[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6308441,"mediaKeyId","2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b","parentId",2422826,"title","Board opens work session on ‘whole home repair’ after residents urge a county-sponsored working group","audioSeconds",893,"startMs",6516000,"endMs",7409000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b&start=6516&end=7409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b/thumbnail_6516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308441/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Board-opens-work-session-on-whole-home-repair-after-residents-urge-a-county-sponsored-working-group","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308441-529e104adcffb910370d50fcbd0e7cea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203157&Signature=DXIBY2wC0JY-Rdl5HK3yn~3GbqvPvkuOW25gpqOMvJrKHXFNDZPEUivrx3oAz8wh6VapZCbFYsR1SLiET8W-MMbp0X63qPea7EPYG0qnS5ez3x6RhFeh4c5usujougT7PmW7LfKb332HkjFV0yZms6m2XtHyVJrkQTquXsaQ5NhuxJ48iL8cC13gURwvmys9vy0uLA9QmKcgYJeL~KECgvVy5-5ZpNMMmckyvzl7Y2TwmqwM1UjRfsF0bheMwBbHxOYui7U8XTPpoZML1kOHAa8gW2QjT2FBx6b6I7E9EfAg6FANgwANljIhNYZmheP-mlmiwifn9KpzJ0DpRP0sEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","montgomeryva","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","Residents and representatives of Virginia Organizing asked the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24 to form a working group to explore whole‑home repair and rehabilitation programs after nearby counties received state funds for housing rehab.

The board moved the item into a work session and heard from staff about how the county currently handles housing complaints and inspection. County staff described the existing process: tenants file a complaint and sign an application granting inspection access; building inspectors document code violations and issue a letter to the property owner with a required response time; owners may appeal within 14 days, and enforcement can proceed up to court if violations are not remedied.

Why residents asked for a group

Speakers representing Virginia Organizing and several residents said many lower‑income homeowners and renters lack resources to complete necessary repairs and that nearby localities (Floyd, Pulaski, Wythe and others) received Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funds for housing rehabilitation. Speakers urged the board to convene a countywide working group to explore how Montgomery County could access similar funding and how to design a local program rather than rely solely on complaint‑driven enforcement.

Legal and operational limits cited by staff

County attorney Marty (last name not specified in the transcript) warned that the county cannot use county tax dollars to directly pay for repairs to for‑profit entities (for‑rent landlords). He and staff noted that some DHCD grants and other state programs are structured for owner‑occupied rehabilitation and that nonprofits often serve as grant recipients or pass‑through entities for such funding. Staff also explained that Department of Social Services intake can refer individuals to community partners (Community Housing Partners, Community Action, Habitat for Humanity and civic groups) and that those partners have historically helped with weatherization and targeted repairs.

Board direction and follow up requested

Supervisors asked staff to research state DHCD programs, grant paths used by neighboring counties, the role of nonprofit partners, and what could be done for renters versus owner‑occupants. The board asked staff to return with options and to consider convening a working group that includes community representatives, nonprofits and county staff. Some supervisors recommended beginning with staff‑level coordination (county and town administrators) before a larger elected‑body meeting.

Ending

Board members did not adopt a program that night but directed staff to gather more information on eligible DHCD funding, potential nonprofit partners and existing county referral pathways; staff was asked to report back so the board can decide whether to form a formal work group.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Meeting 2-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and Virginia Organizing urged the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors to form a working group to explore whole‑home repair programs; staff explained the county’s complaint‑based property‑maintenance enforcement and legal limits on direct payments to landlords.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Virginia","taxId",4263,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308446,"Montgomery County schools propose $146M budget; superintendent asks county for $6.6M and free meals for all students",930,936000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b&start=936&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b/thumbnail_936000.jpg","/articles/6308446/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Montgomery-County-schools-propose-146M-budget-superintendent-asks-county-for-66M-and-free-meals-for-all-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308446-904d38ed851ee874ddfd5b46b3aabc52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203157&Signature=dKwh5LBHKYwtPfP6orALnIiNDQbboCeDZDBom1WtPncKu-qH28Fbv1Y6dtSijtxwFFqderXb1i0w~qfuczwHc9uQrKXb4Gi1mp99hhAaR9WK6cwKWQcB~t1c23~SJhnfLZQ4w-sTdjxEo2Uo1FPmLIs4gDJ3NV6undwgjJ-iTSn0tO4Vm88bFlAWljwVkLF380AOluH8LhNzLqJXsYEQO80EmpNFWcXT6ZnxYlzw5DeVujeA4-HMrWJF3MrU5~EEnB4OQUWTk7aMO1M~eYdCWOCHw4jPliJMvmc0c16FD5c~LPqB0H2sTJPvPQIMt99Q-szoGUkWfB5ghyvnPE4nfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bragan presented the school division’s proposed fiscal 2025–26 operating budget to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24, asking the county for roughly $6.6 million in additional revenue and outlining personnel and program priorities.

Dr. Bragan told the board “the focus is always on the children” while reviewing proposed investments that include a districtwide 3% salary increase for all employees and a plan to compress long salary guides so employees reach maximum pay sooner. He said the district is proposing compression of some guides from as long as 36 years to a shorter schedule and that the 3% raise aligns with the state biennial budget raise for Standards of Quality (SOQ) positions.

The nut graf: The school division said the requested county contribution — about $6.6 million — would cover pay changes and new positions aimed at meeting state requirements and district needs, and would allow the board to pilot programs and expand services (including county funding that would enable free breakfast and lunch for all students).

Key budget items presented

- Compensation: a 3% across‑the‑board raise for all employees and salary‑guide compression to shorten time-to-maximum pay.
- Minimum hourly target: an effort to make the lowest‑paid employees earn at least $16 per hour, noted Dr. Bragan as part of recruitment/retention efforts.
- Personnel additions and changes: the presentation listed roughly $1.6 million in additional personnel costs and about $4.0 million for the 3% pay increase. Specific hires proposed included additional multiple‑language‑learner teachers, one gifted-and‑talented teacher, two 504 coordinators, two additional school nurses at the district’s two largest high schools, four custodial positions and an “administrator of fine arts.” The division also proposed expanding the continuum of special-education services after an internal and third‑party review.
- Programs and safety: a proposed dual‑language immersion pilot at Prices Fork Elementary School; four school security officers working with the sheriff and local police departments; modest increases in training and professional development, including for new classroom techniques and technology.
- School nutrition: the school board signaled it wants free breakfast and lunch for all students. The presentation showed the school nutrition program budget roughly $6.0 million, and the county share to make meals free for all students estimated at about $1.2 million.

Budget context and fund balances

Dr. Bragan and CFO Angie Bland explained fund‑balance and carryover items from FY24 that affect available operating funds. The packet showed an operating fund figure the superintendent described as approximately $146,000,000 for the division. They said prior‑year unspent and encumbered funds included textbook orders not yet invoiced, multi‑year tutoring allocations (state funds spread over three years), and unspent federal ESSER funds. The superintendent said that after closing FY24 the division placed roughly $780,000 into a health reserve and that about $740,000 in additional Medicaid receipts were required to be applied to special‑education instructional funds.

Enrollment and staffing trends

Dr. Bragan said elementary enrollment is slightly declining; he said current average elementary class size across the county is under 18 students and projected pupil‑to‑teacher ratios would drop (he cited a current elementary ratio about 17.84 this year and a projected 15.26 next year if teacher counts remain unchanged). He referenced a demographic study forecasting enrollment to decline and then level, without identifying a firm long‑term number.

Federal and state funding risks

Board members pressed staff on whether adopting universal free meals at the county level could affect federal nutrition reimbursement or other federal funds. Dr. Bragan said school nutrition staff had contacted state and federal officials and did not expect federal reimbursements to be lost but acknowledged the board would not adopt any change that risked removing federal aid. Supervisors also asked staff to provide detailed counts and per‑student estimates for the proposed universal meals program and to clarify what additional students would be served by the county’s $1.2 million share.

Board process and next steps

Supervisors asked for follow‑up information and scheduled further discussion at a joint meeting March 17. Multiple supervisors requested more detailed breakdowns of fund‑balance items, the mechanics of proposed salary‑guide compression, bus and transportation cost drivers from prior years, and a per‑student cost estimate for universal meals. The superintendent and CFO committed to return with the requested clarifications.

Ending

The presentation concluded with an agreement to continue conversations: the board deferred budget decisions while requesting additional detail on the county request, federal funding risk, and enrollment and staffing projections that will inform the county’s FY26 appropriation decisions.","Superintendent presented the Montgomery County Public Schools proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget, highlighting a 3% pay raise request for all employees, salary compression, added special-education supports and a county request of about $6.6 million that would include $1.2 million for free meals for all students.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308431,"Votes at a glance: Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Feb. 24, 2025",4758,3492000,8250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b&start=3492&end=8250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b/thumbnail_3492000.jpg","/articles/6308431/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Montgomery-County-Board-of-Supervisors-Feb-24-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308431-d14f972ac198ad5b10883e9d29489d8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203157&Signature=FuNgEoyagRR79wD6AFiXEUgDQXsStRUzy~YKWDcPhhv7C92PwxzEmTnSQbO8sJwpNmhSF3Ht6jP8AwFyO-0Z3uwFCQkXRZdz9m0YjJRwCrx~wThwOaXTN9xx17h4rKu6nInbV7nnssp1ykF2ussDmKJPWnPbgRtnfARiIMQkneE-kTFEq6dyfHzqCI4K2M10tHP-51dtcJsbtuo2kLvkrM2iCaf08lcFj80gSt8x-aUCw4E5SwPT7HvAEPmykR3ha~iwQoR8BIEldfyIMwwLvsz3vlI-eo8y~PuG-RBQK59ZmAlVcO~p~zvPobvtX6Kh1SW4jZ0ZSh3uQ2~mNd9EXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors recorded the following formal votes on Feb. 24, 2025. Numbers and outcomes below are taken from roll calls during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Boundary adjustment agreement with the Town of Christiansburg (RWW 4 LLC / Roger Woody): Approved, 7–0. The change would move approximately 1.084 acres into the town to allow a single, unified residential development; county staff said the county would not lose revenue on the request.

- Sheriff’s Office EMT cross‑training (training funds): Approved, 7–0. The board approved a $12,600 request to cross‑train deputies in EMT skills.

- Resolution naming the new Reiner Community County Park “Teal Park” (in honor of the Teal family): Approved, 7–0. The board read and adopted a resolution recognizing the Teal family’s contribution to the Reiner community.

- 2025 remote participation policy (annual adoption required): Approved, 7–0. The board adopted its annual remote participation policy as required.

- Board of supervisors annual compensation increase (effective Jan. 1, 2026): Approved, 6–1. The board adopted a compensation increase for supervisors; staff said the full‑year impact is under $50,000 and would not require a tax‑rate increase. (One supervisor voted no.)

Notes and context

- The boundary adjustment had no public speakers other than the applicant’s representative, who offered to answer questions.
- The Teal Park naming vote followed staff remarks about the family’s land donation and the park’s upcoming phased opening; staff said some amenities will open in March with a larger event later in the summer.
- The compensation vote drew public comment earlier in the meeting from several residents opposed to a sizable increase; the board took the final vote during the meeting’s consent/new business sequence.

Ending

Several items approved at the meeting carry implementation tasks for county staff (e.g., contracting training for deputies, coordinating the park opening, and processing the boundary adjustment); staff will proceed according to the adopted motions and applicable codes.","Summary of formal votes taken at the Feb. 24 meeting, including boundary adjustment, sheriff EMT training, park naming, remote participation policy and board compensation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308437,"Montgomery County moves forward with due diligence and option to buy 305 Roanoke Street after receiving private appraisal",459,8352000,8811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b&start=8352&end=8811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422826-7a93a4621130d6a8a0e1578cb4ccfa2b/thumbnail_8352000.jpg","/articles/6308437/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Montgomery-County-moves-forward-with-due-diligence-and-option-to-buy-305-Roanoke-Street-after-receiving-private-appraisal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308437-df72a751ed5811f5695be89f4389b983/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203157&Signature=Ft3wyIXAOX-dA8rh-5SM7QmggDlkQX-Q1YeNzO5uLJHSUMGMTPRFpOw8j~fEkH1-DelONoBtT6JjhCy9Fwws-VplcAFG~cn0C-qAkn7QpKQ5-oRkKtWmfwzLuG-4juRXY2qHGuolkUE9fhZM7x3t-uNU6Bq~EL4XLZmrafESaNyEhRZyvmOJwLeOS-TQxdML6MiaRMmaugvaXR5TWGhS3s8NkG7riSr-SR6eZoH95wcZ8yjUhCkTm~dfuJmKjaw66tuAxYk2iCVml5KrchQGSel0Gx~zFs1ntRhNBVMzliZswv3nzrWY7ybsaSPz~QcwBT6hQme7tI0gTuq3E-qoxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to an option agreement and related appropriations on Feb. 24 to proceed with a purchase process for the property at 305 Roanoke Street.

County staff said they solicited a private‑party appraisal during due diligence and that the county’s proposed purchase price falls within the appraisal range. The board voted on related items in sequence: first an amendment to the option agreement extending the option and adjusting the purchase terms (6–1), then an appropriation related to the building (6–1), and finally approval of the option agreement to purchase (6–1).

Public comments and questions

Multiple members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public comment period challenging the transaction’s price relative to the county assessed value. Speakers cited an assessment listed on the county website and public sales in recent years, and asked why the county would proceed at a level above the most recent assessed value. Citizens also asked why no public hearing had been held on the purchase; county staff and the county attorney explained that a public hearing is required when the county is selling property but not when it is buying property, and no board member requested a hearing in advance.

County response and next steps

County staff reiterated that a blind private appraisal was obtained as part of due diligence and confirmed the county’s offer was within the appraiser’s valuation range. The board did not set a public hearing; supervisors who opposed the measures cited taxpayer concerns. County staff and the county attorney indicated the building will be used to provide administrative offices for the newly formed Career Department of Fire and EMS, and not as offices for the board.

Ending

With three separate board votes passing by 6–1, the county proceeded to complete due diligence and to move forward under the amended option agreement; the county will finalize purchase steps in accordance with the option and the appraisal.","After public comment questioning the price, the board approved an amended option agreement, an appropriation and the final option to purchase a Roanoke Street property; board members said a private appraisal placed the county’s offer within an acceptable market range.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board opens work session on ‘whole home repair’ after residents urge a county-sponsored working group

Montgomery County schools propose $146M budget; superintendent asks county for $6.6M and free meals for all students

Votes at a glance: Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Feb. 24, 2025

Montgomery County moves forward with due diligence and option to buy 305 Roanoke Street after receiving private appraisal