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Board approves $62,500 emergency squad payment, forms advisory appointments to address staffing and operations
Summary
The Nottoway County Board of Supervisors voted to reappropriate $62,500 to the county emergency squad to cover payroll for a one-month period and approved supervisor appointments to an advisory panel as the county moves to expand 24/7 emergency coverage and address recruitment and retention of volunteers and paid staff.
The Nottoway County Board of Supervisors voted to reappropriate $62,500 to the Nottoway County Emergency Squad to cover payroll and operations for one month, and approved appointments of county supervisors and staff to a new advisory panel to oversee the squad’s transition toward expanded 24/7 coverage.
At the meeting, financial manager Logan Presley told the board the squad requested “one-twelfth of what we would be giving them in the next budget,” roughly $62,500, to meet payroll this fiscal year. Squad representative David Williams described staffing shortages and the county’s plan to fund an additional advanced-life-support (ALS) –qualified ambulance to provide more consistent coverage. Williams said the squad aims for transparency and will share payroll records and operating costs with the board.
Supervisor John Roark moved to reappropriate the $62,500; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Chairmen and staff said a county check would be issued on Monday, June 2. The board also agreed to keep a separate item on the Motorola equipment invoice under unfinished business for further investigation.
The board voted to appoint three representatives to the Nottoway County Emergency Squad advisory board: John Toth, Supervisor (name as recorded in minutes), Supervisor Rourke, and Buddy Hack (emergency services coordinator). The advisory body was characterized by supervisors as a monetary and oversight advisory panel: it will review payroll and revenue needs, recommend operational changes and return recommendations to the board for funding decisions. The advisory panel’s composition may be adjusted later to add a citizen representative if the squad and the board agree.
Supervisors and emergency-services staff discussed recruitment incentives, including an existing reduced personal-property tax rate for active volunteers (a one-dollar-per-vehicle tax) and potential options to expand tax relief or incentives to encourage volunteer enrollment and retention. Board legal counsel and finance staff were asked to prepare estimates of revenue impacts from potential changes (including removing the $1 personal-property fee or expanding levy adjustments) for a future work session.
Why it matters: The appropriation and advisory appointments are immediate steps to stabilize emergency coverage while the county debates longer-term changes such as paid staffing levels, volunteer incentives and revenue sources. Supervisors said the county needs more coverage, particularly during daytime hours when volunteers are often unavailable, and that the advisory board should produce recommendations for staffing, contract terms and revenue before final budget adoption.
