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.