By Taylor Boyd
The Henry County Board of Supervisors recognized the service of Treasurer Scott Grindstaff with a round of applause during its Jan. 29 meeting as he prepared for retirement.
Grindstaff retired at the end of January.
Deputy Treasurer Tiffanie Seay Hairston was sworn in as treasurer at the meeting and officially assumed the role Feb. 1 following Grindstaff’s retirement.
Under Virginia law, when a vacancy occurs in the elected position of treasurer, the chief deputy is required to assume the position and duties until a special election is held and a duly elected successor takes the oath of office.
At its December meeting, the board voted to schedule the special election for the next general election day, Nov. 3, 2026.
A lifelong county resident, Hairston is a graduate of Magna Vista High School and brings experience in public service and financial management to the role. She has worked in the Treasurer’s Office for nearly four years and was trained by the late Zena Preston Smith and Grindstaff.
Hairston earned her Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer Certification through the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Before joining the Treasurer’s Office, she spent more than 17 years working in banking and served seven years as a bookkeeper for Henry County Public Schools.
“This is home for me, and it always will be,” Hairston said. “I understand the responsibility of this office, and I am prepared to carry it out with integrity, transparency, and respect for every citizen. My goal is to collect taxes efficiently, safeguard public funds, and ensure every dollar works for the people of Henry County.”
As treasurer, Hairston will oversee the collection and management of county funds and ensure uninterrupted service to residents until the special election.
In other matters, the board:
*Discussed road conditions and other issues caused by winter weather and heard an update from Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.
*Presented Joel Cannaday with a resolution honoring his years of service on the Electoral Board.
*Heard a monthly report on delinquent tax collection efforts from Treasurer Scott Grindstaff.
*Received an update from Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Mark Heath.
*Heard a broadband update from Appalachian Power External Affairs Manager Rob Mann.
*Adopted a revised employee handbook.
*Heard a 2025 year-in-review presentation on the Smith River Sports Complex from Parks and Recreation Director Roger Adams.
*Approved items on the consent agenda.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $130,226 in grant funds for the Sheriff’s Office to replace a department drone, overtime payments, and community outreach.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $127,550 from the county’s general fund to purchase poll books for the registrar’s office.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $325,000 from the Harvest Foundation to help reduce the purchase price of homes in the Villa Heights Housing Project.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $958,960 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the U.S. 58 West sewer line extension project in partnership with the Henry County Public Service Authority.
*Awarded a sole-source contract of $51,968 to Mobile Communications America for maintenance of 911 Center call-handling equipment.
*Received an update on the Animal Services Shelter.
