Chamber News

Patrick County Board of Supervisors Meeting - Feb. 14, 2011

The following is a news report on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors meeting held on February 14, 2011 as reported by Tom Bishop, Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce.

Patrick County Board of Supervisors Meeting on February 14, 2011 Budget 2011-2012 Ms. Shough, the County Finance Officer, presented the Budget Books for 2011-2012 to the board, that reflected a budget of $38,969,000. This budget is a balance budget with $539,000 going to the Contingency Fund. The board will have their first review on February 28, starting at 6:00pm. The budget package includes a job description of constitutional officers and reflects the level of State funding revenue for each department. A copy of this budget will be available for public review at the County Library. Memorandum of Understanding-School Board-Town of Stuart The Board agreed to a memorandum of understanding between them, the Patrick County School Board and the Town of Stuart for the expenditure of $367,000 from the Ground Water Contamination Lawsuit for the water line for the High School on a unanimous vote. Before this vote was taken considerable discussion took place concerning the Town of Stuart disclaimer on the 6 inch water line feeding into a 10� inch water line. Committee Assignments The Chairman, Roger Hayden confirmed the following committee assignments: Budget - All members of the board. Personnel -Ron Knight and Karl Weiss Building - Dr. Lock Boyce and Roger Hayden Town & County Liaison - Crystal Harris and Karl Weiss Social Services-Dr. Lock Boyce Planning - Ron Knight 911 Committee - Crystal Harris Economic Development Authority - Karl Weiss Public Service Authority - Ron Knight Step, Inc. - Crystal Harris Work Force Investment Board - Crystal Harris VACO - Legislative - Roger Hayden West Piedmont Planning - Karl Weiss and Dr. Lock Boyce Tourism - Roger Hayden Jail - not active Skate Board Park-Karl Weiss and Dr. Lock Boyce Broadband - Roger Hayden - dissolved Solid Waste- Ron Knight and Karl Weiss Parks and Recreation - Karl Weiss School Board Liaison - Dr. Lock Boyce and Karl Weiss Bills Claims and Appropriations The board voted 4-1 to pay the bills, claims and appropriations with Dr. Boyce voting no. He did not approve of the payment of $49, 435 to Anderson & Associates for engineering on the Mayo River Trail project. Also, review of the bills, generated considerable discussion about the Sheriff Department Vehicle Maintenance account being over budget by $30,000. Board Appointments Felecia Shelor, owner of Poor Farmer’s Market in Meadows of Dan, to the Tourism Advisory Committee, filling a vacancy from the Blue Ridge District. The vote was unanimous. PSA Cross Connection Ordinance-Patrick Spring Water and Sewer Attorney Alan Black will draw up an ordinance to not permit cross connection, which would leave open the possibility of contaminants getting into the water system. This is an important health and safety issue. A draft of the ordinance will be presented to the board at the next meeting for review and the next step is to have public hearing before it is voted on. Further, if a resident wants to keep their well water in service, the city water and well water systems must be segregated. County Gasoline Pump The board decided to use the Commonwealth’s Fleet card system for purchase of gasoline for a trial period of six months. The owned gasoline pump is in need of repairs in the amount of approximately $15,000. The vote was unanimous. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2011-2012 The board reviewed the West Piedmont Planning District Long Range Economic Development Strategy list and approved it on a 4-1 vote with Dr. Boyce voting no. While the list outlines numerous future projects, the county is not voting to do these projects. Developing and maintaining the list is necessary for the county to file for future Federal grants, to fund these projects. Old Sheriff’s Office The board discussed the condition of the offices being vacated by the Sheriff Department and the fact that numerous repairs would have to be made for someone else to make use of it. Consideration would have to be given to rent it or sell it. This item of business will be taken to the Executive Session. Bull Mountain Cell Tower - Emergency Communication The board voted unanimously to allow a new cell phone tower to be erected on Bull Mountain, which the telephone company will put the Emergency Communication equipment for the County Emergency Services and the Sheriff Department at no charge. One condition is that there be no time limit on how long the county equipment can be on this tower. Fairystone Fire Department to Build a New Building Representatives from the Fairystone Fire Department came before the board to request the $149,500 allocation for new capital equipment be used to build a new fire department building with 5 bays and hold 10 vehicles. It would also have an office, training rooms and restrooms. They felt the added space was the best choice for use of the capital expenditure at this time. They own the land, near the old building. They will continue to use the old building for fund raising and community purposes. The board voted unanimously to approve. Additions to the Geographic Information System Interactive GIS, Inc. has prepared a proposal to make additions to the Geographic Information System (GIS) that would cost in the range of $19,000-$23,000. The board decided to table this matter with a unanimous vote, due to the fact the current system is still in the installation and training stage, and that it should be adequate for the moment. Public Comment The following citizens made public comment at the beginning of the meeting: Jack Horton - Mayo River District Walter Mitchell-Dan River District Charles Thomas - Peters Creek District Jo Ann Spangler - Blue Ridge District Discussion items included, the new jail, paving Old Orchard Loop, publishing the minutes of board meetings, lengthy executive sessions exceeding 2 hours, shooting range, windmills, giving contracts with Patrick County businesses. The board concluded the public meeting at 11:05pm and voted to go into Executive Session to consider personnel, real estate and legal matters. Prepared by: Tom Bishop