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Lunenburg supervisors approve $400,748 in CARES funds for schools, accept grants and approve election equipment
Summary
The board accepted and appropriated $400,748 in CARES Set-Aside funds for school COVID prevention and virtual learning, voted to hold $140,900 in carryover funds until year-end, accepted multiple grants totalling several hundred thousand dollars, approved a $2,900 biannual cleaning contract, authorized $100,000 from a Homeland Grant for radios and approved Demtech electronic pollbooks for upcoming elections.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors approved a series of appropriations, grants and procurement decisions intended to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for elections.
James Abernathy, assistant school superintendent and finance director, told the board enrollment was 1,533 students and requested acceptance and appropriation of $400,748 in CARES Set-Aside funds to support virus mitigation, virtual learning technology and meal distribution. The board unanimously approved the appropriation and noted more CARES funding could follow to address learning loss and facility repairs to improve air quality.
Abernathy also reported $140,900 in FY2019-20 carryover funds identified in the county audit. Supervisor Robert Zava noted those funds are ordinarily held until the next fiscal year; the board voted unanimously to hold the carryover funds through the end of the fiscal year and roll them into the next fiscal year if unused.
Administrator Tracy M. Gee listed several other grants accepted and appropriated by the board: CRF towns utilities funding for Kenbridge ($8,935) and Victoria ($5,921); Fast Track to Broadband ($85,000 award with $8,500 CARES match); a DCJS law enforcement grant ($49,192); Registrar CTCL Safe & Secure funding ($9,890); a $25,000 Community Impact grant (in-kind); Health Equity EMPG-S funds ($49,608 with $24,804 CARES match); and Tobacco Commission funding ($439,068 with a $219,534 Kinex match). The board approved acceptance and appropriation of these grants by unanimous vote.
Administrator Gee also presented a single bid from Southern Maintenance Service for cleaning carpets and tile in county buildings at $2,900 per six months; the board accepted the bid. Victoria Fire and Rescue Chief Rodney Newton requested the use of $100,000 from 2020 Homeland Grant Radiocache funds to buy 20 communications radios; the board approved using $100,000 for that purchase.
Electoral Board Secretary Ollie Wright advised the board the state requires jurisdictions to use electronic pollbooks after November 2020. He presented a Demtech quote for 12 pollbooks and three spares at the state procurement cost of $24,827 for hardware/software/training and $1,875 for annual support; the board unanimously approved the Demtech procurement. Wright also said the county must meet Voter Registration System Security Minimum Security Standards and suggested three staffing options (hire part-time county staff, outsource, or make the assistant registrar full time); Supervisor Hoover asked the electoral board to provide cost estimates for each option before further action.
Administrator Gee said CARES funds use was extended through 2021 and that about $1.45 million of CARES funds were obligated; remaining funds would be reserved for emergent pandemic-related needs.
