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Special Called Board of Supervisors Meeting (Thursday, February 19, 2026)
Northumberland County, Virginia
Members Present:
James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris
Other Staff Present:
Mr. Luttrell Tadlock, County Administrator
Mr. Drew Basye, Assistant County Administrator
Mr. Carl Hayden, IT Technician
Ms. Mary Dodson, Bookkeeper & Benefits Administrator
1. Opening of Meeting 3:00P.M.
Information: 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. Items Related to Closed Meeting
Action, Information: A. Convene into Closed Meeting
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 open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body.
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Motion by: Keith Harris, second by: Chip Williams.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris Action, Information: B. Reconvene into Open Meeting
Motion to reconvene into open session.
Motion by: Keith Harris, second by: Chip Williams.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris Action, Information: 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
Motion by: Keith Harris, second by: Chip Williams.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris **Chairman Brann requested a 5-minute recess.
Chairman Brann asked that the County write a letter of support on behalf of Paulin Sanchez as he wants to apply for his citizenship.
3. School Board Budget Presentation 5:00P.M.
Information: A. School Budget Presentation
County Finance Facilitator Karen Pica stated that there were seven School Board budget proposals developed this year based on the County issued guidance, all of which focused on student learning and outcomes. Dr. Pica went through some key points and explained that every proposal increased compensation for teachers/staff, funded an essential refresh of technology to support learning, funded a new NES playground, funded a phased fleet refresh, and funded well repairs. The expenses projected for the budget were developed based on prior data (3 years) as
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they met with Division Directors and leaders/principals for each of the three schools to gather their input and over $500,000 in cuts were identified. Projections also captured bills that were paid in the past but not included in the budget. Dr. Pica explained that all of the proposals cost the County less than last year’s budget.
Dr. Pica then stated some key changes for FY27 which are centralizing the purchase of all routine office supplies, centralizing purchase management of all technology hardware, software, and technology subscriptions, and building in capital planning needs in a phased approach. County Finance Facilitator Pica stated that the revenue from federal and state sources are flat at $7,471,746 and the County revenue flat at $14,855,244 for projections. She explained there are savings throughout the budget depending on options and eliminating capital planning requests as revenue is deposited in a special account. Dr. Pica stated that they’ve identified revenue likely to exceed $300,000 so the capital planning item in the amount of $286,000 is no longer needed, freeing those funds for other County needs or reserves. The different budget projections can be accessed in her full presentation in Board Docs.
Dr. Pica clarified that the school will not be removed from the capital planning process. They will however be alleviating the citizens from having to pay for those capital planning needs because there is revenue at the schools that is not needed. She also stated that there is no process that allows revenue to be returned to the reserve fund or any other holding fund at this time. Dr. Pica stated if the County continues to pass budgets with salary increases and covering health insurance in full, in three years the salary and benefits alone will be greater than the entire school budget two years ago. She believes the County is buying themselves into a huge hole and they need to break the cycle and look into other models.
Superintendent Leslie explained to the school that the School Board requested them run some projections based on what had been done previously in the schools with the health insurance increase and 1.25% step – 2.5% step. These projections can be found in Board Docs. The budget that was voted on by the School Board was a compensation increase of 2.5% as well as the absorption of the 10% health insurance increase. In addition, the School Board asked that staff continue to look for further savings, so Dr. Leslie is working very hard with her team to come up with furthers cuts to offset any increase. Dr. Leslie stated that she does not want to see an increase in taxes for the taxpayers, but she also wants to make sure the County is supporting their staff and students’ needs.
Chairman Brann asked if the well repair is a part of the recent borrowing monies. Mr. Tadlock confirmed that is correct.
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Chairman Brann asked if this needs to be included in the school budget if the County has those funds.
Mr. Tadlock stated that those funds are being held in a separate fund (SNAP account), so they are not being calculated with any items on the County side.
Dr. Leslie stated that she believes Mr. Tadlock is referring to the well that needs to be replaced in the 2026 cycle (original date was in March) In addition to that, the school is on a nine-year cycle to replace the second well so they’ve put together a savings plan to allocate some of their funds and request CIP funds every year so that when the time comes they’ll have a decent amount of money for that replacement. Dr. Leslie and Dr. Pica explained that well # 2 savings plan is part of the $286,000 capital planning funds she mentioned earlier in the presentation. County Administrator asked if the school has received the new VRS rates yet.
Dr. Pica stated that one of the bids came back with a 13.3% increase, but she was mistaken and referring to health insurance, not VRS.
Dr. Leslie stated they have not received their VRS rates yet.
Vice Chairman Williams asked Dr. Pica to plug in a 13.3% health insurance rate in her projections.
Dr. Pica stated once a decision is made, she can do that for the Board as if a different plan is chosen, the rate will be different.
4. County Administrator Items
Action, Information: A. Invitation For Bid - Mowing and Groundskeeping Services
Motion to authorize staff to advertise the Invitation For Bid (IFB) for mowing and groundskeeping services.
Motion by: James M. Long, second by: Keith Harris.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris Vice Chairman Williams stated that the Board has an appointment with the Secretary of Natural Resources on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00a.m. He spoke with Monty Deihl today and he
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offered a time slot of 2:00p.m. on Monday or Tuesday next week if the Board would like to sit down with him to talk about a few items before meeting with the Secretary of Natural Resources.
5. Closing of Meeting
Action: A. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by: Chip Williams, second by: James M. Long.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Aye: James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris