Prince George supervisors authorize school carryover, grant applications and multiple contracts; OK opioid settlements

Prince George County supervisors on Sept. 9 approved a series of budget, grant and contract measures and heard reports from VDOT and the James River Soil and Water Conservation District.

The board approved a budget amendment to appropriate $725,000 in school division carryover funds so the division can replace five aging mobile classrooms and address erosion repairs at J.E.J. Moore Middle School. The motion to approve the amendment was made by Supervisor Cox and seconded by Supervisor Wymack; the roll call vote was unanimous.

The amendment was presented as a request from the school division to access a portion of anticipated fiscal 2025 carryover before the county audit is complete so the division can begin urgent work. A school representative identified in the meeting as Miss Drury said the division will reduce a future carryover request if the county grants these funds and that preliminary FY25 numbers indicate sufficient operating fund revenues to cover the appropriation.

The board also authorized the recovery court coordinator to apply for a DCJS (Department of Criminal Justice Services) Burns State Crisis Intervention Program grant. Katie Danahell, identified in the meeting as the Recovery Court Coordinator, said the competitive grant covers an 18-month period (Jan. 2026–July 31, 2027) with no local match and that her application requests $140,184 to fund a paid defense-attorney contract, an intern, a part-time deputy, housing assistance for participants, equipment, and travel. Supervisor Cox moved and Supervisor Pew seconded the authorization; the motion carried unanimously.

On capital and operations matters, the board awarded a contract for a feasibility and facility study related to Fire Station 6 to FGM Architects at a price not to exceed $72,500. Prince George Fire Chief Casares told the board the station needs replacement and that the study will evaluate the current site plus two alternate sites and include stakeholder meetings and cost analyses. Supervisor Pew moved to award the contract and Supervisor Cox seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

County staff asked the board to authorize execution of a short-term contract with attorney Sherry Gill to provide regular and emergency legal services to the Department of Social Services. A department representative described recurring legal needs in child-welfare and adult-services cases and said the requested contract rate is lower than the alternate outside counsel. Supervisor Pugh moved and Supervisor Wymack seconded the authorization; the motion passed unanimously.

The board voted to authorize a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amendment to change County Code section 74-193 from annual real-estate assessments to biennial assessments, with the public hearing scheduled for Oct. 14, 2025 and an effective date proposed of Jan. 1, 2027 if adopted. Jason Cowan from the assessor’s office confirmed staff capacity to perform reassessments in-house and said staff could perform another reassessment sooner if the board preferred. Supervisor Cox moved to authorize the public hearing; Supervisor Pew seconded and the measure passed unanimously.

The board approved a third amendment to the Verizon lease for the Burrowsville cell tower to permit replacement of antennas and equipment listed in the lease exhibit. The motion to approve the lease amendment was moved by Supervisor Pew and seconded by Supervisor Cox; the measure carried unanimously.

On opioid litigation, the board voted to accept the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan and to participate in the related direct settlement that would resolve claims tied to Purdue and the Sackler family; outside counsel recommended participation. The board also voted to participate in settlements with eight opioid manufacturers (listed in the county materials). County staff estimated the county’s share of the Purdue/Sackler-related payments at approximately $139,347 over a 15-year schedule and estimated about $22,018 from the manufacturers’ settlement. Motions to accept the Purdue plan and the manufacturer settlements were approved on unanimous roll calls.

The board authorized renewal and execution of the fiscal 2026–27 performance contract with Greater Reach Community Services (the local Community Services Board) so the board can meet the Sept. 30 state deadline and ensure continued receipt of state-controlled funds. The board separately authorized the county administrator to execute the agreement. Supervisor Wymack moved to authorize the county administrator to sign; Supervisor Cox seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Other business approved by the board included a mutual-aid agreement between Prince George Fire & EMS and Fort Lee; reappointments and appointments to the Social Services Advisory Board, Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (Scott Ennis, director of general services), and the Recreation Advisory Commission; and several routine consent-agenda items. Those motions passed on unanimous roll calls.

During reports, Crystal Smith, VDOT residency administrator, provided timing on road projects (Queen Street to begin in spring; a proposed roundabout at Middle and Jefferson scheduled for late next year; Middle and 156 fully funded in 2029). Brianna Moring, district manager of the James River Soil and Water Conservation District, described the district’s work with local farmers and residents, noting more than $1.4 million distributed to producers through the agricultural cost-share program, 11,600 acres in Prince George with nutrient-management plans, and roughly $87,000 provided to residents for suburban conservation practices such as rain gardens and permeable driveways.

Votes at a glance (motions approved, roll-call outcomes): - School budget amendment/appropriation, $725,000 (move: Supervisor Cox; second: Supervisor Wymack) — approved unanimously. - Authorization to apply for DCJS crisis intervention grant (Recovery Court) for $140,184 (move: Supervisor Cox; second: Supervisor Pew) — approved unanimously. - Mutual aid agreement with Fort Lee Fire/EMS (move: Supervisor Pew; second: Supervisor Wymack) — approved unanimously. - Award contract to FGM Architects for Fire Station 6 feasibility study, not to exceed $72,500 (move: Supervisor Pew; second: Supervisor Cox) — approved unanimously. - Authorization to contract with attorney Sherry Gill for short-term Social Services legal services (move: Supervisor Pugh; second: Supervisor Wymack) — approved unanimously. - Authority to advertise public hearing on proposed biennial assessments (County Code §74-193) (move: Supervisor Cox; second: Supervisor Pew) — approved unanimously. - Verizon Burrowsville tower lease amendment (move: Supervisor Pew; second: Supervisor Cox) — approved unanimously. - Acceptance of Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan and participation in related Sackler settlement (move: Supervisor Wymack; second: Supervisor Pew) — approved unanimously. - Participation in settlements with eight opioid manufacturers (move: Supervisor Cox; second: Supervisor Wymack) — approved unanimously. - Greater Reach Community Services Board FY26–27 agreement and authority for county administrator to execute (move: Supervisor Wymack; second: Supervisor Cox) — approved unanimously. - Multiple board and advisory appointments and routine consent items — approved unanimously.

Why it matters: the decisions advance near-term school capital work, fund services for a locally centered specialty court program, initiate a study needed to plan replacement or renovation of a fire substation, and position the county to receive settlement funds tied to national opioid litigation. Several items also required ratification to meet state or contractual deadlines.

What’s next: the schools will proceed with contract work once funds are transferred; recovery-court staff will submit the DCJS grant application by the announced deadline; the FGM feasibility study will proceed under the county administrator’s authority; and the assessor’s office will hold the Oct. 14 public hearing on the proposed change to biennial assessments before the board considers final adoption. The county’s share of opioid settlement dollars will be distributed on the schedule set by the settlement agreements.