Board approves school and utility grants, and small reimbursements for emergency services

Cumberland County’s Board of Supervisors approved three budget items during its Nov. 12 meeting: two school grants totaling $119,937, a small PlanRVA reimbursement, and a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) award to upgrade backup generators at county pump stations.

Budget staff (Kaye) presented the October fiscal report and recommended appropriating $119,937 to Cumberland County Public Schools. That sum combines a $5,437 2024 School Security Equipment grant and a $114,500 School‑Based Mental Health grant; Kaye said the appropriation requires no additional local funding. "It is my recommendation that the board approve the appropriation request in the amount of $119,937 to Cumberland County Public Schools for purposes as outlined in each of the grants," Kaye said.

The board also approved a $362.25 appropriation to reimburse the emergency services department for a CPR instructor course using regional PlanRVA funds; the reimbursement will return previously charged departmental expenses to the emergency services budget.

Finally, Kaye described a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation infrastructure award of $400,423 to support automatic generators at five county pump stations. The county has received $201,662 of that award to date and the board approved appropriating those funds to the capital improvements project fund; Kaye said the county’s out‑of‑pocket cost for the infrastructure upgrade is approximately $2,500.

All three appropriations were moved, seconded and approved on verbal roll calls recorded in the meeting.