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Board approves multiple local contracts and appropriations, tables two ordinance items
Summary
The Washington County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved several procurement awards and appropriations — including a solid waste training facility contract and a $119,870 parks and recreation master plan — approved a resolution opposing an AEP rate increase, and tabled first readings of a fire‑operations budget and an increase to the transient occupancy tax for further review.
At its April meeting the Washington County Board of Supervisors voted on a series of routine and substantive agenda items following the Motorola presentation and public comment.
Votes and key outcomes
- Consent agenda (including an added Damascus July 3 fireworks permit): approved unanimously, 7‑0.
- Award of cooperative procurement and contract for public safety radio (Motorola Solutions Inc.): approved 7‑0. (See separate article for details.)
- Tentative county operating budget line for FY24‑25 fire operations: supervisors made a motion to table the item to the board’s second May meeting to continue discussions with the Town of Abingdon and the fire chief; motion carried 7‑0.
- First reading of an ordinance to amend county code to raise the transient occupancy tax (short‑term rentals such as VRBO/Airbnb) from 5% to 7%: staff requested authorization to schedule and advertise a public hearing, but board members raised concerns about reporting and collection mechanics; the first reading was postponed to the next meeting to allow members time to review and discuss, motion passed 7‑0.
- No‑wake zone request at Moonshine Drive (two buoys): board approved forwarding its approval to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for final action; motion carried 7‑0.
- Award of contract for new training and break room facility (Solid Waste Department) to Trademark of Virginia: lowest responsive bid $568,800 less $21,600 in value engineering (base bid $547,200) with estimated contingencies and project costs bringing the budgeted project cost to $575,000; the board approved awarding the contract and a transfer of $172,200 from the reserve for capital projects, 7‑0.
- Supplemental appropriation for Children's Services Act (CSA) funding: approved $600,000 appropriation; staff clarified the state share is $434,400 and the local share $165,600 (to be covered by interest earned), vote 7‑0.
- Parks and recreation master plan (Berry & Dunn): approved cooperative procurement for $119,870 to study a 3‑ to 10‑year parks and rec strategy including public engagement and stakeholder meetings; board approved 7‑0.
- Resolution opposing Appalachian Power (AEP) rate increase request (Resolution 2024‑13): board approved the resolution opposing the AEP rate request, citing rising rates and reliability concerns across parts of the county; vote 7‑0.
Executive session and adjournment
The board convened a closed session under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(29) to discuss the award of a public contract and bargaining strategy, then reconvened, certified compliance with FOIA and adjourned the meeting.
