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Commission directs staff to fix VIA Hall ECHO-grant compliance after county review
Summary
County ECHO staff told Oak Hill commissioners the VIA Hall grant requires posted public access and specified hours; the commission directed staff and counsel to amend operations to restore compliance with the grant that runs through Feb. 9, 2029.
Commissioners discussed an ECHO grant tied to the VIA Hall museum after county staff indicated the city’s posted hours and operational commitments did not match the county's expectations. The county had sent a March 25 letter asking for a work plan and timeline for compliance; commissioners were told the deadline for a compliance plan fell on May 25 and that the grant covenant runs through Feb. 9, 2029.
Several commissioners and citizens said the city had not intentionally violated the grant but that an amended operations memo (which listed Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. hours and a staff presence) had been submitted by the city manager without prior commission approval. The commission voted to direct staff and the city attorney to work with county ECHO staff to amend posted hours and restore compliance; the county indicated willingness to cooperate. Commissioners asked staff to bring back documentation and any required written rescission or amendment to prevent repayment exposure.
