[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6192023,"mediaKeyId","4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190","parentId",4144354,"title","Board appropriates $2.16 million Virginia Literacy Act carryover, delays decision on supplemental school bonuses","audioSeconds",1249,"startMs",9551000,"endMs",10800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190&start=9551&end=10800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190/thumbnail_9551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192023/Franklin-County/Virginia/Board-appropriates-216-million-Virginia-Literacy-Act-carryover-delays-decision-on-supplemental-school-bonuses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192023-067a7c2451e314bfac137cefc92774b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012685&Signature=T64P38cRWUfotLnFnqb0DMkMDj~gK8PmKkwW4ih6N6fNB3upgwYMhfaCrpo~TSy4Gbuy-WvqR5ps6t-7lfO4DDdhbE-CiGw8IJlfwLQHL0sM4Cg1SyezpvUf-Gxa5cOaEmnd-U-33unIY59dQq51P0O7pQbArIXBLB8qRQmbdny3hUea87OGpnNCjZBZD~SKT3oaTqVpQMYkWIhZaI-kCnQ13ttSg0yE1USj-3pDxgmT6DwiMVhZDHKqweo-X79E~avORg8SDjD0Yzr8htlI2uG4L-I7YbANL-NyzgqcH0zg4O3kiGNA0tv4eOK5tpW0H5aMX9IXditFAxrPZ1YHRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T01:14:01Z","article","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors on a recorded vote appropriated $2,155,860.62 in state carryover funds to the school division to continue implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act. The appropriation covers carryover funds for a three-year program that the school division said supports teacher training, high-intensity tutoring and attendance interventions.

School division representatives requested three items during the meeting: (1) carryover appropriation of $2,155,860.62 for the Virginia Literacy Act (state funds), (2) a request for local support to supplement a state-funded $1,000 one-time bonus for SOQ-funded (Standards of Quality) school employees so the bonus could be extended to all employees at the same level, and (3) use of the school division’s FY23–24 carryover of $367,370 for capital or personnel as the school board deems appropriate. The board approved item (1) and tabled the remaining requests for discussion in July.

School representative (Miss Tuttle) told the board the literacy funds are restricted to implementation, high-intensity tutoring for struggling readers, and chronic absenteeism work; she said the grant does not require local funds. County Finance Director (Brian, staff) presented the county’s fiscal update, explaining a timing gap in property-tax collections created a roughly $15 million cash-flow difference in May that the county expects to reconcile after June receipts. Brian told the board the county will present a more complete projection of year-end numbers in July.

Board members debated the school bonus request’s timing and fiscal effects. The state provided $661,863 for SOQ positions that the school division can use for $1,000 bonuses to those eligible employees; the school division has asked the county for an additional $660,164 to extend the $1,000 bonus to non-SOQ employees so all school staff would receive the same one-time payment. County staff said paying an additional $660,164 would require appropriation of new local funds not currently budgeted and recommended the board wait for final fiscal-year surplus numbers in July before committing local dollars.

After discussion the board voted to table the school’s request for supplemental bonus funding and any decision on the school division carryover use until the July meeting to allow staff to present updated carryover and year-end projections. The board voted to reappropriate the literacy carryover at this meeting so the school division can continue the program without delay.

Supervisors asked staff and the school division to provide detailed examples of which positions are state-funded (SOQ) and which are not, and to show cost breakdowns for full-time and part-time employees before the July decision. The board also discussed the timing requirements for state reimbursement related to the county’s ability to pay July bonuses for certain local staff and the school’s state processing deadlines for June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Franklin County Board of Supervisors Meeting 06/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved $2,155,860.62 in state carryover funding to continue the Virginia Literacy Act work but deferred action on additional school bonus requests and other school carryovers until July as staff and supervisors sought more fiscal-year-end data.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Virginia","taxId",30976,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6192028,"Board approves 5 MW Edwards Solar farm with 35 conditions; two supervisors dissent",2760,10860000,13620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190&start=10860&end=13620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190/thumbnail_10860000.jpg","/articles/6192028/Franklin-County/Virginia/Board-approves-5-MW-Edwards-Solar-farm-with-35-conditions-two-supervisors-dissent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192028-07f8e5e25f83efb010490670f00f95e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012685&Signature=ed-Kuwj8WMSO6dqnH1Q2Vh2D0HbPmBIxpGh10jWA0UA-4CyH36sVJihMgco3Jgn6PdefJQyJqZwDEyEfl7XFKUPWTfuDnWcHdFmg5Lu7yJBuIKRz56duOAIKwxMj0pigBdFQ5E71CkanlzJmyykQz9GBiyzBTn9bdZXCwVW32Y2QacjwOqQycTvLkGDLa4Y0ed05liQ3pBDJFidrSRG8OAWhA1Pck2NlPkl0SZWIqd1NwgdT~VdI3env3qjyxJzp7ImTs6tvuNgZp7UcS9YVM4Lb~zJXbCLrqdsGdZ1T-b~wlRK-YmDle2GWVeQWGMeNtaTiCoAlhoGvyw3o2CFWAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors approved a special-use permit (SUP) for Edwards Solar, a proposed 5-megawatt photovoltaic project, after a public hearing and planning commission review. The board adopted the SUP with a series of conditions addressing site design, vegetation buffers, stormwater and a decommissioning plan.

The project applicant, CEP Solar, described the proposal as a distributed-generation project that will connect to the local Appalachian Power distribution circuit on Jacks Creek Road. Paul Cousins, CEP Solar project manager, told the board the plan covers approximately 38 acres with about 25 acres under panels and that the site benefits from dense existing vegetation. Don Giesick, CEP Solar director of planning initiatives, introduced the company team for the meeting.

Lisa Cooper (planning staff) summarized the planning commission’s review and relayed that the county’s third-party completeness review found no deficiencies. The planning commission recommended approval by a 7–0 vote and provided 35 conditions covering site-plan review, erosion and stormwater controls, bonding for decommissioning, vegetation and visual screening, safety coordination with Mountain Valley Pipeline and other standard conditions.

Company representatives and landowners spoke in support during the public hearing. Penny Edwards Blue and Ruby Penn, property owners whose families hold the land, said the parcel is not suitable for future farming and that the location is compatible with nearby industrial uses such as a quarry and asphalt plant. Reba Dillon and other residents also spoke, noting prior solar projects and urging the board to assess compatibility. Planning staff noted two letters of support were received prior to the hearing.

After discussion, a motion to approve the SUP with the planning commission’s recommended conditions and an added requirement that panels be silica-based (rather than cadmium-telluride technology) passed 5–2. The roll call shows Supervisors Jamieson, Carter, Quinn, Tatum and Chairman Thompson voted yes; Supervisors Mitchell and Smith voted no.

The SUP requires a site plan review and permits only up to 5 MW for the approved project footprint. Conditions require a detailed decommissioning cost estimate, a county-held bond large enough to cover full decommissioning (indexed for inflation and reviewed every five years), stormwater and erosion-control plans that meet current DEQ guidance, and a designated stormwater/erosion-control manager during construction. The project will not include on-site battery storage, CEP representatives said.

County staff will proceed with required site-plan and permitting steps and enter follow-up technical reviews with state agencies, the applicant said. The board’s action allows CEP Solar to continue permitting and engineering work required before construction.","The Franklin County Board approved a special use permit for a 5-megawatt solar facility on about 38 acres, adding conditions on screening, stormwater, decommissioning and panel standards. The vote was 5–2, with Supervisors Mitchell and Smith opposing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6192032,"Traditional Medicinals to invest $47 million in Franklin County; board authorizes local agreement",159,6201000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190&start=6201&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4144354-965fe22dfdf1bdc275a3cc99b9d74190/thumbnail_6201000.jpg","/articles/6192032/Franklin-County/Virginia/Traditional-Medicinals-to-invest-47-million-in-Franklin-County-board-authorizes-local-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192032-a8b51987f0b64df76897e6851fc2c1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012685&Signature=k1ZZmKWWXMtTx1bFu39lGbvVOgk1-15gm2Tk2UP3Nh1NHI1fm~NCT6aXjjEZsgX3CX5eslnno0WubD9Inkda-EKLqY1Me7Gc~0gTUYYyFXYcIJWp2hNepOzxB~hyRVgojQldb60MxUANpcR~0LbFX1K~OTcD8QUq-9DbWlNSN3x3ooIW9SEHRFjJF9vUaiNM80i21Dy4pPd5ypjqjoZKLQOB5fekbMf54QpLsKD873nAf6UhhCuMpT-xZ4P3YgkHpkA~my2A3XvKoZCP3WWlJsgq0kApfkyUojguIU7~aeECRRyOHfCcORgeml71ys8~I~W1yklvYi6816vV~j4Njw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors on a unanimous vote authorized county staff and the Industrial Development Authority chair to finalize and execute a local performance agreement and related documents with Traditional Medicinals, a medicinal tea company that plans a new manufacturing facility in the county.

County Administrator (staff) announced the project during the board’s public session, saying, “We have an update today for the public … a $47,000,000 investment by Traditional Medicinals here in Franklin County. 57 new jobs, Average salary, 70,657 per year.” The board moved to allow the county administrator, county attorney and IDA chair to complete a local performance agreement, a site excess maintenance agreement and to join the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund performance agreement as a party with the company and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The action directs staff to record a revised plat and complete transfer of the property deed in accordance with the local performance agreement. The county administrator told the board a groundbreaking will be scheduled in the coming weeks, with footings expected this year and building construction beginning in the first quarter of next year.

Representatives of Traditional Medicinals attended and spoke at the meeting. Drake Sadler, identified in the meeting as founder and initial CEO of the company, thanked the board and local staff for their hospitality and said the company “is growing” and “we’re taking this very seriously.” Waller Gaster introduced the company project team and noted local consultants and contractors are involved in the design and site work.

The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all supervisors voting yes. Board minutes show the county plans to sign the performance agreement and move forward with the deed transfer and plat recording as part of the incentive package and site preparation. The county did not present a copy of the final performance agreement at the meeting.

Board members and staff emphasized the length of negotiations and the need for the closed-session review the board had taken earlier in the meeting before making the announcement. No public incentives dollar amounts beyond the local and state participation mechanisms were read into the public record at the time of the vote.

The county said the investment will support manufacturing jobs at the new site and that more project details, including a formal groundbreaking date, will be shared when finalized. The board did not adopt any new ordinances or local tax changes during the action; it authorized staff to complete the agreements necessary to implement the project.","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors authorized county staff and the industrial development authority to finalize agreements needed for Traditional Medicinals’ planned $47 million facility, which the county says will bring 57 jobs at an average annual salary of $70,657 and begin site work soon.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board appropriates $2.16 million Virginia Literacy Act carryover, delays decision on supplemental school bonuses

Board approves 5 MW Edwards Solar farm with 35 conditions; two supervisors dissent

Traditional Medicinals to invest $47 million in Franklin County; board authorizes local agreement