Lunenburg County Board approves financing intent for emergency radio system; routine agenda items passed

The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 approved a resolution expressing official intent to reimburse expenditures with proceeds of bonds or other indebtedness for a countywide emergency radio system and handled routine business including personnel recognition and consent-agenda approvals.

R.T. Taylor of Davenport & Co., LLC, described a dual-track financing approach: applying to the Virginia Resources Authority pooled financing program and soliciting direct bank loan proposals. County Attorney Frank Rennie told the board a 10% down payment would be required before financing was completed. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution of official intent.

The board also unanimously approved a retirement resolution honoring Debra C. Crenshaw for 15 years of service as Administrative Assistant in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and adopted Resolutions of Achievement for the Lunenburg County Youth Baseball All-Star 8U, 10U and 12U teams.

Robert Zava moved and the board accepted the consent agenda, which included minutes, the treasurer’s June reports and multiple warrants and payroll items. Administrator Tracy M. Gee said the Electoral Board requested 13 printers, scanners and larger cases for electronic poll books at a cost of $4,594; she said voting machine funds would cover the unbudgeted purchase.

Administrator Gee presented a request from the Sheriff’s Office to declare four vehicles surplus and transfer them to the Lunenburg County Public School system; the board approved the transfer unanimously.

On land management, staff reported one bid of $1,500 from Aylor Forestry to cruise roughly 161 acres of county timber at 1320 Old Mansion Road. After consulting industry sources, staff advised the timber did not have sufficient commercial value to justify a cruise and mentioned an estimated chipping value of about $80,000; the board directed staff to decline the bid.

Planning and economic development staff distributed a draft Solar Facilities Ordinance for further review by the Planning Commission and the Solar Facilities Committee. The board also discussed a 2020 General Assembly law permitting localities to adopt a cigarette tax up to 40 cents per pack and form a regional board for administration; several supervisors said the county’s small number of retail points (four stores) made the tax unattractive and they opposed pursuing it for the county alone.

The board entered a closed session citing Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1), §2.2-3711(A)(3) and §2.2-3711(A)(29) for personnel, real property and contract matters, later certified compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and voted unanimously to return to open session. The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote.

The board is scheduled to meet next on its regularly scheduled date; Chairman Charles R. Slayton and Vice-Chair Frank Bacon indicated they will be absent from the September meeting and Supervisor T. Wayne Hoover will chair in their stead.