Pittsylvania County - VA issued the following announcement on Jan. 24
The Board of Supervisors is committed to supporting our volunteer fire and rescue community with our words, votes, and finances. During January's meeting we made some important votes about volunteer fire and rescue, such as instituting one-time bonuses.
The Board of Supervisors is committed to supporting our volunteer fire and rescue community with our words, votes, and finances. Hundreds of volunteers invest their time, energy, and expertise to provide invaluable services to our community, saving the County millions of dollars every year.
During our January meeting we made some important votes about volunteer fire and rescue. One of those was approving $500 hazard pay bonuses for all active volunteers to thank them for faithfully responding to calls, even during the pandemic. We decided that the active volunteers that received the $500 vaccine incentive will not be eligible to receive this bonus, and the reason for that is simple: we wanted to ensure that every volunteer is equally rewarded for their contributions to this community.
We also voted to remove any requirements that volunteer fire and rescue agencies provide the County annual financial reports and/or audits of all available funds. I requested this language be removed from future Budget Resolutions and that random audits no longer be required for County volunteer fire and rescue agencies. In my opinion, we as the County have no right to micromanage the finances of these agencies that are operated by selfless, dedicated people.
Both of those changes were effective immediately. Another fire and rescue topic we will vote on in February is a change to the composition of the Fire and Rescue Commission. We want every Supervisor to have a voice in appointing someone from their district, and we want to ensure that everyone on the Commission understands the issues and challenges our fire and rescue community are facing.
I assure you that this Board remain steadfast in its desire to stand behind and assist our fire and rescue agencies and volunteers. We will provide as much support as we possibly can.
Original source can be found here.
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