Supervisors and Authority Discuss $1M Each as Short‑Term Backstop; Auditors to Confirm Availability

Jesse N. Rutherford, East District Supervisor and vice chair of the Board, and NCSA leaders discussed immediate funding needs after staff said the Authority lacked cash and borrowing capacity to meet the obligations tied to the DEQ order. Rutherford said he was unwilling to commit without clearer cost information but indicated the Board’s willingness to provide support if the Authority could confirm an internal $1 million contribution: "If they can contribute $1 million, the County can contribute $1 million," he said.

Candice W. McGarry, Nelson County administrator, said NCSA’s FY25 audit showed an unrestricted net position of roughly $5.4 million but that subsequent spending reduced that figure; she and NCSA finance staff agreed auditors could be queried immediately for a rapid confirmation of available fund balance. Supervisors asked staff for firm vendor quotes and a purchase‑vs‑rent comparison by July 8–9 to inform a July 14 decision. The boards described any County support as a loan or line of credit to be repaid by the Authority rather than an outright grant.