Finance committee debates fire-rescue vehicle rotation, Danville training center and CIP changes

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee on Feb. 18 reviewed proposed changes to the county capital improvements plan and discussed how the county funds fire and rescue apparatus and training.

Committee members debated removing several items from the 2026–2030 CIP, including a proposed one‑time $75,000 county contribution toward improvements at the Danville training center; a county recycling center previously budgeted at $100,000 in fiscal 2026 and $550,000 in 2027; a reduced joint school parks/grounds line item (requested $60,000, reduced to $15,000); and a $500,000 ladder truck line appearing in FY2026–FY2029. County staff said those items had been removed from the current draft CIP packet presented to the committee.

Why it matters: the items affect how the county pays for large public‑safety vehicles, interlocal training arrangements with the City of Danville and planned capital projects. Committee members pressed for clearer equipment‑condition data and for a formal replacement rotation before approving large appropriations.

The committee heard from a public safety representative identified in the meeting as Mr. Key, who answered questions about ambulance replacement and apparatus rotation. Committee members said they had recently commissioned a study but still lacked answers on the current condition of equipment and an operational replacement schedule. “Most everybody has at least a 20‑year apparatus that they're trying to replace,” Mr. Key said, noting that several county ambulances are high‑mileage and that acquiring a new ambulance is a two‑ to three‑year process.

Supervisors raised concerns about equity between paid county crews and volunteer departments. Supervisor Tucker and others urged a comprehensive review of equipment condition, manpower and turnover before approving large purchases, saying volunteers in some parts of the county felt overlooked. “We need to take a deep dive, take a look at all of our equipment … and understand the need versus the rotation,” Supervisor Tucker said.

Committee members discussed specific line items remaining in the CIP packet: pole pads estimated at $120,000 for precinct upgrades; SCBA (self‑contained breathing apparatus) packs and accessories estimated at $18,000; a $435,000 ambulance request for Station 4; and proposals to increase county contributions to volunteer fire engines and ambulances by $100,000 per unit. Mr. Key confirmed the ambulance requested for Station 4 was needed and that an existing ambulance at Station 640 was out of service after a mechanical failure the night before the meeting.

The Danville memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the joint training center drew particular scrutiny. Committee members said they had received mixed signals from volunteer departments about whether they use the Danville facility. Staff told the committee the city had requested $150,000 for improvements and the city asked the county for $75,000; the county's share would be a one‑time payment rather than an annual cost. Committee members emphasized that the burn building and live‑fire training available at Danville are required for firefighter certification and that some county agencies travel to Lynchburg when they cannot use Danville.

Committee staff recommended postponing formal approval of the CIP because revenue estimates were not yet confirmed; staff said final revenue figures were expected by March 1. “For you all to approve something without really knowing what funds you have available … is probably not a very good idea,” county staff told the committee.

The committee did not adopt new CIP appropriations at the work session and did not take a final vote on the training‑center contribution. Several supervisors asked staff to return with clearer information: vehicle condition reports, an equipment rotation schedule, which volunteer agencies use the Danville training center, and any contractual obligations under the MOA before the county withdraws or alters participation.

Committee members thanked staff for the packet and said they would continue the discussion at future meetings.