Chris Lawless

The board approved several proclamations, including those recognizing Ruritan Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Peace Officers Memorial Week, and Fire & EMS Appreciation Day. Financial actions included approving multiple additional appropriations for the Circuit Court Records Preservation Grant, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority grant, vehicle insurance settlements for the Sheriff's Office, and sales tax funds for school construction projects, along with categorical transfers for school bus purchases and intercom upgrades. The Board also reviewed a draft ordinance for outdoor tire storage, allocated impact funds for local community projects, approved participation in a multi-party opioid settlement, and presented the Henry County Headliner Award. Additionally, the meeting included public hearings on three rezoning applications and the setting of tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Board held a public hearing regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 School Board budget and the Total County budget, which amount to a combined $231,528,674, with a recommendation of $117,973,744 for the school system. During the hearing, public comments were addressed concerning real estate assessments, a request for increased funding for a local warming center, and appreciation for financial support provided to a volunteer fire department for station improvements.

The Board focused on the adoption of the fiscal year 2026-2027 County Budget. Key discussion topics included the authorization of a contract for custodial services at the Courthouse, the determination of tax rates for real estate and personal property, the elimination of the motor vehicle license fee, and the approval of specific staffing positions within public safety and other departments. Furthermore, the Board adopted the school expenditure budget and the total budget for fiscal planning purposes.

The Board meeting included several agenda items such as a report on delinquent tax collections, an update on the progress of broadband installation in the county, and a resolution for an economic development administration grant application to support the Beaver Creek Extension Project. Additionally, the Board approved several financial matters, including appropriations for the Commonwealth Attorney's office travel expenses, a grant for the Piedmont Community Services recovery court, a summer food service program for students, and categorical transfers to the school board for parking lot paving and school nutrition staff bonuses.

The meeting featured several public hearings regarding rezoning requests, all of which were recommended for approval to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission also reviewed and recommended approval for the final draft of the Henry County Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, extensive discussion took place concerning proposed amendments to the Henry County Zoning Ordinance, specifically regarding the definition and permitting requirements for Limited Retail Stands, as well as various updates to land use categories, accessory structures, and specialized ordinances for data centers and battery energy storage systems.