The Hampton County administrator (Speaker 4) told council on Jan. 5 that county leadership will focus on five strategic goals this year and highlighted several operational initiatives including a $2-per-hour pay increase for county employees, upgrades to the countyfinancial system and work to retain HUD funding tied to a recreational project.

In the meeting, the administrator summarized a list of priorities and next steps: rebidding a compensation/classification study after the selected consultant withdrew; presenting a draft capital improvement plan for departmental review; making a $2 pay increase effective Jan. 30; continuing Springbrook system upgrades and reconciliation with the bank to speed financial reporting; and preparing a reassessment public town hall. "Those are quick updates about the priorities, from a strategic standpoint," Speaker 4 said.

The administrator said the fire and EMS study is "about 95% complete" and that the county will share the study within about a week so council and department heads can review its recommendations. He also addressed a HUD allocation of $3,000,000 that the county is trying to realign to fit a feasible recreational project. "We know $3,000,000 is not enough to build a recreational center," Speaker 4 said, "but it is a good start for us to get some things done."

Other operational initiatives discussed included a payroll audit nearing completion, a transition from paper to an automated Bamboo HR time-and-payroll process, a county broadband assessment, and a planned Exit 38 lighting project in coordination with Dominion Energy and a selected vendor. The administrator said the county is scheduling millage classes with state officials to help the public understand how millage and reassessment work.

Council members asked clarifying questions about Springbrook's capacity, the timing of a school property transfer and the intended use of HUD money. The administrator said some discrepancies exist between public perception and the original HUD submission and that staff are "trying to realign that conversation where it makes sense for the county." He encouraged town-hall style public meetings so residents could ask questions directly and staff could explain technical topics in lay terms.

The administrator closed by saying an annual audit presentation is scheduled for the next council session and that staff would present additional reports on payroll and finance at subsequent meetings.