County Supervisors Confronted by Multiple Departmental Budget Requests Among Other Topics as FY-27 Approaches

As the June 30th end of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY-26) approaches with final decisions looming on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY-27) budget, at its 1 p.m., June 2nd meeting/work session, the Warren County Board of Supervisors faced a number of presentations related to necessary or adequate funding of departmental and outside service provider budget requests.

Included were presentations by Assistant Fire & Rescue Chief Gerry Maiatico. The first was in support of the Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department and its Chief, Todd Brown. Second, there was an explanation of the economic variables involved in a Countywide Fire & Rescue Department application for two grants issued through the State or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Maiatico explained that the AFG and SAFER grants would support the department’s request for funding for 24 new positions, deemed necessary to maintain optimal response actions for citizens countywide. It was noted that one complication is that FEMA has been shut down “several times recently” due to federal funding cuts.

Chester Gap Fire Chief Todd Brown, left, addressed the board on his department’s issues, particularly the declining number of volunteers. WC Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Gerry Maiatico, right, was present in support of the department’s requested budget. Below, the board considers the options before it, some of which are tabled for future action, including the July 9 board meeting. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

After a lengthy and complicated discussion of potential financial liabilities the County could become responsible for, on a suggestion by Board Chairman Cheryl Cullers, action on the matter was tabled to a June 9 supervisors meeting slated for 7 p.m. It was reasoned that the delay would allow the County time to verify and try to balance all the financial and service variables involved.

Consent Agenda

All items on the five-item Consent Agenda were pulled for individual discussion. Those items and actions were:

K–1. Contract Renewal – BFI Waste Services, LLC DBA Republic Services of Winchester – Alisa Scott, Finance Director; Mike Berry, Public Works Director —

Staff EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: “The County has previously solicited and awarded a contract to BFI Waste Services, LLC DBA Republic Services of Winchester for ‘Solid Waste Transportation and Disposal’ for the Public Works Department in April 2024. The initial term of the contract is for twelve (12) months, with the option to renew for nine (9) one-year terms, for a maximum total contract period of ten (10) years. The initial term of the contract is for twelve months ending June 15, 2025, and the contract was amended to include an additional twelve-month term ending June 15, 2026 …

“Staff recommends the Board approve Amendment #2 to the Agreement between the County of Warren, Virginia, and BFI Waste Services, LLC DBA Republic Services of Winchester, ending on June 15, 2027.

“COST & FINANCING: Exhibit A reflects an increase in costs in conformance with the terms of the original Contract, which allows for an increase based upon the latest 12 months of statistics available for CPI-U.”

On a motion by Hugh Henry, seconded by John Stanmeyer, approved by a 5-0 vote.

K-2. Warren County Sheriff’s Office – Patrick Leahy Ballistic Vest Grant Program —

Staff EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: “The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant through the Patrick Leahy Ballistic Grant Program for a total of $14,767.78. The grant will commence upon the Board of Supervisors’ acceptance and terminate on August 31, 2028. The grant funds will support the purchase of ballistic vests with a maximum match of $500 per vest.

“We request your approval and acceptance of this grant and appropriate $14,767.78 into the Sheriff’s Office Grant Item budget line for fiscal year 2026 and carried over to fiscal year 2027.

“COST & FINANCING: No additional funds are requested beyond what is already approved in the budget.”

On a motion by Stanmeyer, seconded by Henry, approved by a 5-0 vote.

K-3. Contract Modification – Berry Dunn –

Staff EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: “At its April 22nd, 2026  Board of Supervisors Special Meeting, the Warren County Treasurer presented a contract and budget for the FY25 cash reconciliations. Within the body of the explanation and summary, additional information regarding the FY24 cash reconciliations was provided. This agenda item highlights the FY24 contract for cash reconciliation and requests that the Board review and approve the need for a contract modification. The sole purpose of the contract modification is to increase the budget from $100,000 to $140,490.

“This request is to approve a contract amendment and budget amendment for $40,490 for both work completed and estimated work for the FY24 cash reconciliations. As of March 6th, 2026, this contract was over budget by $19,710.00. The reason this went over budget was a scope increase at the county’s request, requiring Berry Dunn to reconcile more bank accounts than the original 2941 account. An estimate of $20,780 is provided, should additional assistance be necessary for preparing for the audit and applying the auditor’s suggested entries to the general ledger after the audit is complete.

“Funding will come from penalties and interest revenue collected through Delinquent Collections in FY26, which, as of 03/31/2026, is $177,253 over the budget of $1,300,000. This means that more penalties and interest are being collected than were budgeted. By June 30, 2026, the revenue is expected to be between $470,000 to $750,000 over budget. It is the recommendation of the Finance Director that a portion of this revenue be additionally appropriated to fund the FY24-FY26 cash reconciliation proposals.

“Berry Dunn has submitted a proposal for a one-time engagement to complete these reconciliations. Their familiarity with our situation, coupled with their proven record of accuracy and timeliness, makes them a strong partner in helping us move forward. Staff recommends that the Board approve the award and contract to Berry Dunn to complete the reconciliation work for the Treasurer’s Office.

“COST & FINANCING: The $140,490 will be appropriated from the additional revenue received from penalties and interest.

“PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: I move the Board of Supervisors to approve the contract modification to the FY24 Berry Dunn Cash Reconciliation contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $140,490.00.”

On a motion by Stanmeyer, seconded by Henry, approved by a 5-0 vote.

K-4. Warren Coalition – Landlord’s Release & Consent —

Staff EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: “The Warren County Community Health Coalition, Inc. (the “Coalition”) is attempting to obtain a loan, and would like the County to execute the attached Landlord’s Release & Consent (the “Consent”) in order to facilitate obtaining such a loan. The Consent, as modified by the County Attorney, would allow the bank to enter the portion of County-owned property located at 538 Villa Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia, that is leased from the County to the Coalition to retrieve certain personal property that will serve as collateral for the loan. The Consent, as initially presented by the bank, would assign the current lease with the Coalition to the bank and modify the lease so that the County cannot cancel it, among other things, that the County Attorney does not recommend.

“The Board of Supervisors approved an identical release and consent on February 18, 2025. However, the bank is asking now that it has approved for 2026.

“COST & FINANCING: N/A

“PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: I move that the County Administrator be authorized to execute the Landlord’s Release & Consent with such changes as are recommended by the County Attorney.”

On a motion by Henry, seconded by Stanmeyer, approved by a 5-0 vote.

Item K-4 was heard prior to K-3 due to the temporary unavailability of other business of the involved staffer, Treasurer Janice Shanks.

Closed Session

Prior to the convening of a 6-item Work Session, the supervisors entered into a Closed Session, originally scheduled to begin at noon, an hour before the Open Meeting’s convening. Under the new scheduling, the Closed Meeting was convened at 4:34 p.m., with the supervisors exiting it at 5:47 p.m. It was a two-topic Closed Session reflected in the following motion:

“I move that the Board enter into a closed meeting under Section 2.2- 3711(A)(1) for the discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, salaries, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of the public body. The subject matter is the County Administrator position.

“I further move that the Board enter into a closed meeting under Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) for the purpose of the provision of legal advice regarding specific legal matters requiring such advice. The subject matter requested is amendments to the County/Front Royal meals tax agreement.”

There were no actions or announcements out of the Closed Session. The board’s June 2nd 1 p.m. meeting/work session, and delayed Closed Session, ended shortly after 7 p.m. that evening.

The WCGC meeting room cleared out during the hour-plus Closed Session, though it wasn’t overly packed during the regular meeting, as shown below during Public Comments.

However, out of Closed Session, moving toward the first topic of the work session, discussion of development of an Economic Development Strategic Plan, Acting County Administrator Dr. David Martin introduced the selected individual, Patrick Barker. Barker took the helm and, drawing on his over a quarter-century of experience in regional communities’ economic development planning, presented his view of this community’s advantages and the path forward under his leadership.

The advisability of the County and Town of Front Royal proceeding in concert was stressed. Former County Director of Economic Development and current FR Town Manager Joe Petty was present early in the meeting, as was current County EDA Board Chairman Rob MacDougall. But it appeared that both left before the work session convened and before Barker was introduced into the Economic Development fray.

See the Examiner’s presentation of the mid-afternoon June 2nd Press Release on Barker’s hiring (below), as well as the promotion of Acting Planning Director Kelly Wahl to the position on a permanent basis.

New WC Director of Economic Development Patrick Barker illustrated that he is ready to enter the picture proactively, leveraging his quarter-century-plus of regional economic development experience to move forward.

Other Business

Other Business included updates from VDOT (Va. Dept. of Transportation) rep Edwin Carter and Virginia Cooperative Extension official Karen Poff. Poff reported on the successful results of the Extension Office’s Financial Education program within the public school system. Carter updated the board on the status of various VDOT road improvement projects.

Virginia Cooperative Extension official Karen Poff and VDOT’s Ed Carter presented reports on the status of their respective companies’ educational and road development projects.

Two speakers, Wells R. Bill and Lewis Motin, addressed the board during the Public Comments portion of the open meeting. Bill’s remarks concerned his and his wife’s eligibility for County Tax Relief based on age and disability. Moten reiterated points he has made about the future course of development in this community during multiple portions of Public Comments at recent County supervisors meetings.

For details on these discussions and board actions, or the tabling of actions on them, see the County meeting video.

Warren County Announces Leadership Appointments in Economic Development and Planning