Morgan Barker

The primary focus of this continued meeting was the confirmation and ending of the local emergency declaration that was initially issued on January 25, 2026, due to extremely hazardous winter weather conditions. The Board approved Resolution R2026-04 to formally confirm and terminate the emergency declaration, as the required five-day confirmation period was approaching. In other business, staff proposed scheduling a public hearing for a future meeting to consider an amendment to the County Code regarding local emergency declarations, potentially updating the confirmation timeframe from five to forty-five days. The previously scheduled joint work session with the Planning Commission was canceled, with staff arranging a separate update for the North District Supervisor on Zoning ordinance updates.

The primary focus of the meeting was the introduction and review of the Fiscal Year 2027 Department Budget Requests. Key discussions included updates from VDOT, the 2026 Reassessment Analysis, and considerations for FY27 budgets for departments such as Information Systems, Planning & Zoning, and Animal Control. New business items involved updates from the Nelson County Recreation Foundation, consideration of a real estate tax exemption application for Synchronicity Foundation, and authorization for a public hearing to amend the Local Emergency ordinance. Significant time was dedicated to reviewing the FY26 Draft General Fund Budget, covering revenue projections, expenditure allocations, proposed salary and benefit adjustments including a one-time bonus, and capital outlay funding decisions. There was an extensive discussion regarding the funding and programs of MACAA, including its interim executive director's report, reputation management, and plans for the after-school program and Project Discovery. The board also discussed funding requests for the Nelson County Community Development Foundation related to a high school home building project and reviewed detailed revenue estimates for property, sales, meals, and lodging taxes. Finally, the board confirmed and ended a local emergency declaration made earlier in January due to winter weather.

The key discussions for this continued meeting centered on official declarations related to winter weather. The agenda included the confirmation and formal end of a local emergency (Resolution R2026-04) that had been initially declared due to extremely hazardous winter weather conditions impacting the county. Separately, the document details the initial Declaration of Local Emergency issued by the Director of Emergency Services on January 25, 2026, concerning Winter Storm Fern, which necessitates formal confirmation and subsequent termination by the Board.

The meeting included the correction of a resolution pertaining to the FY26 Health Insurance Renewal, establishing new rates for active employees and retirees for various Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. The Board reviewed updates from MACAA, where the Interim Executive Director discussed organizational stabilization efforts, current services in Nelson County (including after-school programs and Project Discovery), and the plan for finding a new permanent Executive Director. The Board also discussed MACAA's funding request and reputation issues. The Nelson County Community Development Foundation requested $25,000 for a high school home building project, involving construction materials and future proceeds sharing, alongside discussions on utility assistance and housing needs. A detailed introduction and review of the FY26 Draft General Fund Budget commenced, covering revenue projections, expenditure priorities such as the 2026 local reassessment, jail operations, and school funding, while noting no changes to current tax rates. Specific budget items discussed included personnel adjustments (salary increases and one-time bonuses), capital outlay allocations, and the zero recurring contingency. The Board also noted future discussions on water/sewer rates and building permit fees, and adjourned to continue the meeting on March 20, 2025.

The evening session commenced with opening the floor for public comments, which were subsequently closed due to a lack of registered speakers. The first public hearing addressed the consideration of two sighting agreements for 4-megawatt battery energy storage systems in Colleen and Piney River, developed by Light Shift Energy in collaboration with CVEC. Key points included the voluntary nature of the sighting agreement, authorization under Virginia State Code, and the provision of funds to the locality for impact mitigation. A $10,000 charitable donation per project, chosen by the county, was noted. The board also approved a resolution authorizing the county administrator to sign these sighting agreements. The second public hearing concerned a request for a one-year extension for a special use permit (SUP) related to dwelling units in a B1 business district at 622 Front Street, owned by Jesse and Ally Lopez Low. The property is planned for mixed-use, including two residential rental units and commercial space. The extension was requested as the units were not yet occupied, and the Planning Commission recommended approval with the existing condition against short-term rentals. The board subsequently approved this extension. Finally, the board decided to schedule the planning review rate consideration for the December meeting in the afternoon session and then adjourned.