Board approves multiple purchases, budget transfers and procedural items; schedules special session Jan. 23

The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 9 approved a series of purchases, budget transfers and routine organizational items and scheduled a special meeting for Jan. 23 to receive the final UHY forensic audit presentation.

The board voted to approve the purchase of body-worn cameras and associated services for the sheriff’s office at a total cost of $93,402 and a supplemental budget amendment to fund that purchase. The board also approved the previously authorized LifePak purchase for emergency services and transfers and other technical budget adjustments for EMS and insurance reimbursements.

The board carried out routine organizational items: electing Mr. Haney chairman and Jimmy Brand vice chairman for 2025, adopting the bylaws as presented, and approving the board’s 2025 meeting schedule. The board also approved a revised holiday schedule to close county offices on Christmas Eve (amendment adopted) and approved a remote participation policy required by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

In financial actions the board approved: - A motion to purchase 22 body-worn cameras and related subscriptions and services for $93,402 and a supplemental appropriation to line item 3,102,509 to cover the expense. (Motion passed.) - A transfer of EMS billing funds of $167,676.21 to fund the LifePak 30.5 purchase previously approved by the board. (Motion passed.) - An insurance reimbursement deposit of $147.40 to line item 31023012. (Motion passed.) - A transfer of $65,000 from the EMS billing fund to cover overtime costs in emergency services. The transfer was presented as a one-time funding to cover expected overtime through the remainder of the fiscal year. (Motion passed.) - A supplemental appropriation to cover the outstanding balance for the UHY forensic audit (remaining invoice) so the county can pay the final invoice and host the auditor presentation; a special public session was set for Jan. 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to receive the auditor’s report. (Motion passed.)

Board votes were recorded by voice; the board approved each item by majority voice vote unless otherwise noted. Several motions were made by board members and seconded as required. No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for most routine items beyond voice votes. Where budget line-item numbers were stated during discussion, the board used those figures in motions and subsequent appropriations.

The board also authorized staff to advertise a proposed change to the elderly and disabled real-estate tax relief exemption (to increase the income/exemption thresholds) and set a public hearing for the Feb. 13 meeting, per staff request.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting): - Body-worn camera purchase and appropriation: $93,402 — approved. - LifePak 30.5 funding transfer: $167,676.21 — approved. - EMS overtime transfer: $65,000 — approved. - Insurance reimbursement to revenue line: $147.40 — approved. - UHY forensic audit remaining appropriation and scheduling of auditor presentation (Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m.) — approved. - Remote participation policy (FOIA compliance) — approved. - Adoption of bylaws and 2025 meeting schedule — approved. - Election of chair (Mr. Haney) and vice chair (Jimmy Brand) — approved. - Motion to advertise increase to elderly/disabled tax-relief exemption and public hearing Feb. 13 — approved.

The board indicated that detailed line-item motions and the published meeting minutes will show final appropriation ordinance language and recorded accounts once the administrative paperwork is completed.