Public comments highlight Isaiah 117 House gratitude and local opposition to cigarette tax; senior services seek modest funding

During public comment, the board heard a mix of gratitude and concerns from community members and a funding request from a senior services group.

Savannah Harrison, location leader for the Washington County Isaiah 117 House, thanked supervisors for funding the group's first‑year budget and for support that enabled the facility to open. "I am approximately 2 months overdue with this, but... I brought some stuff to just say thank you," Harrison told the board.

Logan Patrick, a local retailer, urged supervisors to reconsider a cigarette tax increase, arguing that customers cross state lines to buy cheaper cigarettes and that higher cigarette taxes would depress broader in‑store sales and disproportionately affect lower‑income customers. Patrick said margins and differing state regulations limit local retailers’ ability to absorb price increases and warned of lost broader tax revenue if shoppers take purchases out of county.

Richard Denzau, representing Abingdon Washington County Senior Services Incorporated, provided an update on programming and facilities and requested the board consider allocating up to $5,000 from FY23 carryover funds to cover costs associated with applying for 501(c)(3) status, a charitable solicitation fee and a CPA bill. Denzau said the group operates at the McCabe Lodge of the Odd Fellows and has grown attendance to more than 40 people per meeting; the group asked to be considered during carryover allocations.

The board thanked the speakers and proceeded with the agenda. No formal board action on the cigarette tax was taken during the meeting; the senior services funding request was recorded as a request that the board may consider during carryover deliberations.