Christopher Balassone

The meeting convened for a Public Hearing concerning the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Water and Sewer Rates. The Assistant Director presented Resolution WS-25-8, which implemented a 5% increase in water rates and a 6% increase in sewer rates for FY26, effective October 1, 2025. Following the public hearing, which involved adopting a protocol for speaker conduct, the Board approved Resolution WS-25-8. Subsequently, the Board considered and approved Resolution WS-25-9, adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget for Water and Sewer, as well as the Capital Budget and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for informational and fiscal planning purposes.

The meeting included action on the amended agenda, specifically removing a Closed Session item. Key discussions involved the Southside Regional Jail (SRJA) FY26 budget amendment request, necessitated by decreased bed rentals from the U.S. Marshals and lack of jail bed contracts; the Board voted to defer the request for $440,000.00 in additional funding from Greensville County until the October 6, 2025 meeting for further review by the Finance office. The Board also considered the lease renewal for the Washington Park Association, LLC. Following discussion regarding lease terms and program benefits, the Board voted not to renew the current lease.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the amended agenda, noting the removal of the FY2025 Rollover Request from Greensville County Public Schools System, which will be revisited in January 2026. The Consent Agenda included discussions regarding the legality of changing a 'Retreat' to a 'Special Meeting' as detailed in prior minutes, and approval of several budgetary matters, including budget amendments and re-appropriations for various funds, as well as approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll warrants. Old Business involved deferring a decision on the Southside Regional Jail Authority's FY2026 Budget Amendment Request until the November 3, 2025 meeting. New Business included the approval of Resolution 26-25, awarding the HVAC maintenance contract to Trane for the Courthouse, and approval of Resolution 26-26, awarding the elevator repair contract to TK Elevator Corporation, with costs shared with the City of Emporia. The Board also approved the allocation of $26,000.00 from a PSAP grant toward Sheriff's Office Dispatcher bonuses for staff retention, and approved additional Christmas holidays requested by the Chair. Finally, Mr. Jerry Rose and Mrs. Bridgette Tyler were reappointed to the Industrial Development Authority.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, which was amended to include Resolution WS-26-2 regarding Reservoir Grass Cutting Proposals after the initial deadline. The Consent Agenda was approved, covering various warrants for accounts payable and payroll, as well as minutes from previous sessions including the FY 2026 Proposed Budget Work Session. New business focused on the approval of Resolution WS-26-1, an Addendum to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs concerning responsibilities for well system operation at the Emporia Readiness Center, prompted by confirmed e-coli sample results in July 2025. Additionally, Resolution WS-26-2 was approved, awarding the Reservoir Grass Cutting Services Contract to Opterra Solutions, Inc. Finally, the Board approved additional Christmas holidays for 2025, including December 24th, December 31st, January 2nd (2026), and an added request for December 26, 2025.

The Regular Meeting commenced with roll call and agenda approval. The Consent Agenda, which included approvals for multiple sets of Accounts Payable and Payroll warrants spanning October and November 2025, was approved. The main item discussed under New Business was Resolution WS-26-3 concerning proposed increases to Water and Sewer administrative fees. The resolution detailed proposed increases across various fees, such as tenant account fees, disconnect fees, service fees, connection fees, facility fees, and the Sludge & Leachate Treatment Fee. The Authority resolved to propose these increased fees, effective February 2, 2026, and directed staff to publish notice for a mandatory public hearing scheduled for January 5, 2026. The resolution proposing the fee increases was subsequently approved.