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Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session - May 12 2026 Minutes
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
220 Judicial Pl. Heathsville, VA 22473
Members Present: James Long (arrived at 5:45p.m.), James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, Keith Harris
Staff Present: County Administrator Tadlock, Assistant County Administrator Drew Basye, Finance Operations Specialist I Morgan Wilson, IT Technician Carl Hayden
1. Opening of Meeting 5:30 P.M.
A. Call to Order
The special meeting was convened by Chairman Brann and held at the Northumberland Courthouse located at 220 Judicial Place, Heathsville, VA 22473.
2. County Administrator Items
A. Sheriff's Office Hardship Supplement Request
Chief Deputy Allen Garland informed the Board that due to being so short staffed for the majority of FY26 and a portion of FY25, the Sheriff's Department will have approximately $118,000 left in their salaries and part-time line items. He stated that they are requesting to use $103,199.86 of those funds to provide all full-time employees with a one-time 5% hardship supplement before the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Garland stated that they also have $54,000 left in their hospitalization line item as well due to low staff. He explained that the request could also be partially offset by the state compensation board bonus of 2% on June 1, 2026 which should be about $20,000. Mr. Garland stated that the Sheriff's Office has returned an average of $37,400 to the County over the last four years and they have come up with numerous ways to produce revenue for the County. He stated that this supplement would go to those individuals who stayed with the office and worked hard to fill the gaps left by those who did vacate. Mr. Garland clarified that this would not be additional funding and instead of purchasing equipment near the end of the year, the department would like to put it towards the employees who deserve it.
Supervisor Harris asked how many employees this would cover.
Mr. Garland stated it would be around 40 full-time employees.
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Vice Chairman Williams asked him to put himself in his shoes as a Board member and try to explain to a school employee why the Board gave this one time salary increase/bonus to the Sheriff's Department and not to them.
Mr. Garland stated that it's a one-time supplement, not a salary increase. He explained that school employees have multiple opportunities to earn bonuses and supplements for certain accomplishments. Mr. Garland stated that the only bonus that he is aware of that the Sheriff's Office has received on occasion is from the compensation board, but sometimes the County has to turn that money down because they don't have the money to supplement the other positions.
Supervisor Williams asked why they're requesting 5% increase across the Board rather than a flat equal bonus for each employee.
Mr. Garland stated that he's used to working with percentages and the math was just easier.
B. FY27 Budget Discussion
County Administrator Tadlock gave an overview of the discussions made at the last meeting related to the budget and the wide range of tax rates, 47 cents to 57 cents. Mr. Tadlock explained with a 55 cent tax rate and the potential cuts that have been identified, this would cover the 20% recommendation in the unassigned fund balance, as well as the 2% in the budget stabilization fund. He stated that once the Board advertises the tax rate, they have room to go down, but it cannot be increased without re-advertising. Chairman Brann asked what other items he has seen a large increase in.
Mr. Tadlock stated the VRS multiplier increase for hazardous duty employees, the County Administration line due to the additional position, IT maintenance software and repairs to equipment, and Emergency Services overtime.
Chairman Brann asked about Waste Management.
Mr. Tadlock stated they budgeted an additional $289,000 for that, but this also includes the cost for MXI which covers the County's hazardous household collection day event twice a year.
Chairman Brann asked Mr. Garland if the higher VRS multiplier would be appreciated if the County can afford it.
Mr. Garland feels that it would be appreciated for those who plan their retirement well, but whether they notice the difference he does not know.
Mr. Tadlock explained that some other costs that are increasing are electrical services, the social services budget, and capital projects. He stated that the County is looking to bid out on grass cutting, so he's unsure what that is going to cost at this time. Supervisor Long mentioned that he remembered the County promising the gentleman cutting the county properties that the County would always have him cut as long as he didn't increase his pricing.
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Mr. Tadlock stated that some properties have been added to that but they have not gone up on their pricing. He explained that the County is going to finish out this year with the contractor, and then the Board has asked that it be placed back out for bid. The Board scheduled another budget work session for May 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to invite some departments/agencies to come and present their budgets.
County Administrator Tadlock asked the Board what tax rate they would like to advertise in order to hold the public hearing on May 28, 2026. He reminded the Board if they choose to go above the equalized tax rate, a separate hearing would have to be held on a separate night regarding the tax rate.
Chairman Brann stated that they could advertise 57 cents which would give them something to work with and bring down.
The Board agreed to advertise the 57 cents so they can start the process and hold the public hearing on May 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
In addition, the Board scheduled the public hearing on the tax rate adjustment on June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Motion to advertise a public hearing to be held on May 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. on the FY27 budget that reflects a 57 cent tax rate and to advertise a public hearing to be held on June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. on the tax rate adjustment.
Moved by: Chip Williams; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
Chairman Brann asked Mr. Tadlock to get with Dr. Leslie and see if the Joint Finance Committee could meet at 5:00 p.m. on June 4, 2026 instead of 5:30 p.m.
3. Items Related to Closed Meeting
A. Convene into Closed Meeting § 2.2-3711 A(1),(29)
Motion to Action: A. Convene into Closed Meeting: convene into closed meeting as permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1)(29);1. Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; and evaluation of performance of departments or schools of public institutions of higher education where such evaluation will necessarily involve discussion of the performance of specific individuals. Any teacher shall be permitted to be present during a closed meeting in which there is a discussion or consideration of a disciplinary matter that involves the teacher and some student and the student involved in the matter is present, provided that the teacher makes a written request to be present to the presiding officer of the appropriate board. Nothing in this subdivision, however, shall be construed to authorize a closed meeting by a local governing body or an elected school board to discuss compensation matters that affect the membership of such body or board collectively. 29. Discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an
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open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
B. Reconvene into Open Meeting
Motion to reconvene into open session.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
C. Certification of Closed Meeting
Motion that the Northumberland Board of Supervisors return to Public Meeting and certify by roll call vote that only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered during the closed meeting. The vote on the motion was passed by a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Keith Harris, AC Fisher, Jr., James M. Long, James W. Brann, Charles H. Williams
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
4. Closing of Meeting
A. Adjournment
The Board agreed to meet at 3:30p.m. on May 19, 2026 and immediately convene into a closed meeting. The Board will reconvene into open session at 5:30 p.m. for budget presentations.
Motion to adjourn.
Moved by: Chip Williams; seconded by: Keith Harris
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
Board Clerk - E. Luttrell Tadlock