[{"_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",6701580,"mediaKeyId","5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9","parentId",5379613,"title","Board approves package of resolutions, appropriations and policy changes; bonuses approved for county employees","audioSeconds",6354,"startMs",656000,"endMs",7010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9&start=656&end=7010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9/thumbnail_656000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701580/Westmoreland-County/Virginia/Board-approves-package-of-resolutions-appropriations-and-policy-changes-bonuses-approved-for-county-employees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701580-be15422fc1e122f2ce8fdf30df9f7e6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153102&Signature=eTFYMoCAS0hU8ChNhemnjYtuO5TJKegpaWpZlMxB9I~W647qnwNabEtwVn5DYIcoUk1IuhLCSGyn8IvDCKZRSxfQIJFEHqMY-7xadjod29G5YtzS0osBS7KjGswdYe7vR5j7pZQgMZaPJI2bj4clzeeF0bBeBCU8qOd8LWN9a7f1fbmHF6nvJgVoDaPjhPNMuUIRpKNAIneHf1HuCwZSGW17nGjAVyHoC-wuhBsTxbBLGXWds-ZgoUvOYHKQfRHj3uT-GKn8oyzI355FeZ1nIBlRWnKpfuyfjE4x3OFXTaedT5c90dt5q61Ma1t2yEr0LlWzED~p0cQUQUvP~RXlUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westmoreland County, VA","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","At its June meeting the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors adopted a series of resolutions, accepted state and local appropriations, approved administrative changes to the county website domain and transfer-station policy, accepted two roads into the state secondary system and authorized a one-time 1.5% bonus for county staff.

The board unanimously adopted resolutions honoring three retiring county employees: Treasurer Sue Jones (retiring June 30, 2025), Belinda Johnson (retiring June 30, 2025) and Evelyn “Kim” Self (retiring June 30, 2025). The board also approved routine business items including minutes for the meeting record, the May 2025 accounts payable list and the May 2025 payroll register.

The board accepted a $36,003.51 appropriation transferred from the closed Montrose Volunteer Rescue Squad to Westmoreland EMS and approved a $7,000 year-end appropriation from the Department of Social Services to cover foster care maintenance costs through fiscal year closeout. The board accepted a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for a county housing assessment to be performed with the Northern Neck Planning District Commission.

On administrative matters, the board selected westmorelandva.gov as the county’s new web domain and approved eliminating the existing $5 transfer-station tickets for resident brush and electronic disposal effective July 1, 2025. The board also adopted the VDOT-required resolution to add Holly Way and Dohru (Dohru) Road to the state secondary system after revenue-sharing-funded construction.

A public rezoning request for Bevins Properties (a parcel on Skipjack Road in Kinsale) received a public hearing and the board approved the rezoning recommended by the Planning Commission.

On personnel compensation, the board approved by a 4–1 vote a county-funded supplement so the one-time 1.5% bonus (the amount authorized by the General Assembly for certain state-funded positions) will be paid to all county full‑time employees. The county administrator reported the additional local cost to extend the bonus to all county employees is roughly $161,000 and can be covered from anticipated year-end carryover funds; the motion to extend the bonus carried with Supervisor Henson recorded as the lone dissent.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Resolution honoring Sue Jones, Treasurer — Adopted (Roll call: Ingram Aye; Trivette Aye; McCormick Aye; Henson Aye; Chair Aye.)
- Resolution honoring Belinda Johnson — Adopted (unanimous roll call.)
- Resolution honoring Evelyn (Kim) Self — Adopted (unanimous roll call.)
- Minutes (as presented) — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- Accounts payable (May 2025) — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- Payroll register (May 2025) — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- Montrose Volunteer Rescue Squad funds ($36,003.51) to Westmoreland EMS — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- DSS appropriation ($7,000) for foster maintenance — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- Acceptance of VDHCD grant ($100,000) for housing assessment — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- VDOT resolution adding Holly Way and Dohru Road to the secondary system — Adopted (unanimous roll call.)
- Transfer-station policy: eliminate resident fees for brush/electronics (effective 2025-07-01) — Adopted (unanimous roll call.)
- New county domain name: westmorelandva.gov — Adopted (unanimous roll call.)
- Rezoning: Bevins Properties (portion of 1191 Skipjack Road, Kinsale) — Approved after public hearing (motion carried; roll call in the record.)
- Appointment: Jimmy Coates to the Planning Commission — Approved (unanimous roll call.)
- One-time county bonus (1.5%) extended to all county employees (county to supplement state-funded share) — Approved (4–1; Henson opposed). The county administrator estimated the local supplement at approximately $161,000 and said the funds can be covered with year-end carryover.

Notes and implementation: Several of the accepted appropriations and resolutions require routine ministerial follow-up (signatures, grant agreements, or routing to the treasurer/clerks). The county administrator indicated that eliminating the $5 brush/electronics ticket sales will remove modest annual revenue (historically roughly $6,800 for brush and about $1,700 for electronics) but that payroll savings and other carryover can absorb the loss in the near term. The bonus supplement will be paid as a one-time payment computed from June 30 payroll and distributed in July per the administrator’s plan.

What remains to watch: the housing assessment work with the Northern Neck Planning District Commission and the board’s planned community outreach about transfer-station changes and other resident-facing operational changes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting Mon, 06/09/2025 - 06:00 pm Video 1","oneSentenceSummary","At its June meeting the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors adopted a series of resolutions, accepted state and local appropriations, approved administrative changes to the county website domain and transfer-station policy, accepted two roads into the state secondary system and authorized a one-time 1.5% bonus for county staff.","taxTitle","Westmoreland County, Virginia","taxId",52342,"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},6701576,"Emergency management and EMS outline hurricane-season preparations; county adds ambulances and shelter assets",619,3077000,3696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9&start=3077&end=3696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6701576/Westmoreland-County/Virginia/Emergency-management-and-EMS-outline-hurricane-season-preparations-county-adds-ambulances-and-shelter-assets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701576-7126f4a3de433b85aa94a1ed8a98950a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153102&Signature=IbF12wz1EquTJOAX4Ul3TYlmjsb11ItG0M4Ld21cl78zKZA3Ctz-rTmKmeo43Pu3hk9EpgrG6HHuUMo4AddhwpLYJH7t9nLBRcoxu4v5txsEHOOcemvjFAbBYC0Shbegan19ya2yUsQ4O-99mU4AMLlDtEEHvDvRjmB8oH1PX76ZeEeZw5WzVAfVA4gpc4~OMWNg446qkS3Y~1g5IXsytv2bGEJd4CnDZGTr50FI9rvDflEfasZW1IoclD5jSkXTCkb3hwzo94NQCuA8uIKN6NbEMZ6fxXdPqrMBG95k0zSYWuQEHyIS4raTW0Zas~fse58OupqoXFabxkwCxx-vgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westmoreland County emergency management and EMS staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on hurricane-season preparedness, shelter capacity and recent investments in emergency medical equipment.

Chief Byrd, representing emergency services, said education and preparedness are central ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season that began June 1. Staff urged residents to sign up for the county alert system (RAVE/CodeRed) and to know their evacuation zone; county staff said about 3,500–4,000 residents are signed up so far and that the county plans outreach to increase enrollment. Chief Byrd described the county’s flood and surge vulnerabilities, noting the county’s geography between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers increases risk of tidal flooding and storm surge.

The county said it has two designated shelters: Westmoreland High School (new high school location) and Washington District Elementary School. Combined sheltering capacity was presented as about 600 persons; officials said, if shelters reach capacity, they will coordinate with the state to identify alternatives.

EMS updates: staff reported two new ambulances are now in service (one based in Colonial Beach and one in the Oak Grove area). The department also placed new Lifepak 35 cardiac monitors into service to improve field diagnostics. County EMS reported it received the American Heart Association Mission Lifeline gold status for cardiac and stroke care — the county said this marks six consecutive years at that recognition level.

The county described an emergency operations asset purchased with an Emergency Management Planning Grant: a disaster kit quartered in Mount Holly that contains cots, basic hygiene supplies and other shelter equipment. Officials said the county is seeking a second, separate asset to position equipment east, central and west for faster sheltering response.

Chief Byrd summarized: \"Education is the most important piece with any type of weather event,\" and urged residents to prepare a kit with at least three days of food and water, account for pets and medication needs, and identify meeting points for family members. The county plans outreach events and printed materials tied to transfer-station mailings and other distributions to boost enrollment in the alert system and public awareness.

What the board asked for: supervisors requested printed flyers to include alert-signup instructions alongside the county’s transfer-station mailing and suggested more visible, consistent outreach so residents who do not use social media or local papers receive emergency-notification information.

","County emergency management and EMS briefed the board on hurricane-season readiness, shelter capacity and new EMS equipment and ambulances, and urged residents to sign up for alert systems.",{"_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},6701565,"Residents urge stronger county solar policy and expanded public notice during board’s public comment period",540,6891000,7431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9&start=6891&end=7431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9/thumbnail_6891000.jpg","/articles/6701565/Westmoreland-County/Virginia/Residents-urge-stronger-county-solar-policy-and-expanded-public-notice-during-boards-public-comment-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701565-9eef382c7010b40a67108a5cb8d3c016/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153102&Signature=hBKOxym~ptsNb9rZDSti4NrAIT9RHivso2kB8JA-5sHYByURvhATX-mPkc~jEyUZwkDpfbJN~3RYjNg6cIiiN4JLROdK2qQRVR02AX1mz9MafaUdrN0GQxOcddHUbyECQSFOYIn3rShMT7b67v0RrFF8Tpm54dxCCoxQ2X2~22WivAyr2J6UbkOwr9WgZj44JZw~4ZsBaovzAna73Fevt-Pk4~MBm6g0uJZKuvDId3i6tjOed-h-jte67MsxlBN74uNkRt8ue4pmGiaf08yPofsXPwvk6v9aZ3ojw6LjohcH3vUQQxPRCdI2fmg1TmDSKeMhlYb2Q6aw1jGKAL40eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period, Heather Fanning (Pomona Road) urged the board to strengthen the county’s solar policy and expand notice and buffering requirements for commercial solar projects.

Fanning said the policy the board approved the prior month is “really lacking” because it defines utility-scale projects using an arbitrary size threshold (projects of 5 megawatts/50 acres up to 100 acres) and does not provide guidance for non-residential projects smaller than those thresholds. She said that inconsistency leaves many projects with little or no standards and that 85% of the recently approved solar special exceptions would not fall under the policy’s protections.

Fanning urged several specific changes: broader public-notice requirements (including social media and signs visible from all vantage points), larger vegetative setbacks and buffers for projects adjacent to residences, a prohibition or stricter review of contiguous parcels that allow multiple adjacent projects to functionally create a larger operation, and added protections for historic sites and non-consenting dwellings.

She criticized a recent approval along Pomona and Longfield roads that included a 25-foot existing-vegetation buffer and said that a larger new buffer and greater setbacks would better protect nearby residents and viewsheds.

The remarks were part of the public-comment period. No board action was taken at the meeting in response to the comments; the speaker asked the board to revisit the policy and to consider a moratorium or an ordinance to establish firm standards covering all non-residential solar facilities.

","A resident criticized the board’s newly adopted solar policy as too narrow and called for broader standards, larger buffers and wider notice for solar special-exception applications.",{"_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},6701570,"State plans interim repairs at Gardy’s Mill dam; county to hold community meeting",48,226000,274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9&start=226&end=274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5379613-b33b41d02287eaf0add2431195d93ed9/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6701570/Westmoreland-County/Virginia/State-plans-interim-repairs-at-Gardys-Mill-dam-county-to-hold-community-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701570-201f5709d9930bc2f3e882dd78a1c32e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153102&Signature=o6-QBWT8j7Jw4rcqlpflf5RwDSoalDTfah3VPfO0fwZtos37vHPh8tpYBCmkgCr-HcIvwKaBBshLjXI83~ErPkYNenKxyYCgnA7Un3SEjm0CKAe76WukfuCIrz7Py-d1VRbRyGNuBvHeAt~7f6IprkyQCue5lvii4ThGfvyCoCRlS5AHnWJcr1Yprx4YrcZKFAH7qhmGz13N-r--FzgMleaK3LB~m9ke6ptpF9An5YJVmKrPjE2X4Bto77HdGKbQn-w~OLdfocEf3ra0B5jF43290BlIsqRAkhgYVGlC5Wpa4RaH8ht5xzB-9KKSgClSKvQc9UxwTvF80qLyDISz4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westmoreland County administrator told the board that the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is working on an interim repair plan for the breach at Gardy’s Mill.

The administrator said DWR and contractors plan to construct a trench through the dam, down to the pond bed, to drain the impoundment. That trench will allow engineers to inspect the breach, reduce pressure on the remaining dam structure and protect the site from further erosion, the administrator said. Staff had been conducting daily safety checks on the site while water levels remained high near the damaged box culvert.

County officials said the DWR approach will reduce daily staffing needs to monitor the structure once the trench bypass is in place. The administrator said the county and DWR plan a community meeting in the coming months to present both short-term stabilization work and longer-term plans for the dam and affected road closures.

The administrator’s comments were informational; no board action was required at the meeting. The county said it will provide public notice with time and location for the community meeting when details are finalized.

","County administrator said the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will construct a trench to drain the pond at Gardy's Mill and allow engineers to assess a breach and stabilize the dam; county plans a community meeting to discuss short- and long-term plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves package of resolutions, appropriations and policy changes; bonuses approved for county employees

Emergency management and EMS outline hurricane-season preparations; county adds ambulances and shelter assets

Residents urge stronger county solar policy and expanded public notice during board’s public comment period

State plans interim repairs at Gardy’s Mill dam; county to hold community meeting