Botetourt County

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. A modification to the agenda was approved to add resolutions concerning early voting (4A) and BMI (4B). The meeting included recognition for Lieutenant Gary Fischer on achieving his bachelor's degree. Public comments raised concerns regarding traffic safety on a short stretch of 220 near the apartments, surveying activity at Valley Road, and potential traffic impact from the Millstone subdivision onto Mimosa Street. A request was made to amend the January 27th meeting minutes regarding an announced walk-on item from economic development. Updates were provided on resurfacing contracts (2025 routes complete, 2026 prep work starting), traffic engineering work orders (including addressing concerns near Valley Road), and ongoing plan reviews for multiple subdivisions. Construction project updates included work at exit 162 to extend an acceleration lane onto I-81 northbound, and progress on the exit 143 to 150 widening project on I-81. Maintenance focused on pothole patching, prep work for resurfacing, tree trimming, and gravel road maintenance. A citizen concern was raised about a flooding culvert on Jennings Creek Road. A significant portion of the meeting involved the reading and resolution concerning early voting for a constitutional amendment referendum scheduled for April 21, 2026. The resolution declined to establish satellite absentee voting locations due to legal concerns regarding the referendum's constitutionality and called upon the General Assembly to reimburse related costs.

The meeting was a Budget Subcommittee session reviewing materials related to the FY27 budget development process. Key discussion points included an overview of state economic indicators such as gross product, employment, unemployment rates, personal income, and population trends, which showed projected slowdowns. The review also covered job gains by sector, unemployment rates by industry, and trends in personal consumption and consumer sentiment. A significant portion of the meeting involved reviewing the planned budget calendar, which includes steps like the budget task force review, county administration review, and public hearings leading up to the May 26th adoption date. The current recommended expenditures ($107.1 million) exceeded preliminary revenues ($94.1 million) by approximately $13 million, which is expected to be reconciled during subsequent review stages. Guidance for FY27 budget requests emphasized eliminating non-essential expenditures and limiting non-personnel operating increases to 3%. The capital improvement plan includes $5.6 million for FY27, heavily weighted towards public safety and parks. Public attendees raised concerns regarding the projected expenditure increase, the need for budget cuts, the lack of developer contribution to cover new service costs (e.g., schooling and fire protection), and a call for greater transparency regarding how county funds, particularly for schools, are utilized.

The meeting began with addressing technical difficulties related to remote participation by Supervisor Clinton, who was subsequently approved to participate electronically. The Board paused the meeting to resolve the connection issues and then proceeded to allow public comment, specifically regarding the agenda item that had been tabled from the December 16th meeting, which involved Change Order Number Three. Public commentary focused heavily on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) radio communications upgrade, with one speaker raising concerns that the infrastructure specification mirrored designs for large corporate data centers, potentially creating long-term debt for private benefit, and requesting full technical specifications and public workshops before proceeding. Another speaker, representing the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District, expressed concern over the potential strain of a large data center on the county's water supply, referencing the 2 to 8 million gallons of water a day usage, and advocated for exploring newer, less resource-intensive data center technologies. A third speaker expressed strong support for the radio system upgrade, emphasizing its necessity for law enforcement, fire, and EMS lifeblood communications, and urged the board to approve the associated change order before the end of the year to realize significant cost savings and maintain the project schedule. Following public comment, the Emergency Communication Systems Manager presented on the change order options, highlighting cost savings of approximately $650,000 if executed by year-end and stressing the importance of adhering to the schedule to meet foliage-dependent coverage testing windows that could otherwise delay testing until May 2027. The options presented included a split frequency system utilizing VHF for the north and 700 MHz for the south to ensure interoperability with neighboring counties, and noted a beneficial arrangement with the Virginia State Police radio network (STARS) to cover coverage gaps in Arcadia, saving both state and county funds.

The meeting included the certification of the close session, welcoming new members, and a board reorganization process to elect the chair and vice chair, followed by appointments to various board committees and commissions. Key discussions during citizen comment periods involved a request to change the meeting time from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for better public attendance, and serious concerns regarding the safety of a gas line adjacent to the Orchard Lake Dam, including reports of a water leak and erosion, with a stated interest in preserving the lake over draining it. The board also ratified a declaration of local emergency related to storm conditions.

Botetourt County's comprehensive plan for Greenfield Recreation Park outlines a long-term vision for the park's development over the next 10 to 15 years, informed by extensive community feedback. The plan focuses on enhancing existing infrastructure, introducing new recreational amenities, and creating diverse outdoor experiences. Key initiatives include the installation of lighting for sports fields, the construction of permanent restrooms, and the development of dedicated pickleball and tennis courts. Furthermore, the plan aims to establish a multi-purpose community center, dredge and activate Preston Pond for water activities, and expand the network of walking, biking, cross-country, and equestrian trails. Unique features such as an aronasium, a pump track, and an RC car track are also envisioned. The overarching goal is to transform Greenfield Recreation Park into a versatile destination offering a blend of sports tourism and community recreation, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all citizens while seeking alternative funding to minimize taxpayer impact.