Loading...
07-15-2025 Work Session - FINAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ WORK SESSION July 15, 2025 VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors' ("Board") Work Session was held on July 15, 2025, in the Board Meeting Room, 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham, Virginia 24531. CALL TO ORDER (3:00 PM) Tucker called the Meeting to Order at 3:00 PM. ROLL CALL The following Board Members were present: Robert M. Tucker, Jr. - Banister District Eddie L. Hite, Jr. - Dan River District Kenneth L. Bowman - Chatham-Blairs District Darrell W. Dalton - Callands-Gretna District William V. (“Vic”) Ingram - Tunstall District Murray W. Whittle - Westover District Timothy W. Dudley – Staunton River District, joined the Meeting at 3:08 PM. ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO AGENDA Motion to add Fire and Rescue Service Agreement to item 8a, Closed Session RESULT: 6-0 (Approved) MOVER: Ingram SECONDER: Dalton AYES: Tucker, Hite, Bowman, Dalton, Ingram, Whittle NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None NOT PRESENT: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion to approve Agenda. RESULT: 6-0 (Approved) MOVER: Ingram SECONDER: Dalton AYES: Tucker, Hite, Bowman, Dalton, Ingram, Whittle NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None NOT PRESENT: None STAFF, COMMITTEE, AND/OR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER REPORTS a. Landfill Gate Fee Adjustment for County Residents Adcock proposed waiving landfill gate fees for county residents to make the service more accessible and affordable. The current fee is $45 per ton, but under his proposal, personal vehicles would be exempt from fees, personal vehicles with trailers would pay half the rate at $20 per ton, and commercial users would continue paying the full rate. The board discussed adding a yearly tonnage cap to prevent misuse, and Mr. Tucker suggested implementing the policy for a one-year trial before reviewing its impact. Since the expected revenue loss would be minimal—less than 1,000 tons per year—the board expressed general support. Adcock will draft the policy for review by the County Administrator before it goes to the board for final approval. b. Update on Water Infrastructure Projects Adcock highlighted three key initiatives aimed at improving and maintaining the county’s water systems. For Water Tank Maintenance, USG Water Solutions was recommended for a five-year, $341,465 contract that includes annual inspections and painting of five storage tanks, pending the County Administrator’s review. The Vista Point Water Improvement Project received a low bid of $199,570 from Falwell Corporation to upgrade aging infrastructure, also awaiting review before moving forward. The Robin Court Water Project, under a $900,000 grant, awarded its lowest bid of $767,698 to Classic City Mechanical and approved an additional $180,000 to use more durable ductile iron pipe. This project, in development for four years, will enhance water infrastructure for residents. Overall, the update emphasized strategic investments in long-term reliability and sustainability through careful financial and technical planning. c. Battle on the Border Donation Request Dalton requested a $2,000 sponsorship for the ODAC Battle on the Border youth livestock showmanship program, noting the county provided similar support last year. He highlighted the event’s significant economic impact, with over 300 hotel rooms already booked, and stressed the value of supporting youth activities. Bowman asked for more details about the program, and Dalton expressed hope that the sponsorship would become an annual commitment. The board agreed to place the $2,000 donation on the Business Meeting Agenda for formal approval, aiming to support both youth programs and local economic development. d. Health Insurance Rate Increase Kim Van Der Hyde presented an update on health insurance rates, noting an overall 9.3% increase for the self-funded plan covering county, school, and Town of Gretna employees, totaling about 1,460 members. To improve affordability, the family plan premium was reduced to $754 per month, the high-deductible plan remained at $17 per month with a $1,000 health savings account contribution, and most other tiers, including Key Care 30, saw the full 9.3% increase. The changes aim to make family coverage more accessible, aid recruitment—especially for sheriff’s deputies— and encourage enrollment in the high-deductible plan. The adjustments will cost the insurance reserve account $169,000, leaving a balance of $290,000, with the total employee health fund at about $5 million. The board agreed that the rate changes are a strategic move to enhance employee benefits and affordability. CLOSED SESSION Motion to enter Closed Session. The Board entered Closed Session at 3:51 PM. RESULT: 7-0 (Approved) MOVER: Dalton SECONDER: Ingram AYES: Tucker, Hite, Bowman, Dalton, Dudley, Ingram, Whittle NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None NOT PRESENT: None a. Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. (1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(8) Subject Matter: Potential Landfill Contract Purpose: Legal Counsel Contract Consultation b. Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or 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. (1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) Subject Matter: Potential Property Donation Acquisition Purpose: Review/Discussion Regarding the Same c. Discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. (1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(29) Subject Matter: Comprehensive Plan Update Project Purpose: Contractor/Vendor Selection and Negotiations Discussion d. Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. (1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(5) Subject Matter: Unannounced Prospective Businesses/Industries Purpose: General Economic Development Projects Update RETURN TO OPEN SESSION & CLOSED SESSION CERTIFICATION The Board returned to Open Session at 7:05 PM and the following Certification was recorded: PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ CLOSED MEETING CERTIFICATION BE IT RESOLVED that at the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors’ (“Board”) Work Session on July 15, 2025, the Board hereby certifies by a recorded vote that to the best of each Board Member’s knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from the Open Meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“Act”) and identified in the Motion authorizing the Closed Meeting were heard, discussed, or considered in the Closed Meeting. If any Board Member believes that there was a departure from the requirements of the Act, he shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the departure. The Statement shall be recorded in the Board's Minutes. Vote Kenneth L. Bowman Yes Darrell W. Dalton Yes Timothy W. Dudley Yes William V. (“Vic”) Ingram Yes Murray W. Whittle Yes Eddie L. Hite, Jr. Yes Robert M. Tucker, Jr. Yes ADJOURNMENT Tucker adjourned the Meeting at 7:07 PM.