Wythe County approves multiple public-safety grants, rescue squad award and FY27 budget calendar

Wythe County supervisors on Jan. 13 accepted several state grants and advanced the county's FY27 budget process.

Staff asked the board to accept four Department of Criminal Justice Services grants: a V-STOP grant for the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for $33,002.25 and three sheriff's office grants — an unmanned-aircraft replacement program grant for $22,006.74, an Operation Ceasefire forensic and analytic technology grant for $200,000, and an Operation Ceasefire law enforcement grant for $150,000. The board approved acceptance of all four grants as presented.

Separately, staff reported that the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund had awarded Wythe County $21,075.42 to purchase CPR mannequins (adult and child), airway management trainers, an obstetrical mannequin, recruitment-video production and marketing, and stop-the-bleed kits. The board approved accepting the grant and appropriating the funds to the specified line item.

The board also approved an amendment and appropriation of $3,750 to the police activity fund for fundraising calendars promoted by local businesses.

On budgeting, staff presented and the board adopted the FY27 budget calendar: departmental budget submissions due Feb. 13; first draft March 6; budget presentation meetings in March; proposed levy and public hearing in early May and final adoption at the last May meeting. Staff said the schedule may be revised later depending on state actions.

All grant acceptances and the budget calendar were approved by motion and roll-call where recorded.