District 19 asks Dinwiddie for $137,024 annual local match; board hears update on services and planned name change

Terrell Steward, executive director of the District 19 Community Services Board (CSB), appeared before the Board of Supervisors Feb. 18 to request a local appropriation of $137,024 from Dinwiddie County — an increase of roughly $14,000 over the prior year — representing the county’s share of the CSB’s required local match.

Steward reviewed District 19’s catchment area (nine localities) and described services that span the life course, crisis response and regional supports. He said the CSB has both clinic and residential facilities that are currently leased, and the agency is exploring relocating its Dinwiddie clinic onto property it owns to reduce rent overhead and reinvest savings into mobile services and staff salaries. He said District 19 pays more than $875,000 annually in rent across locations and aims to manage that cost growth.

Steward noted staffing shortages are an ongoing issue and said the agency is working to increase pay and expand mobile services to address gaps. He also told the board that the CSB will be changing its operating name to Greater Reach Community Services Board following internal votes; the CSB plans a formal launch in May 2025 and will send a formal resolution to localities for record updates.

Supervisor questions touched on staffing, how opioid-abatement funds might be routed (the board confirmed District 19 would be a partner on some opioid-abatement projects) and how the CSB’s state funding uncertainty influences local asks. Steward said state funding totals are uncertain until the state budget is finalized and that the requested local appropriation reflects current best estimates.

Ending: The presentation provided context for the CSB’s request as the county proceeds into budget season; the board did not take a vote on the appropriation at the meeting but had the funding request for consideration during upcoming budget deliberations.