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Board approves public-safety grants, equipment contract and appropriations for schools and court office
Summary
Henry County supervisors approved several appropriations and a contract award Feb. 25, including state fire-aid funds for a volunteer fire truck, a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant and local match for heart monitors, and additional state funds for schools and the clerk’s office.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved multiple appropriations and a procurement award Feb. 25 that will fund fire apparatus, medical monitors, a clerical court position and recalculated school funding.
The board voted 6-0 to appropriate $257,251 received from the fiscal-year 2025 Virginia Fire Programs Aid to Localities for the future purchase of a fire truck for the Collins Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Public Safety Director Matt Tatum presented the request and said the Emergency Services Advisory Council recommended acceptance of the funds.
Separately, the board approved acceptance of a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant of $177,876, authorized a local match of $177,876 from the general fund, and awarded a contract to Stryker Corporation for $355,007.52 to purchase six 12-lead heart monitors/defibrillators for the public safety operations division. Staff advised Stryker was authorized as a sole-source provider for the purchase and emphasized the role of a strong fund balance in seizing grant opportunities.
The board also approved a $20,000 appropriation to continue a part-time clerical position in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, using accumulated refunds and unbudgeted revenues identified by Clerk of Court Jennifer Ashworth.
On education funding, the board accepted $551,164 from the Virginia Department of Education resulting from recalculated average daily membership totals and increases for the Virginia Preschool Initiative. The county is required to provide a $32,204 local match; the board approved a total additional appropriation of $583,368 with the match coming from the general fund.
Each of the above motions passed unanimously by voice vote (6-0). The board packet included related background materials and staff noted the importance of fund-balance flexibility to respond to grant opportunities.
Votes at a glance: - Appropriation of $257,251 from Virginia Fire Programs Aid to Localities for Collins Hill VFD fire truck — approved 6-0. - Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant appropriation $177,876; local match $177,876; contract award to Stryker Corporation for $355,007.52 — approved 6-0. - Additional appropriation of $20,000 to the Clerk of Court for a clerical position — approved 6-0. - Additional appropriation of $551,164 from the Virginia Department of Education and $32,204 local match (total $583,368) — approved 6-0.
Clarifying details: the Stryker contract figure appears in meeting materials both as $355,752 and $355,007.52; the board motion recorded and voted on specified $355,007.52. The Rescue Squad Assistance grant requires a 50% local match; the board appropriated matching funds from the general fund.
