A majority of the Henry County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the Henry County Energy Action Plan as presented at an August 27 meeting.
Pam Cobler cast the dissenting ballot in the 5-1 tally.
“There were things in the plan that at this time I couldn’t approve,” Cobler, of the Reed Creek District, said.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner explained that “localities are encouraged to have a plan in place in order to apply for certain federal grants that could help and approve the chance of getting certain federal and state grants in the future,”
Public Information Officer (PIO) Brandon Martin and George Mason University (GMU) worked to craft the draft plan, which was presented in May, and then posted to the county’s website for public input, Wagoner said, adding residents were encouraged to comment. The county received a few comments, and in the majority of cases, was able to answer specific questions.
“I feel that they did a great job developing the plan … I have a lot of federal grant experience, and I understand that it is good for the county, and especially in rural counties to utilize federal dollars that are available, but some of the green energy requirements are not things in which I agree,” Cobler explained.
Wagoner said that the county is “under no obligation to implement any of the action items” identified in the document, nor is it mandated to follow any portion of the plan.
While she understands both points, Cobler said she prefers to vote on individual projects or plans that arise instead of casting a “carte blanche” vote for a single plan in its entirety.
“I could not in my heart do a carte blanche thing just to say, ‘it’s okay,’” Cobler said, adding that she supports hybrid plans for energy, and is a “fossil fuel person.” With respect to the plan, “I know we need some of it, but the percentages and the numbers were just a little much for me, and I just couldn’t do it.”
Jim Adams, board chairman, said he heard from several board members and residents asking if the county would be forced to follow the plan.
“We’re not forced to do anything, but at least we have it on the books that we have an energy plan, which might benefit things like the weatherization of homes,” Adams, of the Blackberry District, said. “Someone that’s struggling otherwise would be able to put the windows and/or weatherization of a home, and along with numerous other things that affect individual homeowners.”
Wagoner said Adams’ statement is a good example of how the plan could help residents make their homes more energy efficient, and perhaps create “opportunities to replace high-energy light fixtures in our county buildings with energy-efficient lighting. Those are some practical examples” of saving energy.
Wagoner noted that many have likened the Energy Action Plan to the county’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that’s approved every few years. In that plan, economic development strategies are identified, along with potential projects and other goals are listed.
“As you know, we have those items that will never come to fruition in that document, and we’ve changed those documents when a new opportunity came up during the year. We could change that document to add a prospective industry that we’re recruiting here,” Wagoner said, adding the energy plan would serve a similar role.
“We can change it as we go along. If we see other opportunities, we need to add to it or take away, we could certainly do that in the future,” Wagoner said.
In other matters, the board:
*Approved a funding request from the Henry County School Board to build new athletic field houses at Bassett and Magna Vista high schools. Funding for the $4.7 million project will come from the additional 1% sales tax fund designated for new construction and major renovations of school facilities. This constitutes the largest construction project to be financed using the fund.
The new field houses will be used for sporting events and to provide shelter for players in the event of severe weather. In addition, the project at Magna Vista will include the construction of an alternate gravity flow sewer line to accommodate restrooms and concessions.
Quality Construction, of Danville, will be awarded the contract for Bassett High School based on their lowest bid of $1.94 million. Concrete Foundations, of Gretna, was chosen for the contract at Magna Vista High School based on their lowest bid of $2.79 million. Following the appropriation, there is approximately $6.8 million left in the additional 1 percent sales tax fund. The fund accumulates approximately $5.5 million per year.
Mary Martin and Ray Reynolds voiced their support for the fieldhouse projects.
After the meeting, school officials said it recently concluded a major renovation project at Bassett High School. The 1 percent sales tax funds were used for ceiling replacement and final updates to the HVAC system. The division is currently in the process of design in preparation for installation of elevators at Drewry Mason, George Washington Carver, and Campbell Court elementary schools. The addition of elevators at these multi-story facilities will ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional plans for the 1 percent sales tax funds include a roof replacement at Laurel Park Middle School.
“The board is pleased with the work of our division superintendent and her staff in the use of the 1 percent sales tax funds,” said Teddy Martin II, chairman of the school board. “The HVAC project at BHS has been a journey, and we are happy to see the work finally completed. The field houses at our high schools have been a long-time dream of many board members, community members, coaches, and our students and staff. We look forward to the groundbreaking, but even more to the ribbon cutting when the facilities open.”
Groundbreaking ceremonies are set to be held on Wednesday, September 4. The ceremony at Magna Vista is set for 3 p.m., and at Bassett at 4:30 p.m.
*Approved the items of consent.
*Heard an update on the county’s delinquent tax collection efforts.
*Awarded a $118,500 contract to RRMM Architects for architectural and engineering services related to the Public Safety Campus master plan.
*Awarded a $73,033 contract to the Berkley Group, LLC, to prepare an Active Transportation Plan for the county.
*Awarded a $106,850 contract to RRMM Architects for architectural and engineering services related to electrical upgrades at the Administration Building.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $6,046 from the Virginia Department of Elections to purchase a Ballot-on-Demand printing system.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $100,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation Economic Development Access grant program to update plans and specifications for improvements to Beaver Creek Drive.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $45,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice School Resource Officer (SRO) grant program to provide an SRO for the Career Academy.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $510,396 received from recreation fees, concession sales, and the transient occupancy tax to reconcile the operating budget for the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex.
*Approved an appropriation of $163,000 from the special construction fund to cover expenses related to the Villa Heights Housing Project.
*Presented the Community Connected Citizen Award to Miss Martinsville-Henry County Jenna Adams and Miss Martinsville-Henry County Teen Meagan Durham.
*Heard a general highway update.
