Board Meeting Notes

See more information about the items below by viewing the October 8, 2024, Board of Supervisors Meeting video.

At the top of today’s meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation expressing the appreciation of the County of Roanoke, Virginia to its Sister City, Opole, Poland, for thirty years of its Sister City relationship. Roanoke County, Virginia welcomed Mr. Arkadiusz Wisniewski, Mayor of Opole; Mr. Maciej Wujec, Deputy Mayor of Opole; Mr. Lukasz Sowada, Councillor (former Chairman of Opole City Council); Mr. Lukasz Smierciak, Director of the Department of Promotion; and Mr. Maciej Wróbel, Department of Culture, Tourism and International Cooperation. The Opole delegation will be touring sites across the Roanoke Valley this week and will visit several County departments to learn more about how we strive to deliver best-in-class services to our citizens.

Coordination of this year’s visit has been a collaborative partnership with the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities organization.

The beginnings of cooperation between Opole and Roanoke County date back to 1993, as the "Manager to Manager" program through the Association of Local Government Managers in Virginia. The program consisted of the exchange of experiences between representatives of local governments during visits to Opole and Roanoke County. Thanks to this, Opole officials were able to familiarize themselves with, among other things, the structure of American local governments, economic development strategies, urban infrastructure and promotion methods, and then try to transfer some of these strategies to their home community. The "Manager to Manager" program resulted in the signing of the "Agreement on Establishing Friendly Contacts and Cooperation Between the City of Opole and Roanoke County" on November 30, 1994.

Overall, our Sister City relationship with Opole has allowed both communities the opportunity to gain new perspectives and insights into the inner workings of a local government in a different country.

From left to right: Supervisor David Radford, Maciej Wróbel, Department of Culture, Tourism and International Cooperation, Vice Chair Martha Hooker, Opole Deputy Mayor Maciej Wujec, Chairman Phil North, County Administrator Richard Caywood, Opole Mayor Arkadiusz Wisniewski, Supervisor Paul Mahoney, Opole Councillor Lukasz Sowada, Director of the Department of Promotion Lukasz Smierciak, Supervisor Tammy Shepherd, Kristina Bulas-Slowikowski, MD, Opole Sister City Committee Chair, and Roanoke Valley Sister Cities President Mary Jo Fassié.

The Board of Supervisors also approved a proclamation declaring October 20-26, 2024, as Red Ribbon Week in the County of Roanoke. Citizens of the Roanoke Valley will be asked to take a stand against drug use and risky behaviors through the observance of Red Ribbon Week. Adam Neal, Director, Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition received the proclamation at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

 Above: Director of Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) Adam Neal (right) received the proclamation from Chairman Phil North (left).

In new business, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution of support for kidney transplant services provided by Carilion Clinic at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The Board of Supervisors also heard the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 21 (Taxation), Article III (Real Estate Taxes), Division 3 (Exemption for Elderly and Disabled Persons) of the Roanoke County code. It is proposed that Chapter 21 (Taxation), Article III (Real Estate Taxes), Division 3 (Exemption for Elderly and Disabled Persons) of the Roanoke County Code be amended in order to expand the eligibility for such tax benefits by increasing taxpayers' allowable income limit. Other minor amendments to the code have also been proposed, which 1) clarify the documents that must be submitted to the Treasurer when submitting applications for the exemption 2) expand the application period for tax application period for elderly and disabled taxpayers (now allowing applications to be submitted as early as January instead of February of each year), and 3) deleting the deadline for applications for tax relief for disabled veterans, insofar as such a deadline is in conflict with the provisions of Section 58.1-3219.5 of the Code of Virginia (which states that a disabled veteran becomes eligible for such tax relief upon receiving a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs). A second reading of this measure is scheduled for October 22.

The Board of Supervisors heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $75,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds of the County of Roanoke, Virginia, and providing for the form and details thereof. The second reading of this measure is scheduled for October 22.

The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and to receive citizen comments regarding the refinancing of lease transactions that originally financed various capital projects for the county and authorizing the continued leasing of certain county-owned property, the execution and delivery of prime leases and local lease acquisition agreement and financing leases, and other related actions in accordance with Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2606.

During the Board Members’ weekly reports, Windsor Hills Supervisor David Radford recognized Board Chairman Phil North for receiving the 2024 Gordon N. Dixon Award from the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC). Chairman North was presented the award at a recent meeting of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC), of which Mr. North is a member. The Dixon Award recognizes an executive director, VAPDC commissioner, or PDC commissioner who has provided leadership and made outstanding contributions to promote the concept of regionalism in Virginia.

Above: Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil North with the 2024 Gordon N. Dixon Award he received from the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Supervisors approved the measures below in the form of one resolution under its consent agenda.

• Approval of minutes – September 24, 2024;
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the granting of new public drainage easements to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, on property owned by the following: 1) Kerry L. Hall (Tax Map 036.20-01-02.00), located at 2731 Tully Drive; 2) Robert W. & Patrica A. Martin (Tax Map # 036.20-01-03.00), located at 2737 Tully Drive; and 3) Michael R. & Linda M. Walker (Tax Map # 036.20-01-04.00), located at 2801 Neil Drive in Catawba Magisterial District for the purpose of constructing drainage improvements. (First Reading and Request for Second Reading);
• Approval of an ordinance approving a Second Site Use Agreement between Craig Botetourt Electric Cooperative and the County of Roanoke for use of space in a shelter and on a tower located on Fort Lewis Mountain and accepting and appropriating $6,000.00 per year for the term of the agreement. (Second Reading);
• Approval of an ordinance authorizing the granting of new public drainage easements to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, on property owned by the following: 1) David L. Bratton (Tax Map 079.01-01-62.00-0000), located at 3006  Pebble Drive; 2) Leonard  W. & Rebecca  G. Stiff (Tax Map  079.01-01-63.00-0000), located at 3012 Pebble Drive; 3) Roy M. Carpenter (Tax Map 079.01-01-61.00- 0000), located at 3017 Woodway Rd; and 4) Alice B. Kefauver (Tax Map 079.01- 01-64.00-0000), located at 3020 Pebble Drive in Vinton Magisterial District for the purpose of constructing drainage improvements in various magisterial districts. (Second Reading);
• Approval of a request to approve the Board of Supervisors budget development calendar for fiscal year 2025-2026;
• Approval of a resolution accepting and approving recommended changes to the Comprehensive Financial Policy;
• First reading of an ordinance to accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $455,452 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs for the Aid to Localities Funds (VDFP). (First Reading and Request for Second Reading);
• Approval of a resolution to Support the Virginia America 250 Commission;
• Approval of an ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Roanoke, Virginia approving the refinancing of lease transactions that originally financed various capital projects for the County and authorizing the continued leasing of certain County-owned property, the execution and delivery of prime leases and local lease acquisition agreement and financing leases, and other related actions. (Second Reading);
• First reading of a resolution authorizing the County of Roanoke to enter a memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Vinton, for the County of Roanoke to act as the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program (VESMP) Authority for the Town of Vinton. (First Reading and Request for Second Reading).

Work Session

The Board of Supervisors moved to a work session with staff to receive updates on the status of broadband projects within Roanoke County.

Closed Session

The Board of Supervisors held a closed meeting as follows: Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) of the Code of Virginia, for discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. Specifically, the Board will discuss potential business location or expansion in each of the five magisterial districts.

For More Information...

More information on these items and the meeting video can be found under the Past Meetings section of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meetings and Videos page. You may also contact the Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board at 540-772-2005 for more information.