The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget in a 3-1 vote at its May 28 meeting.
Interim chairman Doug Perry, of the Smith River District; Jonathan Wood, of the Peters Creek District; and Steve Marshall, of the Blue Ridge District, voted for the budget.
The dissenting vote was cast by Clayton Kendrick, of the Mayo River District.
“I’ve still got some reservations about it, and we’ve got about another month” until the deadline “anyways. Therefore, there’s a few things that aren’t settled in my mind, so I’m going to vote no,” Kendrick said.
“It is a lean, balanced budget with no tax increases, $109,095 reserved dollars reserved for contingency,” Perry said, adding that attention was paid to the identified gaps in basic local government operations such as land use staff support, addressing deferred maintenance, capital planning, increased cost of health insurance, cost of living raises, and market-based salary adjustments.
The budget includes “increased funding for public safety including law enforcement, emergency services, and increased contributions to volunteer fire department and rescue squads. Increased funding for health and welfare, specifically with Social Services,” he said.
Perry said the budget also includes increased costs to cover the rising costs of electricity, necessary capital improvement projects, and replacement of essential equipment.
Before voting on the budget, Perry noted that he is a full-time employee of the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office. “I am able to vote on Patrick County’s annual budget fairly, objectively, and in the public’s interest.”
The new fiscal budget takes effect on July 1.
In other matters, the board:
*Appointed Jane Fulk to serve as the interim Dan River District supervisor until a special election slated for November 5.
*Approved a resolution to settle a lawsuit with a 4-0 vote.
*Discussed creating a festival-type ordinance to ensure there is enough fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff present in case of an accident.
*Discussed the possibility of the county selling business licenses so it can track who is doing business and to create a list that can be viewed on the county’s website.
*Discussed the idea of giving farm roads and farm buildings 911 addresses in case of emergencies.
