The next action for the Voluntary Settlement Agreement process regarding the City of Martinsville's reversion was for the Henry County Board of Supervisors to hold a public hearing and consider adopting an ordinance that adopts the VSA as approved by the Virginia Commission on Local Governments.
While the CLG made recommendations, it made no changes to the agreement as approved by the Martinsville City Council and board of supervisors in August.
Following the hearing, the board can consider adopting the ordinance.
City council held a similar meeting and adopted the VSA. The board of supervisors held their public hearing at its November 23 meeting.
Board Chairman Jim Adams asked for a motion and the request was followed by complete silence from the supervisors.
“I'll ask once again, is there any motion?” The chairman repeated. Again, there was complete silence.
“Seeing no indication of such,” Adams said. “This matter is tabled for lack of a motion.”
If both had adopted the ordinance, the approval of the agreement would have been filed in a local circuit court and a special court would have been assembled to further consider the matter.
The law allows the city to pursue reversion regardless of agreement from the county.
In other matters, the board:
Awarded a $203,398 contract to Motorola Solutions, Inc., for the purchase of 90 portable radios for the Sheriff’s Office. The radios will be assigned to officers assigned to the new Adult Detention Center.
Awarded a $169,000 contract to Tek84 Inc., for the purchase of a second Intercept Contraband Detection Scanner for the Sheriff’s Office. The Board approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the scanner.
Awarded a $1,089,350 contract to English Construction Company, Inc., for improvements to DuPont Road leading into the new Adult Detention Center. Funding for this work is included in the budget for the Adult Detention Center project and will be eligible for 25 percent reimbursement from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Approved an additional appropriation to the Sheriff’s Office of $16,743 received from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be used to pay for overtime hours of high impact law enforcement activities in areas that are experiencing increases in crime.
Approved an additional appropriation to the Sheriff’s Office of two separate grants from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The first grant of $26,400 will go towards the enforcement of alcohol related traffic laws and the second grant of $17,831 will be used for the enforcement of speed-related traffic laws.
Approved an additional appropriation to the school board of $1,371,949 received from the Virginia Department of Education through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF). The funds are intended to be used for the replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Laurel Park Middle School.
Approved an additional appropriation to the Department of Public Safety of $216,172 received from the Virginia Fire Programs “Aid-to-Localities” fund. In combination with $929,000 of previously allocated funds, the Board then awarded a contract of $1,136,761 to Blue Ridge Rescue Suppliers for a new aerial fire apparatus for the Bassett Fire Department. Including the purchase of a $203,542 tanker-style fire truck for the Patrick-Henry Volunteer Fire Department in September, this will be the second fire truck purchased within the year.
Approved the carryover of $51,136,064.58 in committed funds from the fiscal year (FY) 2021 budget to the current FY’22 budget. Items on the carryover list are committed items encumbered or obligated from the prior budget year, but the item was not received, or the service was not performed prior to June 30.
Adopted a resolution authorizing the County’s participation in a proposed settlement agreement to recover damages associated with prescription opioid abuses.
Approved an amendment to the FY21-22 budget related to the sale of the Patriot Centre Shell building. The building was sold to Shock, NA for $1 million as part of an economic incentive package. The total loan value of the building was $3,461,955.
Held a public hearing in regards to a Community Development Block Grant application for the restoration of the Historic Fieldale Recreation Center. Following the public hearing, the Board adopted a resolution in support of the application which could provide up to $1 million for renovation costs.
Approved a resolution in support of adding Airport Road to the secondary road system and the abandonment of the old portion that used to lead to the Blue Ridge Regional Airport.
Approved a rezoning request from Suburban Residential (S-R) to Office and Professional District (B-3) for property located at 246 Meadow Lane in Collinsville. The owner wishes to convert the existing residence into an office for a counseling business.
Approved a rezoning request from Suburban Residential (S-R) to Mixed Residential (M-R) for property located at 2541 Bassett Heights Road in the Reed Creek District. The applicant wishes to place a doublewide manufactured home on the property with a permanent masonry foundation.
Approved a rezoning request from Commercial District (B-1) to Agricultural District (A-1) for property at the intersection of Carver Road and Parkway Drive in the Horsepasture District. The applicant wishes to expand the adjacent cemetery into the property. A special use permit will also be required.
Approved a rezoning request from Suburban Residential (S-R) to Rural Residential (R-R) for property located at 107 Carson Drive in the Reed Creek District. The applicant wishes to place a single-wide manufactured home on the property.
Heard from County Treasurer Scott Grindstaff about 2020 delinquent tax collection efforts. Approximately $26,826.42 of 2020 personal property taxes were collected during the month of October. Another $99,963.24 of 2020 real estate taxes were also collected during the month.
Heard from Sarah Hodges and Valerie Harper, of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, regarding new marketing and promotional materials for the County.
Reappointed Vivian Hairston to the Public Service Authority for a four-year term to expire Jan. 5, 2026. The Board also reappointed Jim Adams and Tommy Slaughter to the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for four-year terms to expire Dec. 31, 2025.
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