Giles County

The meeting commenced with the call to order and recognition of guests, including the introduction of the new Program Support Specialist for CSA. Key agenda items included the review and approval of the current agenda, and the approval of the December 2025 minutes. The team conducted a closed session permitted under Virginia Code 2.2-3711, (A) (4) for the protection of privacy, which was certified upon returning to open session. The team approved the Authorized Service reports. Financial reports showed that expenditures were $432,769.32 higher than the previous year, despite serving twenty-five more children. Case updates included one new prevention service case opened, and six cases closed for various reasons. Regarding the Strategic Plan, updates were received on the foster home partnership, noting thirty-one current homes and planning for a new training session in March or April. Information was shared regarding the Giles CSU office transitioning to part-time staffing starting February 1, 2026, and the postponement of Medicaid Redesign until January 2027. Members were also reminded about the due date for Statement of Economic Interest forms.

The meeting included reports from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) regarding completed shoulder repair work, pipe extension, and fence installation, along with discussions on road deterioration, potholes on Route 61 and Sinking Creek Road, and snow removal procedures impacting driveways. The School Board representative provided updates on the quarterly newsletter, enrollment figures (steady at 2,099), and progress on the strategic plan, aiming for May adoption. Key business involved receiving a $600,000 grant for the Cross Avenue water extension project. New business included approving a letter of support for HB 585 and SB 154 to grant animal control officers equivalent retirement benefits. Warrants for FY 2026 totaling $1,483,295.00 were approved. An executive session was held to discuss legal counsel regarding dilapidated property, contracts for Wheatland Eco Park, and personnel matters concerning three resignations in Maintenance and Public Works. The board also addressed critically low volunteer levels, noting that continued shortages might necessitate shifting to paid services.

New business included discussing a request for information concerning voting procedures in schools, specifically regarding the feasibility and cost implications of using schools as polling places. The Board decided the Registrar should consult with the County Administrator for direction on this matter, noting that the current arrangement does not appear to offer cost savings. The Board appointed Pat Ventry as a new officer of election and unanimously approved the use of Optical Scan ballots for the upcoming November 7, 2017, election. Training for election officers was scheduled for October 26, 2017. Additionally, the Board received the court order mandating a Special Election to fill a recently vacated seat, establishing an August 18, 2017, filing deadline requiring 125 qualifying signatures. The Board entered into and subsequently reconvened from an Executive Session concerning personnel matters.

The meeting was convened by the Chairman to conduct the Canvass of the Democratic and Republican Primaries held on June 12, 2018. Key new business items included the certification of election results for all 9 voting precincts and the Central Absentee Precinct for both parties' primaries. The board also noted the filing deadline for the Special Elections for Clerk of Court and Treasurer as August 17, 2018, and established that the Registrar's Annual Evaluation must be completed by July 31, 2018.

Old business included updates on the work progress at the Staffordsville Precinct by PemTel. In new business, the Board unanimously approved the Officers of Elections for 2018 for all precincts, noting a specific need for a Republican Assistant Chief in Pearisburg for the upcoming Dual Primaries. The Board also confirmed scheduling for a conference for Electoral Board members and Registrars in Richmond in June, and scheduled training for the upcoming Primary election.