Board Meeting Notes

See more information about the items below by viewing the March 12, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting video.

At the top of the meeting, the Board of Supervisors received a briefing about Route 419/220 transportation projects. Upcoming projects include updates to traffic signals on Route 220 from Route 419 to Clearbrook, along with the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at the intersection of 419 and Route 220 that promises to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety in the Tanglewood area.

In new business, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to update the bylaws of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.

The Board of Supervisors also held a public hearing for citizen comments on the Real Estate effective tax rate for calendar year 2024. One person spoke during the public hearing. Per the Code of Virginia, 58.1-3321, when any annual reassessment (in the County of Roanoke) of real property would result in an increase of one percent or more in the total real property tax levies excluding new construction, a calculation known as the "effective tax rate increase" is required to be completed. The County of Roanoke's real property assessments, excluding new construction, increased by 7.75% over the previous year. Therefore, per State Code, the County must calculate the effective tax rate increase, advertise the effective tax rate increase, and conduct a public hearing pertaining to the effective tax rate increase.

The Code of Virginia requires specific language to be included in the advertisement of the effective tax rate. The advertisement published in the Roanoke Times on February 11, 2024, contained the following language:

"The County of Roanoke, Virginia proposes to increase property tax levies.

1.    Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 7.75 percent.

2.    Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above would be $0.984 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate”.

3.    Effective Rate Increase: The County of Roanoke proposes to adopt a tax rate of no greater than $1.06 per $100 of assessed value, which is currently no change over the current tax rate. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be approximately $0.076 per $100 or 7.19 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase”. Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

4.    Proposed General Government Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenue, the total General Government budget of the County of Roanoke is estimated to exceed last year’s amended budget by 6.49 percent."

In a separate item, the Board of Supervisors approved the minutes of its January 4, 2024, January 8, 2024, January 9, 2024, and January 11, 2024, meetings.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Supervisors approved the following items in the form of one resolution. See more information about the items below on the Consent Agenda Resolution. 

• Approval of minutes- for the January 23, 2024, February 13, 2024, and February 27, 2024, Board of Supervisors meetings;
• An ordinance authorizing the relocation of Windsor Hills district precinct 303 polling place pursuant from our Lady of Nazareth Church at 2505 Electric Road in Roanoke to Christ the King Church at 2335 Electric Road in Roanoke (Second Reading);
• A resolution amending and re-adopting a Grievance Procedure.

Work Session

The Board of Supervisors moved to work sessions with staff to discuss proposed changes to Chapter 19 of the Roanoke County Code (solicitors and solicitations), and to review the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Closed Sessions

The Board of Supervisors held closed sessions as follows:

Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3) of the Code of Virginia, to discuss or consider the acquisition of real property in the Cave Spring Magisterial District for a public purpose, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body;

Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) of the Code of Virginia, for discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. Specifically, the Board will discuss potential business location or expansion in the Cave Spring and Catawba Magisterial Districts.

For More Information...

More information on these items and the meeting video can be found under the Past Meetings section of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meetings and Videos page. You may also contact the Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board at 540-772-2005 for more information.