[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6209563,"mediaKeyId","3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e","parentId",3734255,"title","Board accepts transfer of 218 Memorial Drive from school board, clearing way for sale","audioSeconds",408,"startMs",1202000,"endMs",1610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e&start=1202&end=1610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209563/Russell-County/Virginia/Board-accepts-transfer-of-218-Memorial-Drive-from-school-board-clearing-way-for-sale","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209563-88d0e7f1f7ddcee9f93f4e74d0a7c731/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460530&Signature=Z8YF0QUgEILerudXxxP8zTsAC6W26Gky8ISNqaHKTDzxmV4RZspY-RJOewyNZBfWfjRGYHt5CyCA0rBBQBGRnPvg1eGBcFlbHExcJQqnBNeAR3yGm1mCeaRvIgHRjX9MQUDA~6AJ8Ex8iFdENvY~2fudS5PpUfqwf1ONX~1WeoaFVoCOIt5WPGsjKK1i4Iogalf--Q0ZTn5XjW0bR2FjZMp-LetWpnme2g~w2vnCoPvihZrHxw9-ssL4~FprIod-xezm~8yFktTJO6nd4xuHPRDO7~QDDr8Rf~7-g3qIL8tMg4VjQZ0n7EoO1aHi9RSHPERHh9IFiPDvj6Lvq9BYmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Russell County, VA","date","2025-06-10T08:43:55.653Z","article","The Russell County Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of 218 Memorial Drive from the Russell County School Board to the Board of Supervisors, a procedural requirement under the Code of Virginia to allow the school board to complete a sale.

Supervisor Andrew Hensley asked where the funds from a potential sale would be directed. County Administrator Lonzo Lester said the transfer is part of the statutory process: \"under the code of Virginia, this has to come before, you know, be our property has before the sale has to be transferred to the governing board. This is part of the process, before they can proceed for the closing.\" Lester added that decisions on the use of funds are at the governing board's discretion.

A school official (name redacted in the meeting transcript) informed the board that the school division had requested consideration of using sale proceeds to install new heating and cooling units at Lebanon Middle School; Lester confirmed that would be a matter for the board to consider if proceeds are received.

A motion to accept the property was made and seconded and the board approved the transfer by voice vote. No formal sale occurred at the meeting; the vote clears the statutory step required to allow the school board to proceed with closing the sale.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Russell County Board of Supervisors - June 9th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Supervisors approved transfer of property at 218 Memorial Drive from the Russell County School Board to the Board of Supervisors to allow the school board to proceed with a sale; the governing board will determine the use of any proceeds.","taxTitle","Russell County, Virginia","taxId",38123,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209569,"Supervisors vote to advertise proposed changes to elderly and disabled tax exemption",632,3725000,4357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e&start=3725&end=4357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e/thumbnail_3725000.jpg","/articles/6209569/Russell-County/Virginia/Supervisors-vote-to-advertise-proposed-changes-to-elderly-and-disabled-tax-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209569-8d86f17445c80c778f9eebcc5e01df74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460530&Signature=U6a6Mc4WFUAMGa-R4aZmItBWPMyTNF-Van6MO-UvE52u67Tbuw958PVrCimNklGI86Oi~JhIJ0hNv-RNksyV4tZVjnbaJhE2ha8l3s9UWNBEfRlXdWG55pxx~RW1OvHUjmYWa8iO5d-cLIQlDMTMsB8SfzTUj4muOzz1rnUHjEftNPEwUF1F3bomnYNu7LkD7fmsFuZs1B1Qe~zRK8qhiA5JoufN80ZwJQwv99shYWq2TmC3dl5YFzrz8i3HY~JvlN~0G1qS1Md7EPnfQrWwiFK4UexL60b3OtHGi3T-rBVsxtlY086PUTW9OG1DroagxZInk~~w79D5X5rcF8JSKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to publicize proposed amendments to the county ordinance that provides real‑estate tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents, moving the matter toward a formal public hearing and final decision.

County Administrator Lonzo Lester reviewed the current ordinance parameters and the administrator's analysis. Lester said the existing ordinance sets a gross combined income cap of $30,000, a net combined financial worth cap of $80,000 (including up to 10 acres), and an exemption amount currently set at $165. He told the board he modeled the fiscal impact if the exemption amount and eligibility thresholds were increased.

Several supervisors and staff discussed draft changes. Supervisor Rebecca Dye said she has spoken with local constitutional officers who were supportive of raising thresholds. A staff recommendation mentioned raising gross income to $40,000 and net worth to $100,000; board members asked the administrator to prepare impact figures under two proposed exemption amounts: $250 and $300. \"Could you look at it with those numbers 40,000, 100,000, 2 50. I'll give you a report. Maybe even 300,\" a supervisor said during the discussion.

A motion to publicize the ordinance with the requested scenarios passed by voice vote. The county administrator said he will prepare a report showing who would be eligible under the proposed limits and the maximum budgetary impact; the board indicated it would consider the item again when it reconvenes on its next meeting date.","The board voted to advertise proposed increases to the county's real‑estate tax exemption parameters for elderly and disabled residents and asked staff for a report on fiscal impact at two proposed exemption levels.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209574,"Board and public press for clarity on PSA trash fees, reserve account and contracts",328,1772000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e&start=1772&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e/thumbnail_1772000.jpg","/articles/6209574/Russell-County/Virginia/Board-and-public-press-for-clarity-on-PSA-trash-fees-reserve-account-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209574-2b471be1e11491e85371f2988d56fa4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460530&Signature=GRQ~T5v0ABojkttMT86kHjR55934O3bhKCdvGpcAbpK2ZbT8q65RfVc5Kv4YbFgVpaGlHjfIsgYu~9aYhBryeAKsyJmktHdoMZRp09V5v9r8wc3avJry8Syj4nP2oqNJVsTNxNX38nj58VgfDct89VHrhQCh~vut80OH6oItHBGsjxIhniOcYz~1dsRaEodj-exOHvRV7~~w3Cav8cdpKv0UKdBtgAw87OevTfVYGB74v7~QyUcu7sV8F831ZseiJsT6QgdGvqZ1sRph47iBXmzWxTe6u-Ky4AproIwDiO5dv-zGVeAESL4NF1Z7HOoedpRaJpm6UVOsdgSWujd3wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Lonzo Lester and members of the public spent significant time at the meeting discussing the county's relationship with the Russell County Public Service Authority (PSA), an environmental waste collection fee created by the county in 2006, and the status of funds collected on the county's behalf.

Lester outlined the ordinance's history and how an account created under the disposal ordinance was used as a debt reserve during consolidation of Castlewood water and sewer. \"As of today... they have $484,698.06 in this account,\" he said, and explained the reserve cap in the financing agreements is about $705,000 for the two lenders involved. Lester said the reserve funds were used to secure favorable refinancing that saved the county interest costs on roughly $16 million in consolidated loans.

Public commenters pushed back on elements of that account history and the authority's handling of collections. Dave Miller, a county resident who said he has reviewed the records, said the amount collected on behalf of the county in one year was larger than the figure the county administrator cited: \"The money that the PSA collected on behalf of the county is not 75,000, but a $105,777.76,\" Miller told the board. Miller also said the PSA improperly disconnected water service for customers in 2023 and that the PSA and the county had told him the PSA is a separate corporate entity with contractual obligations.

Supervisor Nate Kaiser asked the county attorney to review the PSA contract and the governing ordinance to confirm the county is operating under correct language. \"I would like the attorney to look into the PSA contract, and see what we need to do to get that remedied,\" Kaiser said, and he asked that the board ensure its ordinances and any contract language align with practice.

Lester said auditors and bond counsel have reviewed aspects of the financing and that the PSA's 2024 annual report lists restricted assets and reserves; he also described monthly contributions from the PSA toward replenishing reserves. The board did not take a formal voting action on the PSA account at the meeting, but a supervisor requested an attorney review and further documentation for the next agenda.","County staff explained the history and current balance of the Russell County PSA collection account and reserve used in water/sewer consolidations; members of the public disputed some figures and asked for contract records. A supervisor asked the county attorney to review PSA contracting language.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209579,"Russell County approves 1.5% one-time bonus for county social services staff",363,949000,1312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e&start=949&end=1312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734255-4662d0da3b77f34587c19d030d19af0e/thumbnail_949000.jpg","/articles/6209579/Russell-County/Virginia/Russell-County-approves-15-one-time-bonus-for-county-social-services-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209579-57589c1a301f73e77e36e53ff2db9037/orig.mp4?Expires=1770460530&Signature=OhdZVMLXM5MYKLy0QzIZgm1R1Ie3XJKUMwoTQd5j3AcF~~kqk1opi56zje8nw5EwJ4Wz8pV~8G~Lti1fYKN5FjUWDcnyg87l7YomN-46vGG4nXISqqEKGJYg6k3s31wkLGQDIa3kefZckogf9~okY0Ck4qfCZuDtuiwVPuOvGRN-67sbWZ2jsCJzQcWjIhHWiYl80V5JpNfG9vazxXML7xz9LVR-tPub9hKt6eYyp~LvtpL8Ekdx5NncStjc4NyvbrNn5CeCnUMXiRJ~BXYmU4J1FJCdD~uO~tNNMCrGwNsGIky2jTOkRlDK35oQQOYyE0C6~~uUdBmMPAWiZwCoQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Russell County Board of Supervisors approved a one‑time bonus of 1.5% of annual pay for full‑time Russell County Department of Social Services employees, funded by the Virginia General Assembly appropriation for FY2025–26 with a small local match.

County Administrator Lonzo Lester presented the item during a public hearing, saying the bonus \"is a 1 time bonus that's authorized for all full time Russell County DSS employees in the amount of 1.5% of the employee's annual salary\" and that the state appropriation covers the funding \"under chapter 725.\" Lester told the board the county's required local match is $4,299.35.

Supervisor action came after the public hearing. A supervisor moved to approve the bonus and the motion received seconds; the board voted by voice and approved the payment.

During public comment, Sandy Hayes, a Russell County resident who identified herself as working with DSS staff, thanked the board: \"I'd like to say thank you to the board for approving our bonus at DSS. I work with, a lot of really hardworking people that really deserved it.\" Hayes also praised Supervisor Tara Dye for advocacy on behalf of county employees.

The county administrator said the bonus will affect pay as of June 20, 2025. The board did not provide a roll‑call vote breakdown in the meeting minutes for this motion; approval was recorded by voice vote.","The Russell County Board of Supervisors approved a state-funded, one-time 1.5% bonus for full‑time Department of Social Services employees; the county will cover a local match of $4,299.35.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board accepts transfer of 218 Memorial Drive from school board, clearing way for sale

Supervisors vote to advertise proposed changes to elderly and disabled tax exemption

Board and public press for clarity on PSA trash fees, reserve account and contracts

Russell County approves 1.5% one-time bonus for county social services staff