Community Services: Salvation Army donations, local assistance and county-owned car to be offered for sale

Louisa County Community Services presented a year-in-review and asked the board for direction on selling a county-owned vehicle obtained through estate procedures.

Staff reported that Salvation Army kettles raised $728.30 locally, and additional Salvation Army donations totaled $3,900 for a county total of $4,628.30 in the period noted; staff said those funds remain in Louisa County and are used to assist residents who need help with utilities, eviction prevention or similar emergency needs when county funds cannot cover the request.

The department reported December client traffic of 49 phone calls and 23 in-person visits. In December the office approved two requests (one rent assistance and one cremation) and denied one request for school-meal assistance; Salvation Army funds were used in at least one denied case to provide help.

Staff described a 2010 Chevy Impala now in county possession after the death of a local resident with no next of kin. The title is in hand, the vehicle has a new battery and cable, and the car has more than 220,000 miles and visible rust. Staff recommended advertising the vehicle for sealed bids and returning bids to the auditor's office to be opened at a future board meeting; the board agreed to open bids at the Feb. 18 meeting and for bids to be due by Friday, Feb. 14. The county clarified the advertisement/publication cost is typically paid by the listing office.

Staff also asked about replacing a small refrigerator in the break room; supervisors suggested checking available department funds and coordinating a modest purchase. No formal board action was requested beyond approving the previously noted administrative items.