[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6746010,"mediaKeyId","5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c","parentId",5321874,"title","Russell County updates emergency response: generators, road-reporting system and EMS/fire certificate with SVCC","audioSeconds",112,"startMs",2188000,"endMs",2300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c&start=2188&end=2300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6746010/Russell-County/Virginia/Russell-County-updates-emergency-response-generators-road-reporting-system-and-EMSfire-certificate-with-SVCC","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746010-a6f16737bb19634f942c4edab6dc271f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576968&Signature=DZRp7z8hrhxbmDERu8saPQF5AprLdq7mCBQIHmmrpzWO9Mnr8HfRZ716kIoZZdrnfuhWBpeLZELcTbcfpBfcV6O5WwJe5ounCvs1geN3mTNv~mGRU4HucCm~rBohow6iHnn3PmYlxXC6woYNWpFGbBymCsbbfNXSSZJEG0llr0N85hfl37Gp6h2hdmC9HCQEo~5A~vzdM6nWFPBojTM-l~nhbyxJuZF2V5QAmrZ57CiVfeVY1tsD0wNkKqX9U-qml~d6GRTB6dwWIM12bsiIesBISAuy9LtB57gMU3m-PSpcy2-FLLQS8-NqC0EGg-5cmzHbUj1M-66fBDhgJ1kXsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Russell County, VA","date","2025-07-07T18:28:48Z","article","Russell County officials detailed several public-safety and emergency-management efforts during the July meeting, citing recent flash flooding as a catalyst for upgrades to local response systems.

County staff reported that generators for the Russell County Community Center and the local fire department are being installed and are on schedule. The administrator described plans to identify and deploy additional portable generators during flood response, and to include board members in emergency-alert notifications so supervisors receive the same incident alerts as staff and first responders.

Officials also described improvements to an online Russell County road-reporting system that allows residents to report hazards. Staff clarified that some incoming reports concern private roads, which are outside county maintenance jurisdiction; in those cases staff will contact residents and, where possible, direct them to appropriate assistance programs.

The county's EMS and fire training work with Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC) was presented as a 29-credit certificate program spanning foundation to leadership coursework. County leaders said the program could help expand the volunteer and paid responder pool and that county RACE funds might support student participation or program development.

Board members emphasized resiliency planning for small \"holler\" communities, noting repeated flood-prone locations and recommending mitigation and local redundancy (generators and local storage) in community hubs. The board asked staff to continue work on feasibility and funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Russell County Board of Supervisors - July 7th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County officials reported generator installations, upgraded hazard reporting and a new EMS/fire certificate program with SVCC after recent flash floods highlighted response gaps.","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},6746029,"Russell County Board sets $300 starting point, schedules public hearing on elderly and disabled tax exemption",70,1695000,1765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c&start=1695&end=1765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c/thumbnail_1695000.jpg","/articles/6746029/Russell-County/Virginia/Russell-County-Board-sets-300-starting-point-schedules-public-hearing-on-elderly-and-disabled-tax-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746029-a3465b054b443fa78a1fccf7063605b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576968&Signature=nq6ngb1YHwHavVIBTfboppjdQX3hc6L9CYvkb5SYewwXAEUWLzvLCxVVxe16l6q90Q1GQ8xSGlbtG8TcpBuqpJekixJFpC6E~LjYOaghJbDll7FBRy2xE9D2TOLKqxUaLdPGw1blHRzMfXo9mNA7dPSkdgQguygaQoVyqlrs2H2HH9cdiQZiNkD7G5Kp2HTXHY9nprrNpGKhGXZbtQaRlk8H775IAstJ-PhI430WiMLDCOBpKhdtprK6iAIrNCYsw411ekbG8Qf5cV9pEfEgWA~3~4YeUxR20HlUezN6lSkGSTTYXBZQIfdJf-ZxSHJsnKZuYl7Yc0FEXZyAs1ce9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a public hearing proposing to raise the county's real-estate tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners to $300.

Board members said the change is intended to increase relief for low-income homeowners. The measure was not adopted tonight; the board established $300 as a starting point for public notice and discussion and directed the county attorney and staff to schedule the hearing for the August meeting.

Treasurer Alicia (first name only in the record) and county staff provided fiscal estimates during the discussion. County staff said moving the exemption from the current $165 to $300 could increase exemptions by roughly $42,000 to $43,000 at \"max capacity,\" depending on whether the program's current income and net-asset eligibility thresholds remain unchanged. The administrator noted that raising income or asset caps would enlarge the eligible pool and increase the fiscal effect.

Supervisor Lou Ann Wallace moved that the board use $300 as the proposal to advertise; Supervisor Tara Dye seconded the motion, and the board voted to proceed with advertising and to hold a public hearing. Several supervisors said the figure would provide meaningful relief to very low-income homeowners while allowing the board to gauge public comment before final adoption.

The county attorney listed the real-estate tax exemption ordinance among four county ordinances slated for public hearings in August, including a draft solid-waste disposal-fee ordinance and an erosion-and-sediment-control ordinance. The public will be able to review the proposal and submit comments before the board takes final action.","The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a public hearing proposing to raise the real-estate tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners to $300.",{"_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},6746025,"Residents press PSA billing concerns as county readies forensic-audit scope",198,917000,1115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c&start=917&end=1115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6746025/Russell-County/Virginia/Residents-press-PSA-billing-concerns-as-county-readies-forensic-audit-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746025-aaaaa0b50503e68822d137c8e2718cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576968&Signature=FMmCbnlEo6lvL8OvqXdOv1IiUCTDwQvk7xTXyouPZkUJi~bnRFEmPF7RK-oAEmwG0rNUKIB8kC3d95xHar54jMznFRc3bqfF74HLHKNyBwnIrzm3RXvDrYJes6kjMSSbuKUJHy4x5M8n82LQb9Jq3z~IhiT7NlTY-oMxuTq3KVazh5NKDgRegBVpvqsStkq7RdKTrkLKhwz9jpBOeBTvWr8UvVHvTv09yLuf7JOEaCJBeUWeZdcGnnPbLUe2FTogYPLS9hbk8Bp~hbQ9vrE~hjidaEwgnlE2nD3wP6sR5NzuryIAIE1FCAO07U1g3-WAeKtlI90h8aeMcgenIjSb0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used the citizens'comment period to press the Russell County Board of Supervisors about billing and accounting for solid-waste fees charged by the Russell County PSA.

Jason Owens, a Lebanon small-business owner, told the board he believes he has been billed by the PSA for services already paid to the Town of Lebanon and said he had been denied an exemption after submitting documentation. \"I feel as if I'm being billed and paying Russell County PSA for a service that's not being provided,\" Owens said.

David Miller, another resident who addressed the board, said PSA collections did not appear to be recorded in the county's designated special solid-waste fund as the ordinance requires. Miller cited figures stated in the PSA's reporting and asked when and how a governing body had approved the PSA retaining 100% of those funds. \"Where's the money?\" Miller asked; he urged the board either to enforce the ordinance or repeal it.

In response, the county attorney and county administrator noted that a Russell County Solid Waste Disposal Fee Ordinance draft has been prepared and will be set for a public hearing in August, giving the public an opportunity to comment on fee collection and accounting. Separately, the county administrator announced plans to issue a Request for Proposals for Russell County forensic-audit services. He said a three-member committee (Nate Kiser, Steve Brady and the chair) would be appointed to define the forensic audit's scope and recommend how to fund it; the board accepted those appointments.

Board members said the forensic-audit RFP would be drafted to clarify financial transactions and address resident concerns about fund allocation but emphasized that the RFP scope and funding must be approved before contracting.

The board did not take final action on the solid-waste ordinance tonight; it directed staff to advertise the proposed ordinance and to schedule the public hearing for the August meeting.","Business owners and residents accused the Russell County Public Service Authority (PSA) of billing inconsistently and of failing to deposit solid-waste fees into the county's designated special fund. The board approved forming a committee to draft a forensic-audit RFP to scope potential further review of PSA finances and county transactions.",{"_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},6746015,"Russell County board authorizes negotiations with Mitchell Kilgore for county-attorney services",135,3400000,3535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c&start=3400&end=3535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c/thumbnail_3400000.jpg","/articles/6746015/Russell-County/Virginia/Russell-County-board-authorizes-negotiations-with-Mitchell-Kilgore-for-county-attorney-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746015-c5e035b7b813e25022047a80143c2459/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576968&Signature=V6wra8HjeH-eH5u8DuXBg1rXt2Gylr1BxwEqHdGvQ4YZG2wakyAQiuaP-ewXFUIzhIIetI-3zntO76pCDLKc5y-UImwvXYa7MuF7gscWjklOWHD1ovbIscy7hdOGEu1DeZFCnvSaeSzzn1jcEMMeQbqZktf8YDSCIxe8MWJ8hIUqioPsPtx3xq5JEmTSr5F21wNuub0FzEUwMYKiahOfW1iDW2lWigJcZvIy2~s6xu6z2mGSN4T68EOxwDmBRsHZTZZlHptr3zpFFyXHZuZdf6Id44fGFP7JxXOeND8syhLe7cTjutqUhUtIbp~iXgKU5u9g0VAThdpLFaaKga8DjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Russell County Board of Supervisors authorized the chair and county administrator to enter into negotiations with the Mitchell Kilgore law firm to provide county-attorney services.

Supervisor discussion noted a pressing need for legal support across several pending matters, including multiple ordinances on the August agenda and land- and contract-related work for economic-development projects. One supervisor said the firm has local presence with an office in Lebanon and qualifications that the board found suited to the county's immediate needs.

The board voted to proceed with negotiations and to authorize the chair and county administrator to finalize terms. Separately, the board formed a selection committee to review responses for the county's annual independent audit services; Supervisors Lou Ann Wallace and Tara Dye were appointed to that committee.

No final contract was signed at the meeting; the authorization allows the county to negotiate terms and return to the board for formal approval once negotiations conclude.","With multiple ordinance and economic-development projects pending, the board authorized the chair and county administrator to begin contract negotiations with the Mitchell Kilgore law firm for county-attorney services. The board also formed a selection committee for the annual independent audit contract.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6746019,"Russell County to advertise four former school properties for sale; board cites asbestos mitigation costs",120,4160000,4280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c&start=4160&end=4280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5321874-84b9353809f73f7b8efea2594167b89c/thumbnail_4160000.jpg","/articles/6746019/Russell-County/Virginia/Russell-County-to-advertise-four-former-school-properties-for-sale-board-cites-asbestos-mitigation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6746019-7a1a4175a2c22de3bdef82133aba7364/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576968&Signature=cjr0eRL83LL6BopAHFXPtSaKojSa6jjf94PHXGYmEEju4g4clJh2HVck-ZL~Ho8AMp8TqFagnnJYaBId8ha8dXed~SKlN2DT2Wm8imVJvPUfA-q0RIU4DcqtJk0P8sIGXOwTix-yE47tz6OfKwz1y28cefrIy11m58VwuNBfFx7CSSjfKt3SdC5pTitt6jD-9F-drzIzTbSRHtWJX3CpTgaxQnPFDRARlmdUhgnWQEdEA22hZdifGI10I2Bz7eaY3J7LSw0~vCiUa7kOTcLt6Zi-8kKOWR6SeWioSWAg~92dxwqJWDLDy98SDiii1dg9kp68metiSF7jMSM8RR9VAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise four former school properties for sale: Givens, Swords Creek, Copper Creek and Oak Grove.

Supervisors said the district does not want to carry the maintenance and utility costs for vacant buildings amid uncertain state reimbursement and Medicaid reimbursement changes affecting partner organizations. County officials reported that a recent evaluation found asbestos and other remediation needs at Swords Creek that could cost in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars (staff cited an example figure for mitigation on one property of roughly $700,000).

Board members discussed options to reduce cleanup costs, including the Virginia Brownfields program, which can fund environmental assessments and some remediation when an economic-development reuse is planned. Officials said Brownfields could offset some abatement costs in combination with other grants, but there is no guarantee of funding.

The board approved a motion to advertise the properties for sale and directed staff to pursue interested buyers and to continue exploring Brownfields or other abatement funding. Board members said they will try to limit the county's long-term liability by moving the properties off the county's books and pursuing redevelopment options where feasible.","Supervisors approved a motion to advertise the Givens, Swords Creek, Copper Creek and Oak Grove school properties for sale. Discussion noted significant asbestos-abatement and renovation costs for some buildings and that Brownfields or other grants might be explored prior to disposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Russell County updates emergency response: generators, road-reporting system and EMS/fire certificate with SVCC

Russell County Board sets $300 starting point, schedules public hearing on elderly and disabled tax exemption

Residents press PSA billing concerns as county readies forensic-audit scope

Russell County board authorizes negotiations with Mitchell Kilgore for county-attorney services

Russell County to advertise four former school properties for sale; board cites asbestos mitigation costs