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Board approves $20,000 for farmer storm relief and $4,000 for MudMixer tool
Summary
Supervisors approved a $20,000 disaster relief program for agricultural storm damage and authorized up to $4,000 from Northern District capital funds to buy a MudMixer for Soil & Water use; board asked Soil & Water to present a multi‑year equipment plan.
Tazewell County supervisors voted Jan. 7 to allocate existing funds for agricultural storm relief and to purchase a shared piece of equipment to help farmers with post‑storm recovery.
The board approved a motion to proceed with a draft Hurricane Helene agricultural disaster relief program and to use $20,000 that the county had previously budgeted for storm relief. County staff and Soil & Water Conservation staff described the program as an emergency, one‑time pool of funds for reimbursement or short‑term assistance; officials said the $20,000 would be distributed through Soil & Water (the county’s agricultural support organization) under a program guideline the board reviewed.
Supervisors discussed the limited size of the pool—roughly $20,000 for about 500 farmers—and noted it would not make farmers whole but could provide modest, targeted help. Staff recommended using the agency to administer reimbursements and encouraged Soil & Water to submit a three‑ to five‑year equipment and replacement plan for consideration in the FY‑26 budget.
The board also approved a separate motion to purchase a “MudMixer” (concrete/mud mixing tool) for the Soil & Water educational program, authorizing up to $4,000 from the Northern District capital improvement funds. A supervisor said the MudMixer had been used successfully elsewhere and recommended the county purchase one equipment unit for shared rental/use by farmers through Soil & Water’s program.
Supervisor Crews moved the $20,000 allocation; the motion carried on a voice vote. Supervisor Crews later moved the $4,000 purchase from Northern District funds; the motion also passed. The county administrator confirmed Soil & Water could administer distributions and encouraged formal budget requests for larger equipment purchases in FY‑26.
Ending: Soil & Water will administer the relief program and accept requests under the guidelines approved by the board; staff will bring a multi‑year equipment plan to the budget process for further consideration.
