Alleghany County allocates $1.5 million for transfer station; amends LGC loan application to $1,360,000

Alleghany County commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $1.5 million from the county’s general fund balance toward the county transfer station project and approved an amended resolution to apply for a Local Government Commission (LGC) rural economic development loan and grant in the amount of $1,360,000.

The allocation was presented as a partial commitment of “skin in the game” while the county awaits word on the LGC loan application, which staff said will not be decided until December or January. Bids for the transfer-station construction are expected to go out in February if the county secures financing.

County senior project and operations manager David Spicer summarized the project status and timeline, saying the county had completed the original scope of work and had a few change orders remaining for courthouse cabinetry and handrails. On the transfer station specifically, he said the county has nearly exhausted the smaller internal set-aside for the project: “We know we have additional invoices that are gonna come in for TRC,” and staff asked the board to consider using fund balance for the project.

Finance director April Hamm told the board the county’s available fund balance was $11,736,233 and that a $1.5 million allocation would reduce that to roughly $10.2 million. Board discussion noted the county had previously discussed $1.5 million to $2 million. “So the board could allocate 1 and a half now. We could go back if needed sometime later on in the year after we get our final audit for fiscal year 25,” Hamm said.

The board approved the $1.5 million allocation by motion; a second followed and the vote was 4-0.

Separately during the meeting staff presented the county’s LGC application materials for the rural economic development loan and grant program and noted a letter of intent had arrived showing an increase of $60,000 to the principal previously discussed. The resolution submitted to the board was amended to reflect a $1,360,000 principal amount and approved by the board. Staff emphasized the $60,000 difference could be a state-side revision or an eligible increase; they said they would amend the record later if needed.

Spicer also said the transfer station project still requires environmental and floodplain surveys and coordination with TRC, the design firm, and the electrical cooperative. He indicated those surveys were in progress and that the project remained on schedule for the next steps.

The board’s formal motions and votes on both the general-fund allocation and the amended LGC resolution were recorded as approved 4-0.

The county will notify bidders and proceed with procurement steps only after finalizing required financing and completing outstanding environmental and survey work.