The 2023 Jack Dalton Community Service Award will be presented at the Henry County Board of Supervisors 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The board established the award in 2001, in honor of Jack Dalton, who served as a board member for more than 24 years. Dalton was serving as its chairman at the time of his death on May 24, 2000.
The award is presented annually to the Henry County resident who best exemplifies the standards for community service set by Dalton. This year’s recipient is expected to attend the meeting.
The board will begin its regular monthly meeting at 3 p.m., in the Summerlin Room of the Henry County Administration Building on Kings Mountain Road.
In other matters at its 6 p.m. meeting, the board will:
*Hold a public hearing on a proposed abandonment of 50 feet of right of way off Oak Level Road. Adjoining property owners are requesting the board consider approving the abandonment. The right-of-way was never developed and VDOT has advised that they have no objection to the action. The sections of the right of way will become a permanent part of the adjoining properties, and a new survey is being prepared to facilitate this action.
*Hold a public hearing on the proposed abandonment of State Route 9199 in the Ridgeway District, as requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The property located at 1425 Greensboro Road was a former bus loop when the facility operated as a public school. VDOT has determined that there is no public necessity for the continued existence of this section of the roadway and requested the abandonment so it can be removed from the Secondary System of State Highways.
* Hold a public hearing on a budget amendment to appropriate funds for the “All In Virginia” initiative, as requested by the school board. The school division was recently awarded $4,175,201 as part of the initiative, which provides recommendations for school divisions in responding to the dramatic number of students with unfinished learning. The state recommends that the school division direct 70 percent of the funding to high intensity tutoring for grades three through eight, 20 percent toward the Virginia Literacy Act, and 10 percent to address chronic absenteeism. Since the total amount exceeds one percent (1 percent) of the county budget, a public hearing is required before the board can appropriate the funds.
* Hold a public hearing on a proposed siting agreement with Shifting Sands Solar, LLC. The company intends to construct an approximately 18.8-megawatt photovoltaic solar facility.
*Hear a report on general highway matters from Lisa Hughes, resident engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation.
At its 3 p.m. meeting, the board will:
*Consider approving documents related to grant funding for the interior renovations of the Fieldale Recreation Center.
*Consider awarding a $1,230,470 contract to Haymes Brothers, Inc., of Chatham, for the construction of phase 6-A2 of the Dick & Willie Passage Trail. Haymes Brothers was the low bidder for the project. Funding is provided by grants.
*Consider an additional appropriation of carryover funds as requested by the school division. If approved, $51,732 of unexpended school funds from FY’23 will be moved to the facilities category of the current year’s budget.
*Consider an additional appropriation and awarding a contract for patrol rifles, as requested by the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Wayne Davis is asking the board to approve an additional appropriation of $107,679 from the State Asset Forfeiture funds to purchase 94 patrol rifles and related components from Town Gun Supply. Davis said the majority of the current patrol rifles have been in service for two decades, with tens of thousands of rounds fired. Due to the accumulated wear and tear over the years, these rifles are now showing signs of malfunction, raising concerns about the safety of both the officers and the public.
*Consider an additional appropriation regarding an insurance settlement. Roger Adams, director of Parks and Recreation, asked the board to approve an additional appropriation of $28,975 received from an insurance settlement. Recently, a tractor was damaged when a tree fell on it during a storm. The tractor was a total loss, and the insurance company has provided the funds as a settlement of the claim. The funds will be used towards the purchase of a replacement tractor for the department.
*Hear a report on a Local Energy Efficiency Action Plan. In anticipation of future grant opportunities, county staff partnered with George Mason University (GMU) to develop a local energy efficiency action plan that quantifies the county’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and offers recommendations for improving energy efficiency and sustainability. The county is one of the first rural localities to be involved in this type of planning. Public Information Officer Brandon Martin is leading the effort locally and will provide an update on the efforts.
*Hear a presentation on a Housing Assessment study undertaken to better understand housing needs in the county and develop a prioritized list of projects needed to increase the quality and availability of affordable housing. Summit Designs, from Richmond, was selected to conduct the study, with representatives Anne Darby and Michael Stapor to provide a brief overview of the completed study.
*Consider meeting in closed session to discuss appointees to the Industrial Development Authority and the Planning Commission; pending legal matters; the acquisition/disposal of real estate; and as-yet-unannounced industries
