Wythe County

The Board of Supervisors addressed several administrative and operational matters, including the review and payment of county invoices, updates on public projects like the data center and farm machinery crossing signs, and Congressional directed spending requests. The Board authorized the purchase of dispatch consoles, approved professional services for watershed protection, and awarded contracts for water improvement projects. Budget amendments were made for the Sheriff's office and schools. Additionally, the Board conducted budget work sessions, discussed real property and personnel matters in closed sessions, and adopted a resolution opposing mandatory collective bargaining legislation.

The Board addressed several agenda items, including updates on a proposed data center and the announcement of a community public input meeting regarding land use classification. A student presentation was given on a farm safety project involving the installation of machinery crossing signs. Staff discussed Congressional directed spending requests for local projects, including water infrastructure and a county cannery. Multiple budget amendments were approved for the Sheriff's Office, covering programmatic costs, travel expenses, and high school sports transportation. The Board authorized various procurement contracts and projects for the Building and Grounds Committee and the Water and Wastewater Committee, including dispatch consoles, watershed protection, and water improvement projects. A water leak adjustment was also granted for a rental property. The meeting included a closed session regarding real property and legal consultation, followed by a series of budget work sessions.

The meeting focused on reviews of financial reports, specifically Pool Reimbursement Request Reports and the County Budget Summary. Old business included an update on the CSA Program Audit and the upcoming joint training for FAPT and CPMT, alongside a report on the VJCCCA Program Audit. New business topics included plans to develop an online survey for families receiving CSA funded services, the review of the budget for PSSF for the upcoming fiscal year, and the development of the VJCCCA Program Plan for the next biennium. The team moved into a closed session to discuss confidential client information and later approved several FAPT-approved services and non-FAPT reviewed expenditures. Finally, updates were provided on foster care statistics, department budget concerns, and health department program openings.

The Board addressed extensive public concerns regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements, the use of project code names, and the environmental and infrastructure impacts of proposed data centers. Significant discussion occurred regarding the proposed land use classification ordinance, with plans established for informal community meetings to gather public input. Financial and operational actions included the approval of county invoice payments, surplus property declarations, and the authorization of a cannery boiler replacement. Additionally, the Board authorized EMS billing write-offs and funding transfers for the Barrett Mill Water Line Project. The meeting also included reports on legislative monitoring, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) inspection results, 911 dispatch operations, and a resolution regarding the scheduling of early voting.

The meeting commenced with a determination of quorum and the pledge of allegiance. During citizens time, a visitor expressed support for public forums regarding the new land use classification ordinance and requested that sessions be held on weekends for broader accessibility. The commission then approved the minutes from the February 2nd, 2026 meeting. New business focused on scheduling public forums for the land use classification ordinance discussion, with the first one tentatively set for March 30th at Fort Chiswell High School. Staff detailed the proposed format for these forums, emphasizing public engagement and collection of written feedback, noting that the draft ordinance and maps are available online. Old business included a review of the 2026 meeting dates, noting that the Capital Improvement Plan and bylaws changes were approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 2nd. The commission also reviewed subdivision reports, detailing two family subdivisions (Southern and Mabe properties) and providing updates on engineering projects, including Progress Park connections, a cul-de-sac project at Elite Trinkle, railroad tie replacement at Pugus Park, and ongoing water line installation on Barrett Mill Road, noting delays due to weather and erosion control efforts. Finally, upcoming Board of Supervisors budget presentations for March 16th, 17th, and 18th were announced.