At its annual organizational meeting held at 2:00 PM, the Board of Supervisors selected Marth Hooker (Glenvar Magisterial District) as its 2023 Chair, with Paul Mahoney (Cave Spring Magisterial District) serving as Vice Chair for the year.
Above: (seated, left to right) Jason Peters (Vinton); Vice Chair Paul Mahoney (Cave Spring); Chair Martha Hooker (Glenvar); Phil North (Hollins); David Radford (Windsor Hills)
(standing, left to right) County Attorney Peter Lubeck, Chief Deputy Clerk Deborah Jacks, and County Administrator Richard Caywood.
At the top of the regular meeting at 3:00 PM, the Board of Supervisors expressed its appreciation to Howard B. Hall, Chief of Police, upon his retirement after more than ten (10) years of service. Chief Hall, through his employment with Roanoke County, has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and providing services to the citizens of Roanoke County. He led the Roanoke County Police Department in accomplishing the construction of the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy, implemented data-driven/evidence-based approaches to police operations and collaborated with George Mason University’s Center for Evidenced-Based Crime Policy on two research projects related to response to persons in crisis. During Chief Hall’s tenure, the Police Department worked closely with Roanoke County Public Schools to enhance security, prevention, and response to school incidents, and implemented the Roanoke Regional Drug Unit as a part of the Washington/Baltimore High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Chief Hall also championed improved training, peer support, a Chaplain program and annual wellness checks for officers. Chief Hall was instrumental in the implementation of a step pay plan for sworn personnel to enhance retention and provide a career-long compensation path. Under Chief Hall’s leadership, numerous enhancements to equipment and facilities were made, including a new substation, a mobile command post, and advancements in evidence/hostage negotiations.
Above (left to right): Supervisor Jason Peters, Vice Chair Paul Mahoney, Chair Martha Hooker, retired Police Chief Howard Hall, Supervisor Phil North, Supervisor David Radford, and County Administrator Richard Caywood.
The Board of Supervisors also recognized Assistant Chief of Police Chuck Mason upon his retirement after more than 48 years of service to Roanoke County. Mason began his long career as a dispatcher with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office before moving up the ranks to the position of Deputy Sheriff. Mason made the transition to Roanoke County’s Police Department in 1990, again moving up the ranks until attaining the position of Assistant Chief of Police in 2013. During this time, he oversaw homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and various other major investigations including a homicide and missing juvenile case that traversed the entire country in 2010. He was an academy instructor, and he is an Adjunct Professor at both Ferrum College and Radford University. Assistant Chief Mason’s long-standing and well-developed knowledge in the area of police work especially in complex investigations over the past 48 years has been a great asset to our officers and citizens.
Above (left to right): Supervisor Jason Peters, Vice Chair Paul Mahoney, Chair Martha Hooker, retired Assistant Police Chief Chuck Mason, Supervisor Phil North, and Supervisor David Radford.
After these recognitions, the Board of Supervisors received a briefing about the 2023 real estate assessments. Real estate taxes make up more than 50% of Roanoke County's operating revenue which pays for police, trash collection, Roanoke County Public Schools, Libraries, and all the other services provided to residents. The County of Roanoke conducts an annual assessment on all real property located in the County.
Board Actions
The Board of Supervisors heard the first reading of an ordinance to accept and appropriate Federal Lands Access Program funds in the amount of $800,000 from the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for the Roanoke River Greenway from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Explore Park. The second reading of this ordinance is set for January 24.
The Board also heard the first reading of an ordinance accepting and appropriating Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Grant Funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation in the amount of $70,114 for the East Roanoke River Greenway crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway along Highland Road. The second reading on this action is set for January 24.
After a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors approved a petition by Panda Storage Rentals and Sales to obtain a special use permit for equipment sales and rentals and a special use permit for a mini-warehouse on approximately 4.82 acres located in the 5300 block of West Main Street and the 5400 block of Pleasant Run Drive.
After a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending Article II (Definitions and Use Types), Article III (District Regulations), and Article IV (Use and Design Standards) of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance regarding halfway houses.
The Board of Supervisors also held a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget in accordance with Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2507.
In the Board’s consent agenda, the following items were approved:
- First reading of an ordinance to accept $118,326 from the Commonwealth of Virginia and appropriate such funds for the addition of six (6) full-time equivalents in the Salem/Roanoke County Department of Social Services for the fiscal year 2022-2023. The second reading is set for January 24.
- The second reading and approval of an ordinance appropriating $61,460,835.43 from the Roanoke County Public Schools' fiscal year 2021-2022 year-end funds to the fiscal year 2022-2023 Roanoke County Public Schools' Budget.
- The second reading and approval of an ordinance accepting and appropriating a donation from the Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library in the amount of $25,000 for use by the Roanoke County Library Department.
- Acceptance and allocation of grant funds of $42,564 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for an Emergency Management Performance Grant.
- Acceptance and allocation of funds in the amount of $695.49 to the Clerk of the Circuit Court from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- First reading of an ordinance to accept $350,000 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and appropriating such funds, along with a $350,000 local match, for Phase 2 of the steam Restoration of Wolf Creek. The second reading is set for January 24.
Work Session
The Board of Supervisors held work sessions with staff to discuss the real estate assessment, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and other budget issues.
Closed Session
The Board also held a closed meeting to discuss or consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, where the discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiation strategy of the public body.
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.