County Supervisors Fill Vacant Planning Commission Seat, Look to Future on Processes and Capital Improvements

At its Special Meeting of September 22, at 4 p.m., the Warren County Board of Supervisors first interviewed two candidates, David Harrison and Amber Martin, in Closed Session to fill a vacancy on the WC Planning Commission. In the wake of those interviews back in Open Session, Harrison was appointed to fill that Fork District seat. Harrison was approved by a 3-2 vote on a motion by Fork District Supervisor Hugh Henry, seconded by Tony Carter. John Stanmeyer and Richard Jamieson cast dissenting votes with Chairman Cheryl Cullers casting the tiebreaking vote Harrison’s way.

The Closed/Executive Session was underway from 4 p.m. to 5:37 p.m. with Planning Commission interviews ending at 5:10 p.m. Below, from left are Fork District Planning Commission applicants David Harrison and Amber Morris. Harrison won by a 3-2 “split decision” likely indicating two qualified candidates. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

The agenda packet noted that the vacancy was created following Paul Barnhart’s resignation submitted on August 24.

The motion into Closed Session told us this about a second topic discussed:

“I further move that the Board enter into a closed meeting under Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) for the discussion or consideration of the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. The subject matter is the real property located on Country Club Road in Front Royal, Virginia (Tax Map #12——57B & Tax Map #12——57B1).”

The board was joined in this portion of the Closed Session by recently appointed Warren County Director of Economic Development Patrick Barker. There was no action or announcement on this item out of closed session. The Country Club Road reference would appear to indicate the referenced property is about 4 acres in the vicinity of a golf course near other Commercial development on Front Royal’s north side off Route 340/522 northbound.

More transparency

Following the open meeting appointment of Harrison to the WC Planning Commission the board went into a four item Work Session for an update on various Capital Improvement Projects, and presentations on various procedural issues moving forward. A recurring theme of much of the Work Session discussion was making changes to facilitate more and easier citizen access on matters under consideration, often moving toward action, by the county’s elected officials.

Despite the availability of coming meeting topics on the County website at one point Chairman Cullers observed, “We’re continually hearing ‘We don’t know what’s going on’,” and that despite the board’s stated desire to be transparent, particularly on matters of deep citizen concern like DATA Center applications picking up.

Board Clerk Zach Henderson addressed the potential use of social media outlets like Facebook, which many people seem to be accessing these days.

At its 9-22-26 work session the county supervisors looked to the future of meeting processes, citizen applications for vacant, appointed positions, and other impacting variables including rising gasoline prices. Below, Assistant and now also Interim County Administrator Jane Meadows was present to answer questions and summarize work session agenda topics.

Work Session Topics

Cited from the meeting/work session agenda, those Work Session items C.1. through C.4. were identified as:

C.1.  Update on Warren County Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

<Submitted by Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator>

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: The Interim County Administrator and Board of Supervisors will discuss updates on various Capital Improvement Projects in Warren County, such as the Rockland Park Fields, the Royal Avenue Trail and others.

COST & FINANCING: N/A (Not Applicable)

PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: None Required for Work Session Discussion.

C.2. Communication Strategy for Vacant Position Announcements;

<Submitted by BOS>

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: The Board of Supervisors will discuss potential strategies with Vacant Employment and Citizen Appointment Position Communications and posting etc.

COST & FINANCING: N/A

C.3. Meeting Policy & Procedures – Calendar Year 2027;

<Submitted by BOS>

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: The Board of Supervisors will discuss potential changes to the Board of Supervisors Meeting Policy and Procedures. Including but not limited to:

• Determining if any modifications are needed to the schedule, such as keeping the current status quo of 1st – Regular (routine business/work session), 3rd – Regular (public hearings/all business), and if a second Tuesday meeting could be needed for Work Session items.
• The possibility and logistics of interviewing all candidates for citizen appointments regardless of the quantity of candidates.
• Determining time for posting/process for vacant citizen appointment positions and utilizing social media etc.

COST & FINANCING: N/A

C.4. Process for Quarterly Updates for County Departments;

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: Discussion – Process for Quarterly Updates for County Departments

The Board of Supervisors will discuss scheduling and a process for expanding County Department updates to the Board on a quarterly basis.

COST & FINANCING: N/A

The Special Meeting and Work Session was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. For additional detail on supervisor perspectives on these topics see the LINKED County video.

A public gallery shot near the Special Meeting/Work Session’s 6:40 p.m. conclusion. While the room was nearly empty throughout the public knew no final decisions would be made on those four items. So, no need to be present for a vote, there would be none. And, as noted, the meeting video is available on the County website.