Bland County board approves $182,074 FY23 budget amendment, including $73,000 staff holiday bonuses

Bland County supervisors on Nov. 22 approved a $182,074 amendment to the county's FY23 budget that adds targeted appropriations for departmental programs and a $73,000 staff holiday bonus.

The vote, made by Keith Costello and seconded by Adam Kidd, passed unanimously. The amendment allocates Mount Rogers Community Services $6,559; Tourism $20,000; WCIV $10,000; E-Summons $25,460; a Community Impact Grant $12,500; Emergency Services $7,000; the Board Community Fund $2,000; the Sheriff's Department $25,555; and a Staff Holiday Bonus Program of $73,000.

The funding change was presented as an amendment to the agenda and approved after the board discussed departmental needs. County Administrator Dr. Eric Workman was present for the meeting and staff will implement the appropriations through routine fiscal processes.

The budget amendment follows the board's earlier consent approval of the Bland County School Board's December requisition in the amount of $887,126.08 and routine payroll and vendor payments for October and November. Those consent items were approved by motion of Stephen Kelley, seconded by Keith Costello, in a roll-call vote recorded as all yea.

The board did not set additional conditions on the newly appropriated funds during the meeting. Implementation details, including timing and administrative oversight for the staff bonus and departmental disbursements, will be handled by the county administrator and finance staff under existing county procedures.

The board adjourned after completing the evening's business. The actions taken on Nov. 22 are effective as recorded in the meeting minutes.