Routine Agenda Approvals Before Things Get Volatile During Non-Agenda Public Comments on Library and Park parking

Facing just three public hearings, none involving the volatile Samuels Public Library situation or any other matter of controversy, it appeared the Warren County Board of Supervisors might have a rather routine regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20. But there was still that second Public Comment on non-agenda items looming at the meeting’s end. And it was there, at the 1:07:30 mark, when it began with Aileen Dierig’s remarks in defense of Samuels Public Library, that things began heating up.

However, we will cover that “heating up” in a companion story to be published shortly. But for those of you who can’t wait, we suggest you cue the May 20th County meeting video up to the above-referenced video time mark, get the popcorn, and start watching, as things heated up on several fronts, not just the public library situation.

Here, we will focus on the meeting’s Action Agenda, the board’s votes in the wake of those three public hearings, and the approval of a 10-item Consent Agenda after one item was pulled for discussion by Supervisor Cook. That item was the Sheriff’s Office seeking “Purchase Authorization” for a “Motorola Flex Records Management/Computer Aided Dispatch System”. That item passed unanimously on a motion by Cook following Sheriff Crystal Cline and Captain Charles Brogan’s explaining the impact of the technology upgrade on department operations.

Sheriff Cline defers to Captain Brogan during explanation of tech upgrade request. Below, introductory graphic for what had been Consent Agenda Item L-2 before being pulled. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Public Hearings

1. Public Hearing – Secondary Six-Year Plan through the Virginia Department of Transportation – staff presentation Mike Berry, Public Works Director

Agenda Packet EXPLANATION & SUMMARY:

“VDOT and the Warren County Board of Supervisors, in accordance with Section 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia, will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2031 and Construction Budget in Warren County. Copies of the proposed Plan may be reviewed at the Warren County Administrator’s Office, as well as at the Edinburg Residency Office of the Virginia Department of Transportation located at 14031 Old Valley Pike Edinburg, Virginia. All projects in the Secondary Six-Year Plan eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds.”

Public Works Director Mike Berry, with a VDOT official for backup, summarizes VDOT’s 6-year secondary road plans for the county. Below, graphic summary of VDOT’s proposed 6-year Secondary Road Plan projected budgets.

The Six-Year Plan, 2026 through 2031, and a Resolution of Support was approved by a 5-0 vote on a motion by Cook, second by Jamieson.

1. Public Hearing – Ordinance Authorizing the Payment of Employee Bonus – staff presentation Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator

Agenda Packet EXPLANATION & SUMMARY:

“The 2025 Special Session of the Virginia Legislature included an appropriation of funding for a one-time 1.5% bonus payment for state-supported local full-time employees. The Warren County Board of Supervisors has deemed it appropriate to authorize the payment of a 1.5% bonus to full-time and designated part-time employees.”

An April letter from Va. DSS Commissioner James Williams to Co. Administrator Ed Daley explained the initiative: “I am pleased to announce a new initiative to recognize and reward Local Departments of Social Services and those employees who consistently exceed expectations in processing Medical Assistance Renewals while also maintaining high-quality standards.

“The Virginia Department of Social Services is implementing a performance-based bonus structure designed to incentivize efficiency and accuracy in reducing Medical Assistance Renewals backlogs.

“In order for VDSS to distribute these bonuses, each locality must have an ordinance in place authorizing such payments. We are aware that Warren County does not currently have this ordinance. I encourage you to take the necessary steps to amend or enact an ordinance so your locality can distribute performance-based bonuses to eligible employees and the department in accordance with state requirements … Your local employees play a vital role in ensuring timely and accurate Medical Assistance determinations. We believe this incentive will honor their contributions, help reduce the Medical Assistance Renewal backlog, and most importantly, ensure community members receive the assistance they need promptly. We are ready to provide any guidance or support you may need as you consider this opportunity.”

Deputy County Administrator Meadows explained that including non-state funded employees would result in $272,000 funding, with the County being reimbursed by the State for roughly $89,000. On a motion by Cook, second by Stanmeyer, the board unanimously approved the ordinance facilitating the employee bonuses.

1. Public Hearing – Ordinance Amendment to Warren County Code Section 82-1 and 82-2 – staff presentation Mike Berry, Public Works Director

Agenda packet EXPLANATION & SUMMARY:

“Warren County Code Section 82-1 requires the owner of a property in a sanitary district to pay a new construction user fee at the time of application for a building permit, and 82-2 implies that the building official is to collect such fees. The proposed amendments clarify that the fee must be paid before application for a building permit is made and that the building official is not the collector of sanitary district fees.”

The code amendments to 82-1 and 82-2 clarifying the above details were unanimously approved on a motion by Cook, second by Stanmeyer. It became effective immediately upon approval.

It might be noted that these three public hearings drew just one speaker. That was Lewis Moten, who addressed the board on the VDOT six-year secondary road program. And Moten’s suggestion was a rather light-hearted one that the County change the involved program font, which to him appeared to be “silly”.

It should also be noted that after Supervisor Cullers pointed out she had heard talk that Supervisor Cook was maneuvering to apply for the County Administrator position soon to be vacated by Ed Daley’s retirement (begins with Culler remarks at 18:25 video mark), and might be in line for appointment by her supervisor majority colleagues, Cook had a response.

Cheryl Cullers, near end, and Vicky Cook, far end, as usual were on opposite sides, not just physically on the dais, but on “street talk” that the board majority might be positioning Cook to replace Ed Daley as county administrator.

The Fork District supervisor called it “Fake News” and said she had better things to do with her time once retired from the board at the end of this year.

See these discussions, board and staff reports, and other monthly business in the this County video.