The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at its July 10 meeting.
The three requests totaling $33,200 were approved in a 4-1 vote.
Finance Officer Lori Jones said the first request was for two metal picnic tables for the Fred Clifton Park.
“There are two empty concrete pads there, one table’s been missing for several years, and another was recently chucked over the side of a hill. So, we’re looking for a powder-coated metal with mesh tops so all the rain and such goes through, and they will secure those to the concrete pad,” she said.
Jones said the park does not have a board or a group to fundraise for its needs, unlike the county’s other parks. The estimated cost for the tables is $2,200.
The second request was for security cameras for the Transfer Station and the maintenance shop at a cost of $21,000.
Jones said the cost includes eight cameras for each location to be installed by EMI Security.
The final request, $10,000 to renovate the customer service counter area in the Treasurer’s Office, was from Treasurer Sandra Stone. She said the office’s L-shaped counter has been there since the building was built.
“When we have people come in, we have our stations set up and so” when customers are standing at the stations “they’re going over each other’s conversations. In other words, you can hear everything that I’ve asked you,” she said.
Stone said the new counter also would include the installation of new storage drawers at each station. She added that the upgrade would be more secure than the current setup, and also noted the cost would include paint and other supplies.
In other matters, the board:
*Approved a resolution honoring the Patrick County High School (PCHS) baseball team as the 2023 VA High School League Class 2 State Champions, and coach Tal Swails who was named the Class 2 Coach of the Year.
*Scheduled a public hearing for Monday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. to discuss the Patrick County Public Schools request for unspent 2022-23 local funds.
*Approved allowing the Transfer Station, Recreation Department, and Tourism Department to open checking accounts.
*Approved the bills, claims, and appropriations.
*Approved the June 12 meeting minutes.
*Heard the administrator’s report.
*Heard the supervisors’ reports.
*Nominated Jane Cardwick to the Blue Ridge District seat on the Department of Social Services (DSS) board for a term ending April 2025.
*Appointed Rick Worley to the Smith River District seat on the Economic Development Authority (EDA) for a term ending August 2023.
*Heard an update on the Transfer Station equipment repairs.
