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Appomattox County approves $13,000 reappropriation for sheriff amid debate over town contributions
Summary
The Appomattox County Board of Supervisors approved a $13,000 reappropriation to the sheriff's budget and heard extended debate about whether town-donated funds should be routed through the county or paid directly to vendors.
The Appomattox County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a reappropriation of $13,000 in town-donated funds to the sheriff’s budget after discussion about how the town’s contributions should be handled.
The money covers multiple line items the sheriff identified, including uniforms, fuel, academy dues and training, and a canine-related item. Sheriff Richardson told the board the donation package included some funds for FY2025 items and some for FY2026, and he described the accounting distribution the department requested. “For January this year to August present, we have written 1,136 summons in the county,” Sheriff Richardson said during his update before discussing the reappropriation.
The motion to approve the reappropriation was moved by Supervisor Carter and seconded by Reverend Jones; the board voted to approve the measure.
Board members debated whether the town should continue routing such donations through the county budget. Several supervisors urged a direct-payment approach — having the town pay vendors or issue a fuel card for the sheriff’s department — to avoid repeated bookkeeping and public concern. One supervisor noted the town could pay invoices directly so the town would know exactly what its money purchased.
County Administrator Miss Adams provided a detailed explanation of county financial practices in response to concerns about transparency and handling of the town funds. Adams described the county’s chart of accounts and audit cycle and emphasized that county accounting follows government accounting standards and multiple review steps before payments are issued. She said the FY2025 budget can still be amended before audit close in September to reflect revenues and expenses that arrive late in the fiscal year. “We are governed by the government accounting standards, and we do have a chart of accounts that every county in Virginia follows,” Adams said.
Supervisors expressed frustration with the public visibility of the debate, including email exchanges and social media posts, and several asked staff to work with town officials to develop a clearer, mutually acceptable process. Chairman Ford said he would work with county staff and the town manager to propose a common solution for future town contributions.
The board did not adopt a new ordinance during the discussion; supervisors indicated they would return with a proposal that could include an interlocal agreement or ordinance specifying how town donations to the sheriff should be handled going forward.
