January 3 2024 Special Meeting Minutes 186
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024
5:00 P.M.
BOARD ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES
Board of Supervisors: Josh E. Ludwig, Chairman; Blaine P. Dunn, Vice Chairman; Judith McCann-
Slaughter; Robert W. Wells; Heather H. Lockridge; and John F. Jewell were present. The Shawnee District
seat is currently vacant.Staff present: Michael Bollhoefer, County Administrator;Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County
Administrator; Roderick B. Williams, County Attorney; Karen Vacchio, Public Information Officer; Scott
Varner, Director of Information Technologies; Rich Venskoske, Director of Elections; and Ann W. Phillips,
Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ludwig called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
Vice Chairman Dunn moved that the Board of Supervisors of Frederick County enter a closed
session pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for discussion of candidates for the Shawnee
District Supervisor. Supervisor Lockridge seconded the motion which carried on a voice vote.
At 5:53 p.m., the Board members being assembled within the designated meeting place in the
presence of members of the public and the media desiring to attend, the meeting was reconvened on motion
of Vice Chairman Dunn, seconded by Supervisor Slaughter, and carrying on a voice vote. Vice Chairman
Dunn moved that the Board of Supervisors of Frederick County certify that, to the best of each member's
knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia
Minute Book 49
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting of January 3, 2024
County of Frederick, Virginia
187
law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applies, and (ii) only such public business
matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by
the Board. Supervisor Slaughter seconded the motion which carried as follows on a recorded vote:
Blaine P. Dunn Aye (Shawnee District Seat Vacant)
John F. Jewell Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
Heather H. Lockridge Aye Josh E. Ludwig Aye
Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye
APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT LIERO INTERIM SHAWNEE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR
Supervisor Lockridge moved that Robert Liero be appointed as interim Shawnee District Supervisor.
Supervisor Slaughter seconded the motion.
Vice Chairman Dunn said he favored an election in April rather than an appointment to allow the voters
to decide on their representative. He moved to substitute a motion to have a special election in April rather than
make an appointment. The motion died for lack of a second.
The motion to appoint Robert Liero carried as follows on a recorded vote:
Blaine P. Dunn No (Shawnee District Seat Vacant)
John F. Jewell Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
Heather H. Lockridge Aye Josh E. Ludwig Aye
Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye
COUNTY ATTORNEY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A PETITION FOR WRIT OF ELECTION TO FILL SHAWNEE
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER SEAT
The Board and staff discussed the timing and costs of a special election.
Supervisor Jewell moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the County Attorney to file a petition for writ
of election on November 5, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the office of Shawnee District member of the Board of
Supervisors. Supervisor Slaughter seconded the motion which carried as follows on a recorded vote:
Blaine P. Dunn No (Shawnee District Seat Vacant)
John F. Jewell Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
Heather H. Lockridge Aye Josh E. Ludwig Aye
Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye
Minute Book 49
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting of January 3, 2024
County of Frederick, Virginia
188
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY
TO FILE A PETITION FOR WRIT OF ELECTION TO FILL VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF SHAWNEE DISTRICT MEMBER
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WHEREAS,Josh E.Ludwig began service as Chairman At-Large of the Board of Supervisors,effective January 1,
2024,thereby vacating the office of Shawnee District member of Board of Supervisors as of the same date;and
WHEREAS,Virginia Code§24.2-226(A)requires the Board of Supervisors to file with the Circuit Court a petition
for a writ of election to fill the vacancy in the office of Shawnee District member of Board of Supervisors within 15
days of the vacancy;and
WHEREAS,the Board fmds it appropriate that the election to fill the vacancy in the office of Shawnee District
member of the Board of Supervisors take place on November 5,2024.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the Board authorizes the County Attorney to file with the Circuit
Court a petition seeking issuance of a writ of election,to fill the vacancy in the office of Shawnee District member
of the Board of Supervisors,such election to occur on November 5,2024.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, at 6:08 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
Josh E. Ludwig Michael Bollhoefer
Chairman, Board of Supervisors County Administrator
Minutes Prepared By:
Ann W. Phillips
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book 49
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting of January 3, 2024
County of Frederick, Virginia