Lunenburg County supervisors approve FY24 audit, authorize early payroll and vote to withdraw from Virginia's Growth Alliance

The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2024 voted unanimously to accept the county’s FY24 audit, authorize an early payroll for Dec. 20 for school and county employees, appropriate several small budget carryovers and reappointments, and adopt a resolution to withdraw from Virginia’s Growth Alliance.

The action followed a presentation by Jay Sanudo of Robinson Farmer Cox Associates, who summarized the FY24 audit and said the only management concern was that the School Board’s annual budget notice had been advertised for five days rather than the seven days required prior to a public hearing. "The only concern noted was with the School Board annual budget notice," Sanudo said. He also reported the general fund reserve fell by about $1.6 million because of early debt payments and planned reserve use.

Chairman Alvester L. Edmonds opened the meeting and Administrator Tracy M. Gee asked the Board to authorize Dec. 20 as an early pay date for both County and School payrolls; Supervisor Robert Zava moved the resolution, which the Board unanimously approved. The Board separately accepted $3,700 in prior‑year carryover funds for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and appropriated $4,728.66 from Compensation Board vacancy savings for the Sheriff’s Office, with half of those funds designated for police supplies and half for training.

The Board also approved the consent agenda (minutes and warrants), confirmed multiple reappointments to local boards and commissions, and formally accepted the audit presented by Robinson Farmer Cox Associates.

The meeting included routine reports: Jessica Nowlin provided the monthly school report, reporting an average daily membership of 1,486, 132 students recorded as homeschooled and 32 claiming religious exemptions, and she said about 40% of annual revenue had been received to date. Kevin Smith of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said mowing on secondary roads was nearly complete and crews had completed a dry run of snow‑removal equipment while the department seeks additional contracted vendors for winter operations.

Animal Control Officer Ray Elliott reported on the shelter’s recent Ruff‑N‑It fundraiser, saying "an estimated $21,000 was raised," along with 500 pounds of donated food and $4,000 raised from a Mums for Mutts sale of 300 mums; Elliott said proceeds will fund spay/neuter, vaccines and other medical care for animals in Lunenburg County.

Administrator Gee also told the board that the Planning Commission approved a conservation easement request and that interest from solar facility companies continues; she said staff hopes to hold a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission by March to consider updates to the Joint Comprehensive Plan and move a solar ordinance update forward. Gee presented and the Board approved a resolution to withdraw the County’s membership from Virginia’s Growth Alliance, following the organization’s required six‑month notice period for withdrawal.

County Attorney Frank Rennie advised the Board that Meridian Waste had increased tipping fees effective Dec. 8, 2024 and that the change should appear on the county’s next quarterly payment.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes, Treasurer’s reports, warrants): motion by Supervisor Frank W. Bacon, second Mike Hankins — approved unanimously. - Early payroll date (Dec. 20) for School and County payrolls: motion by Supervisor Robert Zava, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously. - Commonwealth’s Attorney carryover appropriation ($3,700): motion by Supervisor Mike Hankins, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously. - Sheriff's Office vacancy savings appropriation ($4,728.66): motion by Supervisor Frank W. Bacon, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously. - FY24 audit acceptance: motion by Supervisor Frank W. Bacon, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously. - Reappointments to boards and commissions: motion by Supervisor Frank W. Bacon, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously. - Resolution to withdraw from Virginia’s Growth Alliance: motion by Supervisor Frank W. Bacon, second Edward Pennington — approved unanimously.

The Board adjourned following routine business. The Clerk recorded the meeting minutes; next procedural or substantive steps noted were the planned joint hearing on the Joint Comprehensive Plan updates and routine accounting adjustments to reflect the Meridian Waste fee change.