Lisa Ashley

The board discussed a range of items including departmental updates from the Senior Project and Operations Manager and the CFO. A resolution honoring a retiring Sheriff was reviewed, and proclamations for National Library Week were adopted. The board held public hearings on road naming, approved an opioid settlement participation request, and addressed requests regarding water easements and fee waivers for fire debris disposal. Additionally, several budget amendments and line-item transfers were approved for the Departments of Social Services, Finance, and Law Enforcement, and the Board of Equalization and Review meeting minutes were presented.

The board discussed a request from Bottomley Evergreens & Farms for a waiver of landfill fees related to fire debris removal. There was a proposal to transition EMS personnel to a 24/72 schedule to address recruitment and retention, along with a base salary increase. The board appointed a new Sheriff, addressed school facilities' garbage collection costs, approved the sale of surplus disc golf equipment and vehicles, and handled several budget amendments, including allocations for SCIF funds and revaluation expenses. The County Manager provided project updates on the transfer station, and an executive session was held regarding legal consultation.

The agenda for the meeting on March 2, 2026, included several public comments and general business items. Informational items included a political endorsement for Sheriff and a request for a fire debris disposal fee waiver, as well as a discussion regarding an EMS shift change to a 24/72 schedule. Action items involved requests for cost offsets for school garbage collection, approval to surplus and sell disc golf equipment, an appointment to the Town Planning Board, approval of vehicle sealed bids, and multiple budget amendments related to SCIF funds (Pool, Courthouse Project, Capital Project), General Fund Insurance Proceeds, and Revaluation Funds. The County Manager and Commissioners were also scheduled to provide comments.

The February 16, 2026 meeting agenda included several presentations, such as the TDA Quarterly Update. General business covered TDA Way Finding Signage, a request from Alleghany County Schools for garbage collection cost offset, Approval of RFP for Solid Waste Transportation Services, and a request to sell disc golf equipment. The Consent Agenda involved the Tax Administrator's Monthly Reports. Items for action included discussion on the Rules of Procedure, an appointment to the Town Planning Board, the BDC use policy, and multiple Budget Amendments for Opioid Jail Expenses, OSBM Helene Recovery Facility Grant, DSS Donation, Law Enforcement Donation, and an EMS Opioid Line-item transfer. The Tax Administrator was also scheduled to present the Report of 2025 unpaid taxes and set an advertisement date. The meeting concluded with County Manager and Commissioner Comments, and a Request for Closed Session for Personnel matters.

The agenda for the meeting included a closed session followed by a work session. Key discussion topics for the work session involved the upcoming budget cycle, emphasizing caution regarding fund balance use, and prioritizing items such as the Transfer Station project, Ball Fields Project, Sparta Elementary School Auditorium HVAC improvements, Tiny Homes Village concepts, and recycling initiatives. The Board also discussed potential significant state and federal funding reductions affecting the Health Department and Social Services, planning for a worst-case scenario. Updates were provided on the Transfer Station Project, including its funding model as an enterprise fund, and grant pursuits. Discussions covered fund balance relative to school construction cash flow, updates on the Ball Fields Project and Sparta High School Auditorium HVAC/Seating improvements, and exploration of Tiny Homes Initiative program concepts. Commissioner Irwin requested consideration for several items in future budget planning, including veterans memorial area maintenance, Fairgrounds / "Black Building" maintenance and potential grant focus, and Show Barn improvements. Further topics included revenue projections, the timeline for revaluation, recognition for emergency preparedness during the ice storm, and a staffing/shift proposal for EMS to address shortages. Separately, the February 18, 2026, meeting minutes indicated a closed session for Attorney Consultation, and the unanimous approval to engage Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates, PLLC to conduct a forensic audit of Glade Creek FD Fire Tax Accounts from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.