Supervisors Look to Future of Departmental Operations, Its Own Goals, Including a Multi-Playing-Fields Rockland Park

On Tuesday, October 8th, at 6 p.m. the Warren County Board of Supervisors held a multi-faceted work session to hear from staff on various departmental issues moving forward, as well as the status of its own goals for the current Fiscal Year 2024/25, and meeting schedule in Calendar Year 2025.

Among the topics covered were the financial and operational dynamics of development of a Rockland Park with multiple athletic fields and facilities; personnel realignment in the Parks & Recreation Department in the wake of the elevation of Tiffany Walker to Director in place of the retired Dan Lenz; Joint development with the Town of a Tourism Committee to coordinate improved promotion of Warren County as a tourist destination; the acquisition of “replacement vehicle” for operations at the County Transfer Station; a detailed update on operations and equipment upgrades in the Fire & Rescue Department; and a decision on whether to hire a Recruiter to oversee the search for a new County Administrator to replace Ed Daley when his planned re-retirement kicks in.

It was a busy work session as the county supervisors got detailed staff reports on a number of fronts. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Below is a portion of the Agenda Packet staff summary of topics covered in the order in which they were presented, except for the Rockland Park project – we bumped that up to the top:

1. Discussion – Warren County Rockland Park Athletic Fields Development – Project Sub-Agreement

Statement of Work includes: Construct two softball fields, two baseball fields, three rectangular athletic fields, concession stand with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible men’s and women’s restroom facilities, refurbish the current bathhouse on the property to make it useable and create additional ADA accessible men’s and women’s restroom facilities, as well as a meeting room for coaches and/or referees. The project will also involve parking, full cut-off lighting fixtures, and stormwater management.

Project Costs: Federal Share (up to 50%) $2 million; Local Share $2 million; Total Project Cost $4 million.

LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Fund) financial assistance is provided to assure that a sufficient quality and/or quantity of outdoor recreation resources are available to serve the present and future outdoor recreation demands and needs of the general public. The Project Title is Warren County Rockland Park Athletic Fields Development. NPS (National Park Service) Authorization Oct. 1, 2024; projected Project End Date Sept. 30, 2027.

1. Discussion – Fire and Rescue Updates

Assistant F&R Chief Gerry Maiatico handled his departmental update with Chief James Bonzano, who reported to be home under the weather.

The Department will provide an update on the proposed Fire and Rescue Staffing and Station Study Proposal and updates on major projects impacting the Emergency Medical Services Program, including the Medication Exchange Program, Operational Medical Director (who is one of the doctors leaving WMH as part of the contracting agency internal dispute); Office of Emergency Medical Services; and Handtevy EMS Management Software Program. Additionally, the Department will provide an update on the Cancer Protection Program as it relates to Personal Protection Equipment:

1. Reorganization of Parks and Recreation Department

Ms. Meadows will provide a presentation and discussion on the current organization of the Parks & Rec Department for FY 2024, as well as the proposed organization for FY 2025.

New Parks & Rec Director Tiffany Walker provides additional detail to Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows report on staff realignments in the department.

1. Discussion – Board of Supervisor Goals and Objectives Progress Update

Review of staff progress on the 2024-2025 BOS goals.

1. Discussion – CY 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting Schedule

The Board of Supervisors will discuss an early draft of the Meeting Schedule for the 2025 Calendar Year.

1. Discussion – Formation of a Tourism Committee

Discussion of the formation of a new Warren County Tourism Committee to more aggressively present Warren County’s natural assets and available amenities both inside and out of town as tourist destinations. After it was observed that “people are driving through Warren County to Page County” as a tourist destination, Board Chairman Cheryl Cullers said, “We’re not putting ourselves out there. We need to be more proactive in promoting ourselves.”

1. Discussion of Asset Replacement Vehicle for Transfer Station

The Finance and Purchasing Department received a request from the Public Works Department to review a cooperative contract for the purchase of one track loader. Section 2.2-4604 of the Virginia Public Procurement Act authorizes the County to cooperatively contract through an HGAC Buy procurement resulting in an award to McClung-Logan Equipment Company, Inc. for this equipment for $67,778.

Staff indicated the quote from McClung-Logan Equipment Company through the HGAC Buy procurement is in the County’s best interest because this quote includes a $32,000 trade-in value to offset the above purchase price, reducing the total purchase price to $35,778 per the attached quote. The trade-in is a 2017 John Deere 331G, previously under the Parks & Recreation Maintenance Department. While this vehicle is still in use, its trade-in value outweighs its benefit to the County, staff reported.

Public Works Director Mike Berry briefs the board on operational and financial details of his department’s pending acquisition of a track loader for the County Transfer Station and a cost-friendly vehicle trade-in offer as part of the deal. Below, County Administrator since August 2020, Ed Daley, may be telling the board he’s ready for his re-retirement at some point in the coming year, whenever they are.

1. Discussion – County Administrator Recruitment

Dr. Daley and the Board of Supervisors will discuss the timeline and procedure for the recruitment of the County Administrator.

Daley has indicated his planned re-retirement will not take him past the December 31, 2025 expiration of his current contract, which began in August of 2020. Discussion indicated the likelihood of the board hiring a Recruitment Company to oversee the application and interview process. Daley called the submitted recruitment/selection schedule “a worst case scenario” stretching the selection process out toward mid to late 2025, indicating his willingness to leave earlier if a viable candidate was selected who was seeking to start earlier than January 1, 2026.

Click here to watch the Board of Supervisors Work Session of October 8, 2024.