Cynthia S. Bradford

The Registrar presented the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for review, highlighting anticipated principal expansions including the replacement of voting machines and an increase in the Chief Deputy's compensation, in addition to standard inflation adjustments. The Board also discussed preliminary preparations for the upcoming April 21, 2026, Special Election, which will feature a single referendum question concerning redistricting. Preparations for early voting have commenced.

The meeting addressed several administrative and project matters. Key items included the approval of the October financial status report and financial statement with bills payable. The commission formally approved the FY 2025 Draft Audit, which had no findings. Budget requests for FY 2027, including level funding for the Planning District and allocations for the Eastern Shore Regional Navigable Waterways Committee, were approved. Significant time was dedicated to updates on various planning projects, such as Economic Development Planning, the DEQ Regional Water Supply Plan, the VDEM Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026, and dredging initiatives for Northampton County's Nassawadox Creek and Folly Creek. Housing Service updates covered the Continuum of Care efforts and progress on HUD Housing Counseling Services and foreclosure prevention. Housing Development project updates included contract preparation for property rehabilitation in Onancock and managing grant closeouts. During the executive session, the commission discussed the Executive Director Employment Contract & Amendment, ultimately requesting an extension of this business until the January 2026 meeting. A request was also made for staff to research available grants for cell service improvements on the Eastern Shore due to existing dead spots.

The Board reviewed the FY 2026 Department of Social Services Budget, discussing line items related to Staffing and Operations, Medicaid Expansion funding, and Family Preservation reserves used for emergency assistance to families. A discussion covered the agency's protocol for accepting private donations for client support. The Board also addressed the proposed FY 2026/2027 budget, rationale for requesting increased local match funding, and the status of six active local fraud investigations. Updates were provided regarding federal changes impacting SNAP eligibility for the ABAWD population and federal changes affecting medical benefits effective October 2027. The Director also informed the board about a child taken into care and presented a questionnaire related to a county audit.

The Board received and discussed the FY 2026 Department of Social Services Budget, noting specific expenditures related to Staffing and Operations, and Public Assistance due to crisis situations. Discussion included utilization of federally funded monies under budget line 835 (4-E IVE Prevention). The Director reported that the FY2027 preliminary budget draft will be submitted to the County soon. Additionally, the agency is actively working to decrease the SNAP error rate and support incoming benefit applications. The child welfare unit is increasing the use of Family Partnership Meetings as a best practice to prevent children from entering foster care. Staff evaluations are scheduled to be signed by the Chairman after closed session, and updates on the Governor's budget concerning employee salaries were provided during the closed session.

Key discussions during the meeting included the reorganization of the Board for the coming year, resulting in new appointments for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The Registrar presented budget priorities, focusing on the plan to replace precinct and early voting OVO's with the newer Freedom Vote System (FVS) scanners for future compliance, and the necessity of elevating the Chief Deputy's pay grade to a more appropriate level.