School Sales Tax Referendum & County Updates - The Call Flo Show! | July 17, 2026

🎙️ It’s a Friday morning on The Call Flo Show as Chris Wood welcomes Prince Edward County Administrator Doug Stanley back into the Francis E. Wood Studio. Doug shares updates from the July 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, including the school sales tax referendum, employee recognitions, event permits, drought conditions, EMS coverage, broadband progress, and more. 🌟 Highlights from Today’s Show 🏛️ Doug Stanley Joins the Show Prince Edward County Administrator Doug Stanley returns to the studio after a Mediterranean cruise with his family, marking his 30th anniversary, his wife’s retirement, and his son’s high school graduation. 👏 County Employee Recognitions Doug highlights Sam Arvick, who started as an intern and now works with the Commissioner of the Revenue, and Sheldon Daniels from the Extension Office, who received recognition from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 🚜 Cullen Tractor Pull and Five County Fair The Board approved event permits for the Cullen Volunteer Fire Department tractor pull on September 5 and the Five County Fair, scheduled for September 23 through 27 at the Five County Fairgrounds. 🚗 New Auto Detailing Business in Prospect Doug shares that the Board approved a special use permit for Brandon Lawson to operate an appointment-only auto detailing business in Prospect. 🥪 No Kid Hungry Grant Prince Edward County Public Schools received a $30,030 No Kid Hungry grant to help support the school cafeteria fund and provide food for students to take home on weekends. 🏫 School Sales Tax Referendum One of the biggest topics from the meeting was the proposed local sales tax referendum for school capital projects. If approved by voters on November 3, the additional 1 percent sales tax would be dedicated to school facility improvements. 💰 What the Sales Tax Could Fund Doug explains that the tax could generate around $3.5 million a year for school capital needs, potentially helping with projects at the elementary, middle, and high school, plus career and technical education buildings. 🎭 Barbara Rose Johns Auditorium The conversation touches on the need to renovate the Barbara Rose Johns Auditorium at the high school, including seating, acoustics, lighting, and HVAC improvements. 📚 Schools Released from MOU Doug shares positive news that Prince Edward County Public Schools have been released from the Virginia Department of Education memorandum of understanding, reflecting progress in meeting performance benchmarks. 💧 Drought Watch Advisory The county has entered a drought watch advisory after lower-than-normal rainfall, reduced Appomattox River flow, and low groundwater readings. Residents are encouraged to conserve water where possible. 🐾 Animal Shelter Project Doug says the county is moving forward with plans for a new animal shelter site near Five Pillars Meats, with the next step involving a parcel transfer from the Industrial Development Authority back to the county. 🚒 Fire and EMS Study Prince Edward County was selected as one of two Virginia localities for a Fire and EMS study by the Virginia Fire Services Board. The study will look at operations, staffing, training, equipment, funding, and future service needs. 🚑 EMS Coverage in Prospect Doug explains that PEAVERS is shifting a staffed daytime truck to Prospect, improving coverage for Prospect, Darlington Heights, and Pamplin. During a test run, response times in that area were cut roughly in half. 📡 Emergency Radio System The county’s emergency radio system upgrades continue, with equipment being added to towers in different parts of the county. Testing will need to account for leaf coverage because trees can affect radio signal strength. 😷 Measles Update Doug provides a brief update on the regional measles outbreak, noting that most Prince Edward cases are older and that the Virginia Department of Health continues working to limit spread and share information. 🌐 Broadband Progress The RiverStreet Networks broadband project continues to move forward, with customer installations happening in Prince Edward County. Doug says the project is about 60 percent complete, with an extension moving the expected finish date toward fall 2027. ⚖️ Recovery Court Grant The Central Virginia Recovery Court received a $73,500 grant, with matching funds coming from opioid settlement money. The grant will help with transportation vouchers, housing stabilization, recovery support, evaluations, and drug testing. 🥎 Dixie World Series Support The Board approved a $1,000 donation to support the Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association Debs softball team as they head to the Dixie World Series. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of The Call Flo Show 📞 Call in weekdays from 8 to 9 AM at 434-394-0924