Washington County approves temporary clerk funding, STRAP contract, PK12 lease amendment and new room-occupancy tax policy

The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 unanimously approved a set of administrative measures including temporary funding for a Clerk of Court position, a Soil & Water STRAP contract award, an amendment to the PK12 school funding agreement and a new policy limiting room-occupancy tax amendments to three years.

Clerk of Court Keith Phelps requested $15,968 to fund a temporary position from Feb. 1 through June 30, 2025, saying he will pursue legislative funding or seek to make the position permanent for the next fiscal year. County Manager and County Attorney Curtis S. Potter told commissioners that the county would not cover employee benefits for the temporary hire: "The County will not be paying the benefits." The Board approved the additional funding (motion by Commissioner Ann C. Keyes, seconded by Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson) and separately authorized the County Manager and Finance Officer to execute and deliver the proposed Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) contract with any County-favoring modifications (motion by Commissioner Julius Walker, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Ann C. Keyes). All votes were unanimous.

Soil & Water Coordinator Chris Respess reviewed STRAP bid documents and said state reimbursement will cover funds spent on the contract; he told the Board that grant administrators confirmed the county was not required to accept the lowest bid and that the selected firm was judged most qualified. "I feel my Board went with the most qualified bidder," Respess said, and commissioners approved awarding the contract to J&J Environmental (motion by Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson) and authorized using 15% of funds to purchase a utility terrain vehicle for Soil & Water (motion by Commissioner Ann C. Keyes). Both motions carried unanimously.

County Manager Curtis S. Potter presented a revised First Amendment to the PK12 Funding Agreement and Lease, including an updated Schedule D of debt-service amounts and funding sources for the newly constructed school. Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson moved approval; Commissioner Ann C. Keyes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Potter also explained a proposed resolution establishing a maximum three-year limit policy to amend room-occupancy tax reports (RESO 2025-001). Commissioner John C. Spruill moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Julius Walker, Jr. seconded and the Board approved RESO 2025-001 unanimously.

Votes at a glance — motions and outcomes included in this meeting: the consent agenda (minutes and FY26 budget preparation guidelines) was approved; $15,968 for a temporary Clerk of Court position was approved and execution of the AOC contract authorized; STRAP contract awarded to J&J Environmental and 15% of funds approved for a UTV purchase for Soil & Water; the Tax Collector's report was approved; the PK12 funding agreement First Amendment and lease were approved; RESO 2025-001 (room-occupancy tax amendment policy) was adopted; and the Board appointed Commissioners John C. Spruill and Julius Walker, Jr. to the Economic Development Advisory Council. All recorded votes in the minutes were unanimous.

The Board also approved budget transfers and amendments as presented, and staff said they will bring applications and further details about citizen nominees for the Economic Development Advisory Council at the March meeting. The meeting adjourned after a brief round of staff updates and announcements.

This account is based on the official minutes circulated by the Washington County Clerk to the Board during the Feb. 3 meeting.