[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6042630,"mediaKeyId","3675490-9039ddfc2b7e914e967d851abfa32d36","parentId",3675490,"title","Supervisors approve deed transfer conditions for new fire station, direct staff to draft agreement","audioSeconds",316,"startMs",1688100,"endMs",2004100,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3675490-9039ddfc2b7e914e967d851abfa32d36&start=1688&end=2004","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3675490-9039ddfc2b7e914e967d851abfa32d36/thumbnail_1688100.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6042630/Mathews-County/Virginia/Supervisors-approve-deed-transfer-conditions-for-new-fire-station-direct-staff-to-draft-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042630-8345abadfc0d4f737253f4115e159f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150006&Signature=eNAE2MmbdrBAWfGWg57YOu~fjyvINf1z2RNQliu-ChclmVBlDoprf-fuqRCo~KiyG9m-jyUMBAAETWlRaAR0VjZLbp~iLsnbY8yZNyLTn8iY0Gfd4PvzBjIt3SPm~Co02WvbP2cH~ulieP6aRiOKC8jUM5UxgH2vdYckddKfdNOkPTjN1mBHjRm08OZLG7T0yo1FUSd7DE7CFySnWnQMBkfjpXu~Ko2w--iCfUpcl50bgCLf-diIJAQY2nlmkZsHDjhLDlXsjuPy4871VDUCL49sjg0NQaQpMmE2yNr~~s0DncDWfOMGzWEQ5Yjv0OqJFDenUSYTNVa6jQ7khWP7tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mathews County","date","2025-04-13T00:00:00Z","article","Mathews County supervisors voted to approve transferring title of a specified building to the county fire department with conditions, and directed county staff and counsel to draft the deed and related agreement to preserve county interests.

The motion, offered by Supervisor Bowen, instructed the county attorney to prepare a transfer with conditions as proposed during the session, including mechanisms to protect county ownership of existing Station 1 once the new facility is completed. The motion also called for documents that specify staged draws and oversight during construction. The motion was seconded (second not specified in the record) and passed on recorded voice votes; recorded ayes included Supervisor Bowen, Supervisor Stivalops, Supervisor Walls, Supervisor Jones and Supervisor Dawson.

Why it matters: supervisors said any county funds provided to the fire department should include oversight and staged disbursements so taxpayer money is protected. Several supervisors emphasized a reverter clause or deed restriction ensuring that, if the fire department stops using the property for fire services, title could revert to the county rather than relying only on IRS rules governing charitable organizations.

Engineering and funding: supervisors discussed using existing engineering funds (approximately $240,000 remaining after a roughly $55,000 feasibility study) to begin engineering work immediately rather than advancing the full $3,000,000 allocation upfront. One supervisor said engineering could be started right away with the available funds and recommended draws be tied to clear milestones and contractor oversight.

Board direction and next steps: supervisors asked county staff—specifically legal counsel and administrative staff named in the session—to prepare a deed, memorandum of understanding or similar contract document that includes conditions, staged draws and a reverter clause. Supervisors also requested that the county ensure Station 1 reverts to county control when the new station is occupied.

Vote at a glance: motion to transfer title with conditions and have attorney draft documents — mover: Supervisor Bowen; second: not specified; outcome: approved (recorded ayes: Bowen, Stivalops, Walls, Jones, Dawson; tally yes: 5, no: 0).

Ending: With a motion approved, staff will return with draft legal language and recommendations for how engineering draws and construction oversight will be handled before substantive payments are released.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Worksession FY26 #5 After Break 2025-04-13","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to transfer title to a new fire station to the local fire department with conditions and to have county attorneys draft the deed/MOU; supervisors also discussed funding engineering work and staged draws rather than a single payment.","taxTitle","Mathews County, Virginia","taxId",73645,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6042633,"Mathews County supervisors discuss using fund balance, interim financing to cover school deficit and capital needs",2999,2720,3002460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3675490-9039ddfc2b7e914e967d851abfa32d36&start=2&end=3002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3675490-9039ddfc2b7e914e967d851abfa32d36/thumbnail_2720.jpg","/articles/6042633/Mathews-County/Virginia/Mathews-County-supervisors-discuss-using-fund-balance-interim-financing-to-cover-school-deficit-and-capital-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042633-c2f98d426bc8885931a690d9d0085311/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150006&Signature=OVJ8JDkK8ULJHwLDu29Qqtd4LVIyEknl9zYExmrbX5NW3s1dVLpjvvaN6pBVdBoIv2cPqvDTDQCrVIaGPOAhcVo1i~MUSK71ogv7TX3vT6kLitfxv3CndbtBql8egFrnJ2BiK0VO7JKTzITWFic8UbbJjN7rAAcz9v4z5Z4i7BAH59BWzvF8Oaug6TocnDRFKnsYjfZqXI6nJus5Hg7UTyxtzIHKnrnK2LAMEF9Rna1sF4A51tkWbdsovvG3Ulklp~09zLUOpBWTDgEkjlTZB9nMKSRvTApTZ9MPJgRJRRKMKI33I-0RfMFgCR0rAjKeM~Vq-0cx2Zt5w3aNPPC2eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mathews County supervisors spent a large portion of their work session weighing tradeoffs between taking on new debt and drawing from county reserves to cover a $1,227,812.42 shortfall in the schools budget and other capital needs.

The county’s finance staff reported, “the deficit right now is that $1,227,812.42, which is 5.83¢ on the real estate tax,” and outlined the status of interim financing tied to a $5,000,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) loan. Finance staff said the county has drawn $1,735,899 from the interim financing to cover capital expenditures already spent and that the net amount initially deposited into the county’s account after closing costs was $4,985,219.58.

Why it matters: supervisors said the choice between borrowing and using reserves will affect next year’s tax rate and the county’s fund balance policy. Several supervisors urged avoiding new long‑term debt where possible to limit added debt service and protect the county’s credit position; others cautioned not to reduce the unassigned fund balance below the policy minimum.

Board members discussed specific options. One supervisor outlined a plan to fund $5,000,000 in school repairs over 20 years (noting some school repairs may not have 30‑year lifespans), which would produce about $363,000 in annual debt service if financed over 20 years; combined with the current shortfall that would raise the real estate tax impact toward about 8¢. Another proposal discussed using $2,000,000 from county reserves to fund immediate energy upgrades and other school improvements to lower future operating costs and defer or reduce borrowing.

Supervisors and staff reviewed the interim financing draw schedule and the requirement to spend specified amounts by certain dates; finance staff said the county must draw roughly $3,000,000 in September and complete the remainder by the next March to satisfy the financing terms. Board members noted a current available cash position (fund balance plus an expected VDOT reimbursement) that, by their accounting, could be roughly $6.1 million, but they also stressed policy constraints limiting how much of that balance is available for one‑time uses.

Participants emphasized two constraints: (1) a county unassigned fund balance policy that staff said is 15% of the operating fund—projected at about $5.4 million under the FY26 estimate—and (2) the practical need to maintain steady, predictable debt service for budgeting. Finance staff noted that withdrawing a portion of the fund balance now to begin high‑priority projects could avoid near‑term interest costs while preserving the option to borrow later if market rates fall.

Other budget matters raised included the use of meals tax revenue (several supervisors suggested it might cover school debt service but also said the legal designation of that revenue would need confirmation), questions about prior state funds for school improvements (one supervisor asked for an accounting of $1,200,000 identified as previously granted), and the possibility of a future sales tax or referendum as a revenue source.

Board members asked for more modeling from school officials and the county—projecting staffing, enrollment, and operating cost scenarios for two‑ and five‑year horizons—so the supervisors can assess whether consolidation or other structural changes will be required to sustain both operating and capital needs.

Ending: Supervisors agreed to continue detailed review of FY26 budget projections, debt service schedules and fund balance options, and to request further line‑item detail and financial models from school and county staff before making final decisions on tax rates or major draws from fund balance.","Board members debated whether to draw on fund balance or take new debt to cover a $1.23 million school deficit and other capital needs, and considered advancing engineering and energy projects to reduce long‑term costs.","actionData","errors"]

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Supervisors approve deed transfer conditions for new fire station, direct staff to draft agreement

Mathews County supervisors discuss using fund balance, interim financing to cover school deficit and capital needs