County-funded agencies make BoS requests

The Louisa County Historical Society has received annual funding of $7,500 from the county for the past several years but asked the board for a $50,000 increase for the upcoming fiscal year. Executive Director Katelyn Coughlan noted how the organization has grown in the last two years by adding more public programs and has begun digitalizing its historical archives. However, the loss of COVID funding and a decrease in membership and donations following the pandemic has the local nonprofit asking for a significant increase.

“Without funding from the county at the level we’re suggesting, it will greatly inhibit our ability to continue the momentum that we have currently,” Coughlan said.

The historical society presented a long-term plan, stating that its ask would decrease by 10% each year while it continues to build membership, sponsorship, and obtain funding through grants and donations.

After some discussion, a motion to grant the historical society the additional $50,000 was denied in a 3-4 vote. The board ultimately made a motion to grant the organization an additional $35,000 on top of the $7,500 it has received previously, amounting to $42,500. The motion passed unanimously.

The Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) aids local businesses by advising, providing market research, and hosting events and training sessions. Director Rebecca Haydock highlighted how the SBDC’s presence in the county has grown in the last two years. The Charlottesville-based organization worked with 37 Louisa businesses in 2022, helping to create 13 new jobs.

Its request for a $7,415 increase in funding, amounting to $22,415, was unanimously approved in routine fashion.

The same went for Virginia Career Works, as the board unanimously approved its funding request for $7,672, a $270 increase from the previous fiscal year. In 2022, the workforce network granted nine Louisa residents $5,500 each for training in various career fields.

The board then heard a presentation from Region Ten, a county resource for addiction recovery and mental health counseling. Its ask of $240,264 is a $95,264 increase from last year. However, the board inquired about a need for an additional mental health clinician.

“I was told that, right now, if you needed mental health [counseling] it could take as much as three months to be seen,” said Patrick Henry District Supervisor Fitzgerald Barnes.

Senior Director of Developmental Disability and Rural Services Shannon Wright said Region Ten is experiencing “major capacity issues” for adults seeking mental health counseling.

The board postponed a vote to approve or deny funding, asking Region Ten to return with a funding proposal that would include hiring an additional mental health counselor.

The Fluvanna-Louisa Housing Foundation (FLHF) assists low-income residents with home repairs, financial education, and provides handicap access ramps. The organization also maintains affordable rental units.

The FLHF’s funding proposal for $45,000, a $19,350 increase from last year, was unanimously approved by the board.

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors will hold its next budget work session on March 20 at 4 p.m. at the Louisa County Administration Building Public Meeting Room.