PRINCE EDWARD – County supervisors met in a called meeting Friday afternoon and, following a closed session, agreed on a split vote to amend County Administrator Wade Bartlett's contract, extending it five years and paying him more.

“Mr. Bartlett was hired almost five years ago from an impressive list of highly qualified applicants from across Virginia,” reflected Board Chairman William “Buckie” Fore in a statement released after the meeting. “For me, he has proven himself to be extremely dedicated, energetic, enthusiastic, efficient and knowledgeable about County government. Mr. Bartlett has been an asset to the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Prince Edward County. I am pleased that the majority of the Board feels as I do.”

The board, on a 5-3 vote-with supervisors Howard “Pete” Campbell, Pattie Cooper-Jones and Jim Wilck opposing-extended Bartlett's contract for five years effective March 1, set his salary at $120,000 annually, agreed that he receive $10,000 in deferred compensation (beginning in the next fiscal year) a part of which will be raises given by the County and the balance placed in a deferred compensation fund. He must stay as an employee of Prince Edward County through the five-year extension to receive the deferred income.

The board approved the changes to the contract with little open session discussion.

The board's action, Bartlett would later cite, is in response to an offer that he received from another community. (He had applied and was offered a position.)

“I was offered…a position with another community,” Bartlett said, “and…had notified all the board members and then they had asked if they had matched that offer if I would stay and I said yes. It's not because I'm unhappy here, but…you have to take care of yourself…”

He noted, that he was getting close to retirement age (56) so he had to “think about that. I hate to do that.”

Bartlett also cited, “As one of my friends who's in this said…I am the worst person at negotiating contracts because I don't like that. I'm not driven by money…but there comes a point in time where you have to take care of your family and yourself…”

The county administrator said he is “appreciative” of the confidence the board has shown by the extension.

Bartlett, who came to Prince Edward in 2007, had his contract extended last year for three years with no pay increase.

“…I'm happy to be here,” Bartlett said. “I think we have some very exciting things that are gonna happen in Prince Edward…what with the rebounding of the economy and with the apparent success of Prince Edward Development…moving forward with that hotel. I believe that's gonna be a spur of growth and I think…we, Prince Edward County are going to see considerable amount of commercial growth. Of course, we all know Longwood is continuing to grow.”

He also added that he thinks “we're going to be turning the corner here” and that he wants to “be part of that.”