Charlotte County supervisors accept administrator’s resignation, adopt building-appeals fees and refer energy-storage rules back to planners

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 accepted County Administrator Daniel N. Witt’s resignation and approved several administrative and policy actions, including an ordinance change establishing compensation and an application fee for the Board of Building Appeals and a referral of proposed battery energy storage (BESS) rules back to the Planning Commission.

County Administrator Daniel N. Witt announced his retirement, effective Aug. 31, 2025, saying he will remain full-time through June 30, 2025 and reduce his schedule in July and August to use accrued vacation. The Board voted 6–1 to accept Witt’s resignation; Supervisor Gary D. Walker cast the lone no vote. The acceptance followed a closed session convened under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1) to discuss personnel matters, and the Board subsequently certified the closed session votes as required by state law.

The Board also adopted an amendment to Chapter 18 of the Charlotte County Code (Section 18‑33, Board of Appeals). Administrator Witt presented the amendment, and Supervisor Noah Davis moved — with Supervisor Henry Carwile seconding — to adopt the ordinance as presented. The amendment sets a compensation rate of $30 per meeting for Board of Appeals members and establishes a $300 application fee. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor.

On land‑use policy, Monica Elder presented the Planning Commission’s recommendation on siting and standards for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Vice‑Chair Hazel Bowman Smith and Supervisor Gary Walker raised concerns about Tier 1 sites near towns, decommissioning plans and minimum lot‑size rules; Walker suggested visiting an operational site in Chesterfield County. Vice‑Chair Smith moved and Supervisor Noah Davis seconded a motion to refer the BESS matter back to the Planning Commission for further review and possible revisions; the motion carried unanimously.

The Board approved a slate of appointments and financial items. Vice‑Chair Smith moved to appoint Chairman Walter T. Bailey and Administrator Daniel Witt to the Heartland Board (terms through Dec. 31, 2028 and Dec. 31, 2026, respectively); that motion passed. The Board appointed Curtis Morton to the Planning Commission (unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2027) and reappointed David C. Watkins II as the Town of Charlotte Court House representative on the Planning Commission through Dec. 31, 2028. The Board also appointed Robert Schaefer to the Board of Zoning Appeals (term to Dec. 31, 2029) and Kurtis Jones to the Industrial Development Authority (unexpired term to Dec. 31, 2025). The Piedmont Senior Resources vacancy was deferred to the next meeting.

On fiscal matters the Board approved FY2025 invoices totaling $465,148.11, approved additional invoices totaling $17,143.54 received after the January meeting, and approved appropriations totaling $19,589; all motions passed with unanimous aye votes from members present. The Board also approved a tax refund request rooted in Commissioner of Revenue Naisha Carter’s adjustments: Treasurer Patricia Berkeley presented a refund request totaling $25,342.56, which the Board approved.

In updates, Administrator Witt said a PJM Phase 2 study requires certain 115 kV transmission lines be upgraded to 230 kV; Dominion Energy has been assigned the upgrades, with construction anticipated to start in September 2025. Witt said that schedule will delay several local solar projects (named in the staff report as Courthouse Solar, Quarter Horse Solar, Tall Pines and CPV) by an estimated 42–48 months. Witt also said a contractor misread a reassessment contract and will now complete the reassessment by March 15, 2025, which affects the county budget timeline; a joint work session with the Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) was scheduled for March 18, 2025 at 6 p.m.

During public comment, Sharmena Powell urged the Board to take seriously concerns about a social‑media post by Cullen Volunteer Fire Department Chief Billy Walker, saying it normalizes racism and calling for accountability. Vice‑Chair Smith read a statement on behalf of the Board saying it does not support racism but that defunding volunteer departments is not an option because of public‑safety reliance on volunteers.

Community and service updates included an announcement by Shannon Feinman that Charlotte County’s Truckers Parade Against Cancer (TPAC) was named the 2024 Relay for Life Nationwide Team of the Year; Feinman noted that since 2000 TPAC has raised more than $2 million and said the group will accept the award in Atlanta. Jamie Christensen of Civic Vanguard demonstrated the county’s updated GIS system and said aerial photography updates are scheduled for 2025.

The Board adjourned after asking that the public‑comment policy be posted with the public‑comment sign‑in sheet going forward. The county clerk recorded the meeting minutes.