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Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session- May 19 2026 Minutes
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM
220 Judicial Pl. Heathsville, VA 22473
Members Present: James Long, James Brann(arrived at 5:30p.m.), 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, Finance Operations Specialist II Mary Dodson
1. Opening of Meeting 3:30 P.M.
A. Call to Order
The special meeting was convened by Vice Chairman Williams and held at the Northumberland Courthouse located at 220 Judicial Place, Heathsville, VA 22473.
2. Items Related to Closed Meeting
A. Convene into Closed Meeting § 2.2-3711 A(1)
Motion to Action: A. Convene into Closed Meeting: convene into closed meeting as permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1); 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.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: Al Fisher
Aye: James Long, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 4-0
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B. Reconvene in Open Meeting
Motion to reconvene into open session.
Moved by: Al Fisher; seconded by: Keith Harris
Aye: James Long, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 4-0
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, Charles H. Williams
Moved by: Al Fisher; seconded by: Keith Harris
Aye: James Long, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 4-0
D. Action Taken from Closed Meeting, Payroll Clerk/Benefits Administrator Position
Motion to hire Mrs. Heather Brann as payroll clerk and benefits administrator for the school division per the memorandum of understanding between the County and the school division at a starting salary of $62,000 effective June 8, 2026.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 4-0
*Vice Chairman Williams requested a 5-minute recess.
3. Budget Work Presentations 5:30 P.M.
**Chairman Brann entered the courtroom at this time and was present at the 5:30 p.m. session.
A. Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Beauchamp presented an overview of the increases found in operational costs for the FY27 Sheriff's Department budget. He explained that a majority of their request is the request for raises. He stated that he requested a flat rate, but after speaking with the Finance Committee, he was told that was not in line with what the County wanted to do. Sheriff Beauchamp requested a part-time dispatch position and an increase in hours for the part-time deputies.
Supervisor Long asked how the salaries are in comparison to surrounding counties. Sheriff Beauchamp stated that he didn't have this information in front of him, but they are close to the bottom of the list. He explained that Lancaster and Richmond County are going up 3%, so if they aren't ahead of the County they will be this year. Supervisor Long stated that he'd like to see the County level with them or come up above them.
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Sheriff Beauchamp stated that he could get the Board this information.
Sheriff Beauchamp moved on to the Animal Shelter budget and provided the Board with an overview of the changes in operational costs for FY27.
The animal shelter manager came and presented the request for an additional full-time position based on the needs at the shelter.
Chairman Brann asked how many part-time employees they have at the shelter and wondered if they could take some of the part-time positions and make up a full-time position.
Gabby explained they have six and that they may be able to do this.
B. Northern Neck - Middlesex Free Health Clinic
Mrs. Jean Nelson spoke on behalf of the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic and provided the Board with a summary of their clinic and the growth of their programs over the past year. She thanked the Board for their continued support and shared her appreciation for all that they do.
C. Northumberland Public Library
Library Director Jane Blue informed the Board that they are going to receive a decrease in state aid this year going from $176,846 to $165,929, a decrease of $13,357. She explained that the County has not gotten the allocation that is a requirement from the state library. Over the last two years, Mrs. Blue decreased her request due to the financial issues in the County and the state looks at that as the County not meeting their obligation. On average, the income from the County for the library averages 43% of their operating budget and it should be at 66% ($321,713) as that is the requirement from the state. Mrs. Blue is asking for $300,820 which would cover 62%, a 7% increase in funding for FY27.
Mrs. Blue highlighted that she received a grant in the amount of $134,000 for the pocket park and not one penny from the County was spent on that park. It was funded on grants and donations given to the library. In addition, she highlighted that she has a staff retention rate of 90% and she'd like to keep it that way. She takes care of her people, makes sure they get their raises, and evaluations. Mrs. Blue stated that she even deferred her raise last year so she could give more money to her staff. She stated that all of these things cannot be possible without the Board's support and hopes they will consider her request.
D. Department of Social Services
Mrs. Jackie Clayton, Director of Social Services, stated that they've have some changes from the HR1 bill that's going to impact them. She explained that the pass rate is going from 67% to 75% so they do need to account for that. The local match for that is an increase of about $44,000. The SNAP administration fees that were paid 50-50, the locality is going to have to pick up 25%, roughly $22,000. If the administrative fees for SNAP are not covered by the budget, it would be $147,000 in local money. She believes that it's going to be covered except for the local match of 15.5%. In addition, there's a governor's bill that is probably going to pass that has a minimum starting salary for family service workers going from $36,000 to $50,000 effective July 1, 2026. Mrs. Clayton is glad they are being recognized, however with this change she'll have a 5-year employee
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making $50,000 and effective July 1, 2026, her new employees will be making the same and there is no room for alignment. She stated that rent for the building is increasing by 10% this year and she asked that the Board consider granting their 2% bonus from the Governor which would cost the locality $4,417.
Vice Chairman Williams asked how she knew what funding they were going to receive from the state.
Mrs. Clayton stated that it's assuming the state passes their budget based on their projections sent to them.
Chairman Brann stated that there would be a tax increase if the County gave social services their request in full. He rather look for ways to have less benefits and not have people relying on them, because if they raise taxes then people are basically paying for the benefits anyway.
Mrs. Clayton stated in December the able-bodied population in the County will have to volunteer or work 20 hours a week or they will lose their Medicaid coverage. Mrs. Clayton moved on to the CSA budget and explained that it's a matter of looking at what they've spent, what they expect and know is coming up, and making sure they have the local match. The good and bad thing is there is unlimited state money for the mandated children and all the of children the County serves are considered mandated. The FY26 budget for CSA totaled $360,000 and she's requesting $500,000 for FY27. Chairman Brann asked if Mrs. Clayton could send the Board a comparison of revenue from the state, federal, county and any other revenue sources. He asked if the County gets 2% salary increase and the state gets 2%, would her staff get a 4% increase? Mrs. Clayton stated no, that they try to match what the County does.
E. Emergency Services
EMS Chief Bailey presented his budget request to the Board and explained the changes for FY27. Their initial request was to level fund at FY26 salaries while funding an additional 8% increase coming out of EMS billing monies, however the Finance Committee informed him that they would have to cover fringe benefits, so the request was lowered to an additional 3% as it sits right now, totaling 5% if the 2% gets approved by the state. The request also includes increases for part-time, overtime, and shift leaders. Chief Bailey continued with the operating budget lines, presenting the increases/decreases in his request for FY27.
Supervisor Long asked how far behind the County is in salaries when it comes to surrounding counties.
EMS Chief Bailey explained the County is paid 15.41% lower than Westmoreland, Lancaster, Richmond County and Essex on average across all four provider levels. Vice Chairman Williams asked if other localities have the opportunity of working overtime like our County does. He asked if that is a perk that our County employees have.
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Chief Bailey stated that they do not have the vacancies that we do, so probably not near as often. He stated that it's a perk up to a certain point. When you start holding people in mandatory overtime and they work two days straight, that is when it is no longer a perk. Vice Chairman Williams stated so the increase in overtime is due to the vacancies. Chief Bailey stated that is correct.
Supervisor Harris asked about the 8% increase in salaries coming from EMS billing and asked how much that was going to cost.
Chief Bailey stated that he's projecting to do slight salary increases coming from EMS billing, totaling 10%, over the next five fiscal years. The cost for FY27 would be $90,596.91, $113,405 for FY28, $157,775 for FY29, $169,021 for FY30 and $213,460 for FY31. He explained that the EMS billing account would be sitting at a balance of $339,721 if FY27 numbers were approved, given that $20,000 comes in a month.
4. County Administrator Items
A. Anti-Litter Committee Re-appointment - Clarence Dameron District III
Motion to approve the re-appointment of Mr. Clarence Dameron to the Anti-Litter Committee, District III.
Moved by: James Long; seconded by: Keith Harris
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
B. Middle Peninsula Juvenile Detention Commission Re-appointment
Motion to approve the re-appointment of Mr. Luttrell Tadlock to the Middle Peninsula Juvenile Detention Commission.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
5. 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
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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.
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 W. Brann, James M. Long, 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
D. Action Taken from Closed Meeting, Shannon O'Bier Payroll Assistance Contract
Motion to approve the contract with Ms. Shannon O'Bier for payroll assistance at the school division per the memorandum of understanding between the County and the school division at a flat rate of $3,000 per month.
Moved by: Chip Williams; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
E. Action Taken from Closed Meeting, Salary Adjustment
Motion to approve a salary adjustment for employee number 10664 in the amount of $72,059 effective June 1, 2026.
Moved by: James Long; seconded by: Keith Harris
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
6. Closing of Meeting
A. Adjournment
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Motion to adjourn.
Moved by: Keith Harris; seconded by: James Long
Aye: James Long, James Brann, Chip Williams, Al Fisher, and Keith Harris
Motion Carried 5-0
Board Clerk - E. Luttrell Tadlock