Henry County supervisors approve tax-deadline extension, $94.45 million in carryovers and multiple grants

The Henry County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Nov. 26 to extend the penalty-free payment deadline for 2024 personal property taxes to Feb. 5, 2025, after staff described delays in generating billing files.

Commissioner of the Revenue Tiffany Harrison told the board her office faced data and valuation challenges that made timely billing difficult this year; staff recommended the board waive penalties for payments made after the usual December deadline. A motion to extend the payment-deadline for this year passed 6-0.

The board also approved a slate of fiscal actions recommended by staff. Chief Financial Officer Daryl Jones presented a carryover list of committed FY24 funds totaling $94,453,402.40 (including interfund transfers of $14,507,318.80). Jones said most of the total represents grant-related appropriations or encumbrances — for example, funds tied to Commonwealth Crossing, school sales tax capital projects and debt service — and are separate from the county's undesignated fund balance. The carryover motion passed 6-0.

Other approvals included:

- $66,200 in additional appropriation for personnel and office expenses connected to the Commonwealth Attorney’s drug court program, funded through a grant managed by Piedmont Community Services (approved 6-0).

- $50,000 in additional appropriation to the school nutrition budget for a walk-in freezer at Phil Collinsville Middle School, funded by a reallocated National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant (approved 6-0).

- $332,701 in ESSER funds for a "Grow Your Own" teacher-apprenticeship program; school staff said participating employees will sign a three-year commitment or otherwise repay funds (approved 6-0).

- An award of a $198,500 contract to Daniel Builders LLC (Danville) to renovate six first-floor bathrooms in the Henry County Administration Building to meet ADA guidelines; staff said of the bidders, two were from Danville and one local bid was the highest, so the county selected the lowest responsive bid (approved 6-0).

- A resolution authorizing Henry County to participate in the Virginia Municipal Investment Trust (VMIT), a local government investment pool, with the elected treasurer designated as the county’s chief investment officer (approved 6-0).

Board members asked staff to continue clarifying carryover and fund-balance figures online for residents. The board took the actions under routine agenda items and did not amend the staff proposals.

The most recent formal actions are expected to be reflected in the county’s monthly financial reports and the posted meeting minutes.