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Tazewell supervisors accept EMS donation, approve property purchase, grants and routine business
Summary
The board accepted a $35,000 donation from Appalachian Power Foundation for EMS equipment, approved a $325,000 purchase of a property for use as a fire station, granted a building variance for boat storage, renewed a sludge agreement, allocated $54,033 from health‑insurance tail funds (80/20 employer/employee), and approved a $100,000 CProp grant for Cabbage Creek.
At its Dec. 2 meeting the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors approved several routine and project items alongside its major vote on fire‑services reorganization.
Donation and EMS equipment: Representatives from the Appalachian Power Foundation presented a $35,000 check to Tazewell County EMS to fund a LifePak purchase. County leaders said the gift completes equipment parity across three modern ambulances. As one board member put it during the presentation, “These are very helpful.”
Property purchase for fire station: After an executive (closed) session, the board voted to purchase the former BMW Auto property in North Tazewell for $325,000 to be used as a fire station; the purchase will be paid from contingency with the county reserving the option to reimburse itself from anticipated April 2026 bond proceeds for related capital projects. The motion authorized the chairman to execute the contract.
Grants and funding: Staff reported 46 applications to the state DHCD flood relief program; 27 applications had been forwarded to DHCD, 11 approved and 16 pending. The board ratified polls to apply for DCR design funding (application cited at $750,000) and for a potential $7 million DCR implementation request to construct detention facilities in downtown Bluefield if awarded. The board also approved a Cumberland Plateau (CProp) grant agreement for $100,000 to build a beach at Cabbage Creek.
Agreements and budget items: The board renewed a 12‑month sludge‑treatment agreement with the Bluefield Sanitary Board at $27.36 per ton while a pending asset sale may change the counterparty next year. On nonprofit funding, the board approved paying Taking Action for Special Kids $2,700 (FY25 fourth quarter) from contingency, while cautioning against repeat late requests.
Employee benefits and funds: With $54,033.64 remaining in the health‑insurance tail fund, the board voted to apply 80% of the remaining balance to the employer share of future premiums and 20% to employee shares, distributed per insured employee (per capita) for the next premium period.
Other routine business: The board approved renaming Mudder Road to Lawson Drive contingent on petition verification and a $50 sign fee paid by petitioners; adopted airport authority bylaws as presented; declared a 2014 Ford Explorer (VIN referenced) surplus; and made several board and authority appointments. Supervisors also approved using enterprise zone incentive amendments to strengthen the county application, and approved surplus and equipment motions as listed on the consent calendar.
What happens next: Staff will finalize grant applications, execute the North Tazewell property purchase contract, and implement the health‑insurance distribution. The board set a recessed meeting for Dec. 15 to consider follow‑up items, including any ISO feedback on the fire ordinance.
