Russell County Board of Supervisors - May 5th, 2026

The Russell County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 5, 2026, included extensive discussions on the county's budget, particularly focusing on the school division's funding needs. The proposed school budget totaled approximately $59.7 million, with significant local, state, and federal contributions. Key budget considerations included salary and benefit increases, transportation costs, health insurance premium hikes, and capital improvements such as HVAC controls at Castlewood High School. The board also addressed procurement and capital projects, including the replacement of a live scan fingerprint machine for the courthouse at an estimated cost of $16,000, and the purchase of metal benches for inmate safety, with individual benches costing about $1,600. Additionally, the board discussed the sale of surplus school property to a local LLC for $85,000 and considered funding requests such as a $7,534 local match for federal transit bus grants. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to deliberations on conducting a forensic audit of county finances, with motions passed to initiate an audit through the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts and State Police, aiming for transparency and accountability. The board also approved setting a public hearing for the upcoming county budget and tax rate. Other topics included support for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and public safety concerns. Overall, the meeting involved multiple procurement-related decisions, budget approvals, and policy discussions impacting future county expenditures and vendor engagements.