King and Queen supervisors approve Sentara, MPPDC leases and back $500,000 PDC credit line

The King and Queen County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved leases of parts of the county’s new Telework Center to Sentara Regional Medical Center and to the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, and authorized a support agreement enabling the PDC to maintain a $500,000 line of credit with the Virginia Resources Authority.

Chairman J.L. Simpkins opened public hearings for both leases on Nov. 13 at the county Courts and Administration Building. County Administrator Vivian Seay told the board the Sentara lease covers Suite 300, had been reviewed by Sentara’s legal counsel and county staff, and is tentatively set to begin Jan. 1, 2025. For the PDC, the proposed lease covers Suite 100 and two additional offices; the PDC is functionally exempt from the hearing requirement but the board held a hearing for transparency. "No comments were received from the public," the record shows. Each lease was approved by unanimous roll-call vote.

Separately, the board approved a county support agreement allowing the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission to maintain a $500,000 line of credit with the Virginia Resources Authority to help cash-flow reimbursement grants the PDC manages. County Administrator Seay said the line of credit would allow the PDC to cover expenses tied to reimbursement grants. Supervisor M.H. Norman asked for clarification about caps that would apply to each jurisdiction if the county approved the agreement; Seay did not specify a per-jurisdiction cap at the meeting. Supervisor S.C. Alsop noted that she has served on the PDC for many years and that it has never defaulted on obligations, and M.R. Berry said he had heard positive discussion at the PDC meeting and supported approval. The support agreement passed unanimously.

The board also received quarterly reports from county departments and agencies, including a representative from the Three Rivers Health District, the directors of Social Services and Community Development, the general registrar, Cooperative Extension, and the school superintendent. The body reappointed Jesse Holmes and Plunard Robinson to four-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2028; those motions carried on unanimous votes.

In other business County Administrator Vivian Seay said staff is gathering quotes to correct parking lot striping after a citizen concern was raised. Supervisors shared brief reports on the recent Virginia Association of Counties conference and a forthcoming board retreat to develop a two- to five-year business plan. Chairman Simpkins praised departmental work on the recent election and the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Actions recorded at the meeting were unanimous unless otherwise noted.