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Board Actions

At the top of its February 28 meeting, in new business, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution for an interim Agreement between Roanoke County and G&H Contracting, Inc., regarding pre-construction services for the Bonsack Fire Station. Construction on the new fire station in the Bonsack area along Route 460 (Mexico Way). This station would become the County's 14th fire station and replace the services currently provided by Botetourt County's Read Mountain Station.

The Board of Supervisors also approved a resolution approving Roanoke County’s participation in the proposed settlement of opioid-related claims against Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and their related corporate entities, and directing the County Attorney and/or the County’s outside counsel to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the County’s participation in the settlements. After years of litigation, these Defendants have now agreed to terms of global settlements of more than $18.7 billion to state and local governments nationwide for abatement of the harms caused by the opioid epidemic. Roanoke County will receive approximately 1.498% of the distribution received by the Commonwealth; and it is estimated that the County will receive approximately $6.36 million over the next several years.

The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget in accordance with Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2507. Section 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, provides that whenever such amendment exceeds one (1) percent of the total expenditures shown in the adopted budget, the County must publish notice of a meeting and public hearing. The notice must state the County’s intent to amend the budget and include a brief synopsis of the proposed budget amendment(s). This notice was published on February 21, 2023. This change to the budget comes from the acceptance and appropriation of funds in Second Reading of Ordinances below.

First Reading of Ordinances

The Board of Supervisors approved an emergency first reading of an ordinance appropriating an additional $3,807,876.66 from the Roanoke County Public Schools' fiscal year 2021-2022 year-end funds to the fiscal year 2022-2023 Roanoke County Public Schools Budget. This action is a necessary legal procedure to reflect the remaining multi-year grant budget balance within the 2022-2023 budget appropriation for grants that were awarded and appropriated by both the School Board and Board of Supervisors during a prior year. There is no change or effect on the purpose of the funds.

A first reading was also held for an ordinance approving and authorizing an Amended Agreement with the City of Salem to allow Roanoke County to act as the Erosion and Sediment Control Authority and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program Authority for the West Roanoke River Greenway, Phase 1. The second reading and vote for adoption are scheduled for March 14.

The Board also approved the first reading of an ordinance approving and authorizing an Agreement for the construction and maintenance of the West Roanoke River Greenway Phase 1 (VDOT UPC No. 97171) Project with the City of Salem. The second reading and vote for adoption are scheduled for March 14.

Second Reading of Ordinances

The Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance accepting $170,081 from the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) and appropriating such funds, along with a local match of $170,081 from capital reserves to the grant fund; Accepting $216,831.85 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and appropriating such funds to the Capital Fund; Accepting $100,000 from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and appropriating such funds to the grant fund; and Reallocating an additional $226,426.15 from the County Capital Reserves with $47,426.15 going to the grant fund and $179,000 staying within the capital fund; For the purchase of two (2) ambulances for the Fire & Rescue Department and to complete the replacement of firearms for the Police Department.

The Board also approved an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for the General Operating Revenues and Expenditures by $6,000,000 and appropriating $5,000,000 to the County's Capital Fund and $1,000,000 to the General Government Fund. Revenues are trending above current year budget projections in Real Estate Tax, Personal Property Tax, Sales Tax, Business License Tax, Cigarette Tax, and Meals Tax. This amendment will increase the General Government revenues budget by $6,000,000 and increase the General Government expenditures by $500,000 for tax relief for the elderly and handicapped and disabled veterans, $500,000 for contracted repairs and $5,000,000 will be transferred to the capital fund to be used for the Bonsack Fire Station and the offices for Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the Public Service Center.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Supervisors approved the following items under its consent agenda:

• Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $22,500 from George Mason University, Center for Evidence-Based Crime and Policy (CEBCP) for the purpose of funding annual officer wellness visits
• An ordinance authorizing the release and vacation of an existing waterline, temporary construction, and drainage easements located on property owned by Margaret O. Klapperich, Instrument Number 201507683, Tax Map #027.06-05- 06.00-0000, Hollins Magisterial District (First Reading and request for Second Reading).

Evening Session and Public Hearings

After a public hearing, the Board approves a petition of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless to 1) amend a proffered condition and 2) approve a special use permit for a broadcasting tower approximately 124 feet in height, on approximately 4.81 acres of land zoned high-intensity commercial district with conditions, at 2918 Peters Creek Road.

After a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors approves a petition by Engineering Concepts, Inc. to obtain a special use permit for a water tank (major utility service) approximately 42 feet in height located on approximately 1.82 acres of land, zoned Agricultural/Rural Preserve District, located in the 2600 block of Summit Ridge Road.

Work Session

The Board of Supervisors moved to work sessions with staff to review the County Administrator's Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 - 2033 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and to review the fiscal year 2023-2024 employee compensation and benefits and outside agency funding.

For More Information

More information on each of these items, along with the meeting video can be found under the Past Meetings section of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meetings and Videos page.

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