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Board approves series of motions including SMR support letter, grants and facility funding
Summary
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 7 to advertise changes to a flood-hazard ordinance, send a letter of support for Appalachian Power's small modular reactor grant application, accept the FY2024 audit and approve multiple appropriations and capital projects.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted on a slate of motions at its Jan. 7 meeting, approving actions that range from regulatory steps on a flood-hazard ordinance to funding for school construction, public-safety facilities and park lighting.
Taken together the votes direct staff to advertise proposed changes to the flood hazard overlay district, authorize the county administrator to send a letter of support for Appalachian Power Company's small modular reactor early-site-permit grant application, accept the county's fiscal year 2024 audit, and approve several appropriations and capital expenditures. Board members made the motions during the regular meeting and each passed on voice votes.
Why it matters: The votes set several multi-step processes in motion. Advertising the flood ordinance starts the public hearing process required before adoption. The letter of support helps Appalachian Power Company pursue federal early-site-permit grant funding; the county still will participate in subsequent public review steps. Accepting the audit closes the county's formal review of FY2024 finances and triggers filing and reporting obligations. The appropriations and capital approvals commit county and outside funds to school construction, emergency training facilities and park infrastructure.
Key outcomes (motion text shortened; full motions recorded in the official minutes): - Ordinance 2024-6 (Flood Hazard Overlay): Motion to advertise ordinance 2024-6 for public hearing (mover: Mr. Tom Martin). Outcome: approved. Notes: staff said FEMA and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation required changes and asked the board to advertise quickly to meet FEMA's schedule for submission by Feb. 14, 2025.
- Appalachian Power Company (APCo) Small Modular Reactor (SMR): Motion to sign and send the attached letter of support for APCo's grant application for an early-site permit (mover: Mr. Wade). Outcome: approved.
- FY2024 audit: Motion to accept the FY2024 audit as presented (mover: Mr. Wade). Outcome: approved. Auditor Chris Banta of Brown Edwards reported a clean opinion with one longstanding internal-control matter and a minor federal reporting finding from the prior late filing; the county committed to follow-up and to address questions raised by supervisors about revenue projections.
- Appropriation to Amherst County Public Schools: Motion to appropriate funds to the school division for grants and a $10,000 donation from the Education Foundation (mover: Mr. Adams). Outcome: approved (staff reports referenced a larger construction grant in the $6.7 million range and related returns but specific line-item details were given to the board in a separate staff email).
- Emergency Services / Burn building: Motion to appropriate $75,000 from the Emergency Services Council capital reserve for two rooms and a balcony addition at the county burn training building (mover: Mr. Adams). Outcome: approved.
- VDOT Economic Development Access (Dillard site): Motion to approve a resolution supporting a VDOT design grant request for road improvements related to the Dillard industrial site and to place surety funds aside (mover: Mr. Wade). Outcome: approved. Board discussion noted the grant is reimbursable as design invoices are paid; the county will set aside up to $500,000 as surety in the general fund while design and right-of-way work proceed.
- Public safety vehicle purchase: Motion to appropriate $93,222 from various sources (sale proceeds, LATCF, CARES funds, supplemental and CIP savings as itemized in the staff report) for a replacement public-safety vehicle (mover: Mr. Adams). Outcome: approved.
- Coolwell park lights retrofit: Motion to appropriate $150,000 from the county's share of fines and forfeitures (20% fund set aside for parks) to retrofit field lights to LED (mover: Mr. Tom Martin). Outcome: approved.
- Economic Development Authority vacancy: Motion to reappoint Chad Eby to the EDA (mover: Mr. Tom Martin). Outcome: approved.
Board members asked staff to provide additional budget and revenue projections and scheduled deeper budget workshops before the formal budget work later this winter. Multiple motions passed by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.
Ending: The approvals begin follow-up steps: ordinances must be advertised and go to public hearing, design grants move into procurement and VDOT agreement phases, and appropriated funds will be transferred into the identified projects or accounts. Staff committed to provide the board more detailed revenue and reserve information in upcoming budget workshops.
