[21:23] Be that.
[21:24] Yes we a few of new.
[21:28] Am I going to work for me that for years and i can just
[21:31] remember him that he had a brush axe and people that just uptown
[21:34] and you can see the stop sign he got out
[21:37] of the truck like his own brush right You know.
[21:45] Good, good suggest That's right And if not, it made him laugh.
[21:50] And have an okay.
[21:51] That's right.
[21:52] Yeah as far to you can appreciate
[21:56] that comment I just like to.
[21:58] Oh go ahead eagle.
[22:00] I just want to thank you.
[22:02] You're always right there when we need you.
[22:04] And I appreciate i needed a lot, so I appreciate communication
[22:08] with you.
[22:09] So as always, as well.
[22:10] Thank you for what you do.
[22:12] You always ask for calls and you if you work as
[22:16] hard as you can to get it done.
[22:17] And we appreciate that.
[22:18] And this is good information Thank you.
[22:20] Oh, yeah, I think it's great I have a plan.
[22:23] Appreciate you all putting that together.
[22:24] I mean, that's that's helpful there.
[22:26] And then it gives everybody a target to shoot at.
[22:29] And that's good.
[22:29] And then we can actually tell our constituents stuff
[22:32] because I mean, I think most of us
[22:34] here are number one, call something with the dot.
[22:37] And, we we appreciate all we all do Most people along I
[22:42] don't understand how it all works kind of have
[22:44] to explain stuff to people.
[22:45] But Yeah, I've done a great job, gotten
[22:47] a lot of things done this year on different fronts
[22:49] and hopefully we can continue on in the future.
[22:53] Well, and again, many thanks to Derek and pam, too.
[22:58] But Derek rolled out.
[22:59] We've had two guys probably for the last month rolling in
[23:03] and work plan.
[23:04] They weren't really used to that They're rolling in plan work.
[23:08] Now what they're planning the week ahead
[23:09] and that helps us answer.
[23:11] You all.
[23:11] And again, we rolled this other plan out
[23:14] to all for a about a month ago for next year.
[23:17] And told them.
[23:18] And a lot of who's been working hard already
[23:20] try to gear up for that.
[23:22] So we still got work to do, but we're
[23:25] we're definitely we know it.
[23:26] We hear it, too.
[23:28] So we're not done yet.
[23:29] OK Well, appreciate your being here tonight.
[23:31] Thank you.
[23:32] You.
[23:32] All right.
[23:33] Thank you Next order of business will be public comment OK Okay.
[23:53] So we don't have anybody for public comment
[23:56] Seeing none is then we'll move onto the consent
[24:00] agenda for its pleasure.
[24:02] The board motion to Approve Motion by Mr. Pennington Second.
[24:06] Second by Mr. Hargus.
[24:07] Any discussion All in favor motion
[24:11] carries 7 0 next to be general business input over here to it
[24:32] and First order of business will be
[24:34] the award of corporate procurement for five Nissan
[24:36] Pathfinder for the Sheriff's office.
[24:39] And I will turn it over to Mr. John.
[24:41] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the board,
[24:44] the sheriff's office is requesting the approval
[24:46] of the purchase of Five 2026 Nissan
[24:50] Pathfinders The quotes for these pathfinders
[24:53] are in your board packets as per county policy for purchasing
[24:58] to start over thousand has to go through board approval.
[25:03] The particular procurement method that we utilize
[25:05] was cooperative procurement through a contract
[25:08] with the Virginia sheriffs association.
[25:11] Virginia Sheriffs Association conducts
[25:13] the procurement process and awards the contract
[25:16] can be utilized by state and local governments.
[25:19] The specific Virginia Sugars Association contract allows
[25:23] for this procurement is CMA versus Colonial Mason The quotes
[25:28] provided were for three Nissan Pathfinders for 103,000 for Noni
[25:33] through 40 and two Nissan Pathfinders for 68,095 60
[25:39] for a total of 172,000 for 89.
[25:44] The purchases will be made out of the speed location
[25:47] revenue that is in fund eight and in your consent agenda.
[25:52] You approved supplemental appropriation for a little
[25:56] over 1.1 million.
[25:58] On the agenda tonight Yes, I'll be glad to answer any questions.
[26:02] I will turn it over to the sheriff's office in case
[26:06] you have any questions or if they
[26:08] would like to add any additional information.
[26:12] Welcome, sir Good.
[26:16] Any questions ?
[26:20] We had a little bit of question about,
[26:21] you know, with staff just sort of remind me of the cares Act
[26:24] days of you getting this money and then trying
[26:26] to figure out how to spend it.
[26:28] So can you give us a little background
[26:29] on how you all came up with.
[26:31] So that we may the standards set by the state right the standards
[26:35] that we're going to adopt are grandfathered in.
[26:37] Of course we've all looked at that.
[26:39] But even with this purchases that we're
[26:41] going to be making in the future,
[26:43] we're still going to be compliant
[26:44] with the new laws in 2026, even though we're not required to be.
[26:49] We're looking at speed safety program
[26:52] by using utilizing the equipment that we need,
[26:55] whether that's vehicles, radar equipment, some roads, signage,
[26:59] community police in any kind of publication
[27:02] that we're going to be using That's where most of this
[27:04] is coming from Vehicles, of course,
[27:06] we can't do speed enforcement unless we have vehicles So
[27:10] that's what that we have decided as the sheriff's office
[27:14] that we look at, because that's a huge expense.
[27:16] Everybody understands that right now I
[27:17] mean, the state police, that's that's their biggest
[27:20] expense that they have.
[27:21] Washington County is our biggest expense.
[27:24] So I think the be good stewards of the money.
[27:25] The county money is that we look at the longevity
[27:29] of these vehicles the vehicles that were purchased
[27:32] and they're going to last longer We're going to have them
[27:34] when this program is gone, when we don't have a work program
[27:39] or we don't have things like that.
[27:40] So we really need to be stewards now
[27:42] of what it looks like ten years from now.
[27:44] Washington County, and not just thinking about what we can buy
[27:47] that's new and shiny We need to be looking at what how can we
[27:52] increase our fleet and strengthen the fleet
[27:55] for the times that we don't have this kind of income
[27:58] that's coming in right now, having questions or comments
[28:06] Thank you, sir, for being here So all that given
[28:10] what's the pleasure of the board Vice Chairman,
[28:14] I make a motion to approve the corporate procurement
[28:17] for 172,489 to see on Ace colonial Nissan to be purchased
[28:25] how to speed.
[28:26] Start asian revenue in fund number 008 for motion by Mr.
[28:31] McCall.
[28:33] Second I a second by Mr. Pennington here
[28:35] discussion all in favor motion carries seven zero.
[28:44] Next item will be the award of Cooperative procurement for ten
[28:50] Chevrolet Tahoe for the Sheriff's office presented ms..
[28:54] Tammy start time.
[28:55] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the board.
[28:57] The sheriff's office is requesting the approval
[28:59] of the purchase of ten 2026 Chevy Tahoe
[29:03] as the quote for the tune.
[29:05] I homes is in your board packet again, as per county policy
[29:10] since there are over a thousand, they
[29:12] have to have board approval.
[29:13] The method of procurement will see a cooperative procurement
[29:16] through the Virginia Sheriffs Association Given
[29:19] the specific virginia Sheriffs Association
[29:22] contract to utilize for this procurement is our chevrolet.
[29:26] The quote is for a total of 561,000, one 9980,
[29:32] and the purchaser will be made out of speed.
[29:34] Foundation revenues in fund eight.
[29:38] I'll be glad to answer any questions on the procurement
[29:41] by having questions for the pleasure of the board Mr.
[29:50] Chairman make a motion to approve the Cooperative
[29:53] Procurement for 561 one 9182 our case Chevrolet to be purchased
[29:57] out of the speed citation, review and funds
[29:59] usually have a motion by Mr. Hernandez second by Mr. Hargus
[30:05] any discussion All in favor motion carries seven zero.
[30:11] Next item up, we will be discussing the award
[30:14] of cooperative procurement for equipment fitting for the ten
[30:17] Chevrolet Tahoe for the Sheriff's office Mr..
[30:21] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members
[30:22] of the board The sheriff's office is requesting
[30:25] the approval of the purchase of equipment outfitting
[30:27] 14 of the Chevy Tahoe's the quote
[30:30] for the equipment of seating is included in your board packet.
[30:35] This particular item wasn't over the threshold,
[30:38] but since the Chevy Tahoe is were actually only intended
[30:43] to be approved tonight, I felt it was prudent
[30:45] that I included that up feelings.
[30:47] Also on the agenda because you can't have one
[30:50] without the other.
[30:51] Exactly So the method of procurement,
[30:54] we used was a cooperative procurement,
[30:57] and it was it was through East Coast
[31:00] but it was through the city of Chesapeake's contract
[31:04] The city of Chesapeake actually did a procurement for equipment
[31:08] outfitting, and they awarded their contract to East coast
[31:12] Emergency vehicles.
[31:14] So that's the particular contract for years then is
[31:17] through the city of Chesapeake The quote provided is
[31:22] for 97,007, 5140 and the purchase will be made out
[31:28] of the speed citation revenue in fund eight.
[31:32] I'll be glad to answer any questions
[31:34] if I have any questions.
[31:36] Make sure just transport them to the dealer is under charges.
[31:41] And I will defer this to the sheriff's office Yes.
[31:49] And the principal from there.
[31:51] OK We'll also obviously the contract.
[32:01] Mr. Chairman, I move to approve the cooperative procurement
[32:04] of $97,751.40 to East Coast Emergency Vehicles,
[32:09] LLC to be purchase out of the speed citation in revenue.
[32:12] Fine.
[32:13] 008.
[32:15] Motion by Mr. Matlock of second by Mr. McCall
[32:18] In discussion All in favor motion carries 7 0.
[32:22] Thank you all for being here tonight Next order of business
[32:28] will be the review into approve the 20 2627 Community Services
[32:33] performance Contract Master agreement for Highlands
[32:37] Community Services, with and Ms..
[32:40] Holmes would you mind speaking, you you.
[32:43] Thank you for being here just in time.
[32:45] Thank you for letting me be at the bottom of the agenda.
[32:48] First of all, I got a little lengthy before they'd let me out
[32:51] of there tonight.
[32:53] So I bring to you as you all know,
[32:55] this is the second of a two year contract
[32:58] or the second year of a two year contract with just
[33:00] revisions to the contract that you approved last year
[33:03] The primary changes that I want to highlight for you are there
[33:08] is now a requirement that we report our Medicaid
[33:11] revenue to the Department of Behavioral health
[33:13] and Developmental Services on an annual basis.
[33:15] Not sure why they felt the need to add that in there,
[33:17] since we've already done that for years.
[33:19] And it's official now, there's also
[33:22] a requirement to for us to help consumers apply for Medicaid
[33:26] Again, something that is a standard part of practice
[33:28] for CSP but is now an official requirement
[33:31] There are continued changes to the outcome measures and data
[33:35] integrity processes that we engage in with the Department
[33:41] Where I can share with you is that the department has
[33:44] put a new data system in place and it is not working.
[33:48] So the data integrity issues are not on our end
[33:53] There is language in here fine tuning the use
[33:55] and management of federal funds and some i.t
[33:59] Security requirements.
[34:01] There's also a requirement that we participate
[34:04] in a review of outstanding accounts, receivables and issues
[34:07] with our managed care organizations which
[34:10] there are significant amount of those So that is a process.
[34:16] We've already been participating in.
[34:18] There's a new requirement for new executive directors
[34:21] and chief financial officers and boards
[34:24] to undergo a training with Ph.D.s on how what they're roles
[34:29] are and how they are expected to engage and interact
[34:32] with the department and I would say the biggest change that
[34:38] is in this year's contract is there's now
[34:40] a requirement that any unspent balances you carry over funds
[34:45] we have that exceed 25% of the amount
[34:48] that we were originally allocated.
[34:50] The debt.
[34:51] Basically, we want to take it back
[34:53] They do not want us to keep it in our accounts
[34:57] So we are in the process.
[34:58] Now.
[34:59] Year one, they're looking in our top five accounts
[35:02] and we don't have a tremendous as an organization,
[35:04] we don't have a tremendous amount of these funds just
[35:07] hanging around some boards do.
[35:09] There are some boards with millions
[35:11] upon millions of dollars in unspent carryover funds.
[35:14] That's not us but we have to submit an exception request
[35:18] for our top five accounts for consideration.
[35:21] But next year, they're all fair game.
[35:23] So the intent is to pause ongoing and current funds
[35:28] to until we are able to spend the existing funds that we have
[35:33] in our accounts down to less than 25%
[35:37] to the acceptable threshold Doesn't sound
[35:40] like a complicated process.
[35:42] And to you consider the fact that those
[35:43] are funds that may be there because we've
[35:46] had a slow start up to a program or we've
[35:49] had some vacancies in a program and that prevent us
[35:52] from being able to fully operate programs or have
[35:55] the funds available here in the community
[35:57] to be able to spend the intent.
[35:59] I do believe is to take them back and reallocate them
[36:02] to other areas that might not be quite so judicious
[36:05] in their spending practices.
[36:07] So it will have a it's not going to have a detrimental impact
[36:11] but it will have an impact on us especially
[36:14] moving forward and then can I ask
[36:15] you a question at the speak for the money
[36:19] that the federals are looking at or the
[36:22] adding our money in with it.
[36:24] Come up a figure or are we separate from what
[36:27] they're giving you?
[36:28] So the way that the fees and funds are allocated
[36:31] are we are required to keep everything in separate pots.
[36:34] So we have a percentage that is federal funds.
[36:37] We have a percentage that are that are allocated
[36:39] to state or general assembly funds
[36:41] And then we have local funds them separate right.
[36:45] What we've given you, it's yours Yes.
[36:47] Right.
[36:48] It is not we can't touch it Correct.
[36:50] Thank you.
[36:52] And then the additional piece that on par with that,
[36:54] that is noted in here is they're going to be mr..
[36:58] Barry And I've had a few conversations about these
[37:01] but upcoming discussions statewide on the 10% local match
[37:05] requirements That is something that they're not at this moment.
[37:10] Looking at the code but they are looking
[37:12] at trying to determine what things fall
[37:14] under the things that then count toward localities obligations,
[37:19] for example Matt Rogers, Community Services Board
[37:22] has a geriatrics program that serves the state.
[37:26] It's intended to serve the state, not just the Mount Rogers
[37:28] catchment area So they get funding to serve the state,
[37:32] but then the Mount Rogers localities end up
[37:34] bearing the brunt of that extra 10% to match that state money.
[37:39] So that's not fair to Matt Rogers localities
[37:41] to have to fund those elements when
[37:43] it benefits the entire state and is intended to do that.
[37:46] So those types of things are some of the initial things
[37:48] they're going to look at but they are open to feedback
[37:51] from the individual boards from the localities on some language
[37:55] changes.
[37:57] I think one of the most complex hearted elements in there
[38:00] is that we as a board, if we are unable to make
[38:04] our local 10% match, are the ones that
[38:07] have to request the exemption from the department, when
[38:10] in reality we don't have any control over what you give us
[38:14] any of the local And I think the newer language
[38:16] and legislation that we've talked
[38:18] about that went into effect last year
[38:21] puts any type of exemption request on the locality
[38:24] as being responsible for making the request for rather
[38:27] than the board.
[38:29] So it's just a very difficult difficultly worded arrangement
[38:35] That's hard to navigate all around.
[38:37] So looking forward to seeing where
[38:39] that work group which is what's in the contract
[38:41] currently what they come up with.
[38:45] So by having questions, comments I, for one,
[38:51] thank you for being here.
[38:52] You all address a lot of tough situations in the county
[38:56] and are putting a lot of and put in a lot of bad places.
[38:59] So we appreciate all the work you do as far as the the work
[39:05] that you do with our citizens in our county to help people out
[39:08] and stuff.
[39:09] And also to you, you've done a great job
[39:11] of administering it all.
[39:13] It's a it's a big thing that you're administering right now.
[39:15] We appreciate the work you do on that Thank you.
[39:18] Thank you So with that what's the pleasure of the board
[39:27] Make a motion to approve her motion on Mr. McCall.
[39:31] Second.
[39:32] Second one.
[39:32] Mr. Matlock To hear discussion in favor motion carries 7 0.
[39:40] we'll move on to board member reports Start off
[39:43] with Mr. Hernandez Yes, Mr. Chairman I want to
[39:50] and oftentimes on this board, I talk about personal utilities
[39:54] board, which I'm a member of.
[39:56] We're actually not meet until Friday
[39:58] But I got this from Mr. Bowman today
[40:00] that the State just completed the electrical residential rate
[40:04] study And for utilities, which is most some larger 2000
[40:10] kilowatt, the purview has the lowest
[40:12] residential rates in the state of Virginia on a 12 month basis.
[40:17] And this is the second time they've
[40:19] achieved that award in the last five years.
[40:22] The other three years they've been number two and they
[40:26] are 15% cheaper than the second close.
[40:29] This person.
[40:30] So and 41% cheaper than the average in virginia.
[40:36] So just to give you a sense a typical rate payer,
[40:45] let's say they pay $103 a month Three utility bills in
[40:49] bought a taught county, they would pay $283.
[40:54] So the net result of that to the rate payers
[40:59] in is in the B footprint, which is
[41:04] the city of Bristol US it's $8.5 million per year, saving us.
[41:10] So that's $8.5 million more less that residents have to pay.
[41:14] And you got to presume that's in the pockets of the rate payers.
[41:18] So and then also of course, they continue to score
[41:22] in the top 25% of the country in terms of performance
[41:26] and safety and such.
[41:27] So just wanted to share.
[41:28] Sure.
[41:29] That for Mr. Bowman, I'm just considering whether I've
[41:33] said it all the time.
[41:34] I know I sound like a broken record,
[41:35] but I've been on that board ten years.
[41:37] Considering where they came from and the issues
[41:40] they had ten years ago to today.
[41:41] It's a quite an accomplishment.
[41:43] So and this does affect not all of the rate payers,
[41:47] but 60% of the be the rate payers are in our county.
[41:50] Of course, a lot of them rep but at least Mr. Ball and myself
[41:54] and some of the others, this is our constituent It's so yeah,
[41:59] I wanted to share that and commend Bobby too
[42:01] for continuing to do a great job and keeping
[42:04] the cost Oh, by the way, the commercial rates are also
[42:09] i forgot about that.
[42:11] They're in the top 2 or 3 in the Commonwealth of Virginia
[42:14] Commercial rates as well But our Mr. Brent
[42:20] plans to expand the great screen which yeah,