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Lee County approves funding to cover local fire-department grant shortfalls and seeks ambulance repair quotes
Summary
Supervisors approved requests to fund grant shortfalls for local volunteer fire departments (including a $22,087.07 gap for Thomas Walker) and directed the rescue squad to obtain three quotes for an ambulance engine; a separate $91,121.90 disbursement to Stateville Volunteer Fire Department was approved contingent on reimbursement review.
Lee County supervisors on Jan. 20 approved a series of funding actions to support local volunteer fire and rescue services, including requests to cover grant shortfalls and to obtain repair estimates for county ambulances.
John Cheek, chief of Thomas Walker Fire Department, told the board his department applied for a Virginia Department of Fire Programs grant to purchase 16 sets of turnout gear. The department planned a 90/10 cost share but the award covered roughly 70% of the request, leaving a shortfall of $22,087.07. Cheek asked the county to fund the gap so the department could move forward with the purchase.
After the meetings closed-session items, the board voted to fund that shortfall. The board also approved forwarding $91,121.90 to the Stateville Volunteer Fire Department for a grant, contingent on review of grant reimbursement paperwork, and directed the rescue squad to obtain three quotes to repair or replace an ambulance engine and return the quotes to the board.
A supervisor moved the funding motions at the meeting and each motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or named counts for each motion.
Board members discussed handling EMS funding requests collectively in closed session and asked staff to return with documentation, including quotes and reimbursement verifications, before final disbursement. The board also referenced other ongoing EMS funding requests to be handled during the same closed-session review.
Next steps included staff verification of grant reimbursements for the contingent disbursement and collection of three ambulance-engine quotes as directed by the board.
