Board Meeting Notes

At the top of the February 14 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution expressing its appreciation to Steven A. McGraw, upon his retirement after more than 39 years of service. During his tenure of service to Roanoke County, Mr. McGraw served on the Board of Supervisors from 1984 through 1991, serving as Board Chairman in 1985 and 1991 and Board Vice Chairman in 1990. Mr. McGraw served as Clerk of the Circuit Court from January 1992 through his retirement on February 1, 2023.

The Board of Supervisors also recognized Anna Riccio for being selected as the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection’s (RCACP) employee of the year. Each year the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection front-line personnel nominate a team member to receive the Employee of the Year award. For 2022, the Employee of the Year is Anna Riccio who was originally hired through grant funds from the Petco Foundation. Anna was chosen by her peers due to her work to enhance our foster program through engaging social media posts, selecting appropriate fosters, and handling all of the small details that go along with the program. Due to her organizational skills and creativity, Anna has taken an active role in moving animals into loving forever homes and to other rescues. For more information, visit the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection’s (RCACP) website.

Above (left to right): Interim Director of the RCACP Mike Warner, County Administrator Richard Caywood, Anna Riccio, RCACP Director of Operations Melinda Rector, and Board of Supervisors Chair Martha Hooker.

The Board of Supervisors also received a briefing highlighting the current programs underway at the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association from Valerie Brown, the organization’s executive director. For more information, visit the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association website.

Board Actions

In new business, the Board approved a resolution directing the Roanoke County Planning Commission to study and make recommendations regarding potential amendments to Section 30-82-13.1 of the Roanoke County Code. The intent of the ordinance is to facilitate the preservation of viewsheds and conservation areas by allowing (under certain conditions) such areas to be combined with a higher, but more compact level of development. This ordinance has been seldom used in developing neighborhoods in the past, and Board is referring this matter to the Planning Commission for recommendations as to how the ordinance could be reasonably amended to expand its use by developers while preserving its purpose of preserving viewsheds.

First Reading of Ordinances

The Board of Supervisors heard the first reading of an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for the General Operating Revenues and Expenditures by $6,000,000, appropriating $5,000,000 to the County's Capital Fund, and $1,000,000 to the General Government Fund. The second reading of this action and vote for adoption is scheduled for February 28.

The Board of Supervisors also heard the first reading of an ordinance accepting $170,081 from the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) and appropriating such funds, along with a local match of $170,081 to the grant fund; accepting $216,831.85 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and appropriating such funds to the Capital Fund; accepting $100,000 from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and appropriating such funds to the grant fund; and reallocating $396,507.15 from the County Capital Reserves with $217,507.15 going to the grant fund and $179,000 staying within the capital fund; for the purchase of two ambulances for the Fire & Rescue Department and to complete the replacement of firearms for the Police Department. The second reading of this action and vote for adoption is scheduled for February 28.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Supervisors approved the following items under its consent agenda:

• An ordinance accepting and appropriating $250,000 to the fiscal year 2022-2023 Roanoke County Public Schools Capital Fund and re-allocating $65,000 from the Minor Capital Reserves for the Virginia Department of Education Security Equipment Grant (Second Reading).
• Confirmation of appointment to the Roanoke County Board of Building Code Adjustment and Appeals Board (At-Large), and the Roanoke County Social Services Advisory Board (District).

Work Session

After the meeting, the Board of Supervisors moved to a work session to review an Economic Update from Dr. Alice L. Kessens, Roanoke College Professor of Economics. The Board also held a work session with staff to discuss the fiscal year 2023-2024 projected General Government Fund operating budget revenues and review updates to the County of Roanoke Fee Compendium.

For More Information

More information on each of these items, along with the meeting video can be found under the Past Meetings section of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meetings and Videos page.

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