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Board appoints interim District 5 supervisor, confirms emergency coordinator and approves two resolutions
Summary
At its May 18 meeting the Powhatan County Board appointed Dr. Barbara Brown as interim District 5 supervisor (effective through the Nov. 3, 2026 special election), swore in Thomas E. Berry as emergency management coordinator and fire marshal, approved a multi‑year CAD maintenance renewal (resolution R‑2026‑33) and authorized donation of a surplus fire/rescue vehicle (R‑2026‑32).
The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors took several formal actions at its May 18 meeting, appointing an interim supervisor, confirming an emergency management official and approving two resolutions.
Appointment and swearing in: The board selected and voted to appoint Dr. Barbara Brown as the interim District 5 representative, effective immediately and serving until the special election on Nov. 3, 2026. The motion to appoint was made on the record and passed by voice vote; the transcript records the outcome as passing 4‑0. Theresa Dobbins (Clerk of the Circuit Court) administered the oath of office and Dr. Brown was congratulated and photographed with the board.
Emergency management appointment: The board consented to the appointment of Thomas E. (Tom) Berry as Powhatan County emergency management coordinator and fire marshal, citing Virginia code (the citation read in the packet). That motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 5‑0. Berry then repeated the oath for the two roles.
Resolution R‑2026‑33 — CAD maintenance contract renewal: County staff (Mr. Nolan) presented a recommendation to renew the Motorola Flex computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) maintenance contract. Nolan described the CAD as a critical 9‑1‑1 operations component and said the proposed multi‑year agreement includes cloud‑based backup, disaster recovery features and a static pricing model for years two through five. He said the overall multi‑year contract would cost about $14,000 more than an annual maintenance renewal but would add capabilities the county has sought; the board approved resolution R‑2026‑33 by voice vote (recorded as passing 5‑0).
Resolution R‑2026‑32 — donation of surplus vehicle: Deputy Chief Goodman explained the county had a 26‑year‑old frontline EMS response vehicle that had since become a spare and was eligible for antique tags. The county proposed donating the surplus vehicle to a nonprofit emergency‑support organization that would assist with fundraising and on‑scene support. The board approved the donation resolution by voice vote (recorded as passing 5‑0).
Consent agenda and other actions: The board also approved a consent agenda including minutes, a budget resolution accepting $25,000 in Justice Assistance Grant funding for the sheriff's office, and an administrative amendment requesting VDOT accept a roadway segment in the Watkins Mill subdivision. Later the board authorized a closed session to consult with legal counsel concerning probable or actual litigation, including Tri Hope Life Ministries v. Powhatan County, under the Virginia code sections read into the record.
Next steps and effective dates: The appointment of Dr. Barbara Brown is effective immediately and continues until the special election on Nov. 3, 2026. The CAD contract and vehicle donation were authorized at the May 18 meeting; contract implementation and vehicle transfer will follow county procedures and any required procurement or administrative steps.
