Ronald Clayton

The meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the approval of the agenda, noting the postponement of a presentation from the sheriff's office. Key actions included approving a consent agenda item authorizing the submission, acceptance, and appropriation of a $35,016 state homeland security program grant for the fire and EMS department. The board also held a public hearing to recognize Dr. Leonard Cohen for 40 years of excellence as the operational medical director for emergency medical care. Further resolutions authorized the county administrator to execute a contract for professional architectural and engineering services related to independent park pond improvements, focusing on dredging, water quality restoration, and addressing vegetation management. Another resolution approved the purchase of two new ambulances for volunteer rescue squads at a total cost of $756,590, featuring a $4,000 discount. Board members also provided updates on significant funding achievements, including a $1 million USDA rural facilities grant secured for improvements to the old Mont Veil school, and acknowledged the service of the social services director, Andy Crawford, who received the outstanding local leadership award.

The regular meeting covered several key items, starting with the consent agenda which included approval for submitting a conservation grant with the Library of Virginia for the clerk of circuit court and tax-exempt financing for a service body upfit for the Huddleston Volunteer Fire Department brush truck. The board subsequently approved the minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting. Public hearings addressed a special use permit application (SU25-0011) for a domestic horse use on behalf of Leland Segman, which the Planning Commission had recommended for approval subject to staff conditions. Action items included authorizing the replacement of two HVAC units at the Bedford County Health Department and authorizing phase one of the replacement for the Bedford County Nursing Home HVAC system, contracting with Trane through an Omnia cooperative procurement. The board also addressed administrative updates, including a successful weekend operation to repair the transfer building floor at the solid waste transfer station, and proceeded with several board appointments to various committees such as the Board of Building Code Appeals, Beckford County Board of Zoning Appeals, EDA for District 4, Recreation Advisory Committee for District 2, and reappointed a citizen representative to the Tri County Lakes Administrative Commission.

The meeting agenda included a review of Old Business concerning Grants (VATI and TRCC). Key New Business involved discussion of new broadband providers for Bedford (both wire and wireless). A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the Project Status Report, which detailed the progress across multiple sites including Big Island, Big Island Elementary, Montvale, Hardy Collection, Shady Grove, McGhee Road, Boonsboro, Moneta, Huddleston, New London, Wheat Valley, and the Landfill.

The meeting agenda included Old Business, a Project Status Report from BRT covering numerous sites such as Big Island, Montvale, and Huddleston, and an update on Fiber infrastructure. Key discussions involved the Briscnet Service Delivery Plan and Customer Roll-Out Update, which detailed deployment expectations and customer sign-up procedures. The projected goal for system launch was set for the first week of June, pending weather conditions.

The meeting included a citizen's comment period where concerns were raised about a sub-application approved in July 2020, specifically regarding land disturbance at the airport and the need for a VSMP permit. The consent agenda included resolutions for soliciting bids for the sheriff's office parking lot resurfacing project and establishing compensation for the redistricting committee. The Central Virginia Public District Commission presented its annual report, highlighting regional transportation planning, hazard mitigation, investments in career and technical education, and economic development strategies. A rezone application was presented to change the zoning of a portion of a tax map from PCD to R2, with discussions on the concept plan, project impacts, and volunteer proffers.