[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6282188,"mediaKeyId","2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3","parentId",2598065,"title","VDOT reports storm cleanup, Dry Run repairs and schedules six‑year plan public hearing for May","audioSeconds",218,"startMs",944000,"endMs",1162000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3&start=944&end=1162","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3/thumbnail_944000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6282188/Montgomery-County/Virginia/VDOT-reports-storm-cleanup-Dry-Run-repairs-and-schedules-sixyear-plan-public-hearing-for-May","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282188-482563122daf83751787acfa195b06df/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598072&Signature=bgzsgf9b~oqH15GogjmUOFunHrJ6sZOzu2rr3DrulVKBNcEeyxLdckjzN4pojbUFbJqV8Pp12y36aam6QbyY4uOAByBSWNaLxFvAqzFtWirdKuY2I6Yrf2aQNVKqoEnd4iGdqt-cKX5TMc6KBa~PfLGuGfzbPPZPZklOGdf0HisVxTFptQFVoKnpI1DALkXkg41kyRlmnAemXr5yp0xNtJjHilWctsd9q3k9kwq8S8aPzTu4y1YsPMzj5bPa3~mHJhxMKgp~1omG-eA8MlIhwlsxuZDwQ423YmheentuWJeYFeUlgPNdX0MFSjtPlzt99dhDCxCcOJvyuhP1lMekCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery, VA","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","David Clark of the Virginia Department of Transportation briefed the Board of Supervisors on storm cleanup, pothole season and localized flood damage affecting Montgomery County.

Clark said the recent severe weather produced a range of damage across the four counties he covers: ice and downed trees in the southern part of Montgomery County, heavy rain and flash flooding in the northern area, and multiple washouts on Dry Run where a creek crosses the gravel road multiple times. He described hauling heavy stone, renting trucks and using crews to restore crossings and regrade the roadway. \"That creek, crosses it probably 6 or 7 times. And so every single crossing just pretty much got blown out,\" Clark said.

Clark said crews focused on keeping Route 11 and other roads open during the ice event and that this is the start of pothole season; supervisors raised specific pothole concerns on Pilot Road and Stanley Road. Clark also reported that Brush Mountain Estates (Evergreen Trail and Buck Mountain Ridge) is slated for VDOT maintenance jurisdiction after a county punch list and final inspection are completed.

Clark said he had been working with county staff on scheduling a public hearing for VDOT's six‑year plan in May and that staff would like the board to adopt the plan at one of the June meetings so it can be finalized before the end of the fiscal year. Supervisors repeatedly thanked VDOT crews for storm response and roadwork.

Nut Graf: The VDOT update explained short‑term recovery from recent storms, identified specific repair locations such as Dry Run and announced a May public hearing on the agency’s six‑year plan with a target for board adoption in June. Supervisors used the update to surface specific roadway concerns and to coordinate a county road tour before the hearing.

Clark closed by offering to arrange a ride‑around for board members to review conditions ahead of the six‑year plan public hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Meeting 3-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Virginia Department of Transportation representative told the Board that crews have spent recent weeks repairing storm damage across the district, have materially reconstructed washouts on Dry Run, and that a six‑year plan public hearing will be held in May with adoption aimed for a June meeting.","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},6282193,"County appropriates grant funds for Falling Branch Corporate Park Phase 2, Lot 2; VDOT investment deadline noted",188,4868000,5056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3&start=4868&end=5056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3/thumbnail_4868000.jpg","/articles/6282193/Montgomery-County/Virginia/County-appropriates-grant-funds-for-Falling-Branch-Corporate-Park-Phase-2-Lot-2-VDOT-investment-deadline-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282193-2bbd093af030e6a77b4b3b3f0f5a5b91/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598072&Signature=Tn2hVbrvMOB07KIQx3ocSjUs74E4zREz2Nr82HLtdr3Vw94w3aiy6~jx-E0n~jKPi~x591OHjOck1oWYpEFxHkuG71ECAUn8NO~E4VdLlAY~h7ARoT1gAAvr78lgqDIFkIudhgBLHgAati3ZXDVASuW4PGvBy2t0YzAkcwUGgqu-7yVocb8TJsFXh-ffWxUDdYNiod5pxJFLoZX1bJlbZwQcbO8JdNhOo4nEkuwcYodFA1Fu9dpS0nZdsa0Yz6ssUuDXTbIi9bGVuIuA~octCfVHvNpXnmxuS78MqLQ~8yRSZLRvgxE~1wqQe4oGDtmjEN~IgP75e9PL0MZ82Bbvgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved an appropriation of grant funds for Falling Branch Corporate Park Phase 2, Lot 2 on March 10.

County Administrator Angie Hill told the board that VDOT economic‑development funds tied to the Falling Branch project require the county to show $3,400,000 of investment by April 2028. Hill said the county already has funds appropriated in its capital improvement plan for Falling Branch and that there are other land‑purchase funds that could be used if needed. She said the VDOT payback schedule is phased, not all due at once, if the investment requirement is not met.

A board member confirmed the Town of Christiansburg provided $300,000 in matching funds toward road construction for the project. The clerk recorded the roll call and the appropriation passed with seven ayes.

Nut Graf: The appropriation commits previously awarded or received grant/CIP funds to the Falling Branch lot and records a requirement from VDOT that a defined level of investment be achieved by April 2028. County staff said contingency funding and phased payback provisions exist if the investment threshold is not reached.

Staff will proceed with the appropriation and monitor the project timeline to meet the VDOT investment condition.","The board approved appropriation of grant funds for Falling Branch Corporate Park Phase 2, Lot 2 and noted a VDOT condition requiring $3.4 million in investment by April 2028; the Town of Christiansburg contributed $300,000 for road construction and the board passed the appropriation by roll call.",{"_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},6282198,"Board approves just‑over $1 million MCPS capital transfer to finance above‑ground fuel tanks; schools cite potential $200k–$400k annual savings",412,3976000,4388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3&start=3976&end=4388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3/thumbnail_3976000.jpg","/articles/6282198/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Board-approves-justover-1-million-MCPS-capital-transfer-to-finance-aboveground-fuel-tanks-schools-cite-potential-200k400k-annual-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282198-e66e8c0c8fb5e08849755f33f9ca97e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598072&Signature=Z-nP1oVUUoIO8vOVtoUL21~mLRmGIML9NziZ~hKfk2El5LcNiHQeCZPek53ZxkKJBjvQUqm9ADt~338WrnaCw88JQgca9lmZnnJZZUWDXYO2Bq8-eDRlshMO3b9IKCdmLYpEuOFNlV4qlrtiEkzrkMFsUe1wlQUGOD48X9UlZklNdO9S15oFiDWK3~5rt5IU7UVFYinsyizfsOk0Vr8wUp0cPPs9IweIEhbawutg-Ij9b0vNgZaTtfqwnQQExT8PV1AGuGjsW7gNOPZJHaaSBx2wRkzXA62cZSTByaDq0CePh4DEG3WlR599IA-fq4zYUFOao3aBEAZ6m~jn2AQlrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on March 10 approved a capital‑funds transfer for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) totaling just over $1 million to support specific school capital projects, including a project to install above‑ground fuel storage tanks for district vehicles.

School officials told the board the diesel and gasoline purchase project would install four 10,000‑gallon above‑ground diesel tanks and one gasoline tank at four locations: Price’s Fork Elementary (Blacksburg), Eastern Montgomery High School, the county operations center in Christiansburg (which would also house the gasoline tank), and Auburn High School. School staff said the capital cost estimate that came back from a November RFP placed the tank project ‘‘just under $900,000’’ and that the district spends about $1 million a year on fuel under the current system.

A school representative said bulk purchasing and centralized tanks could reduce annual fuel spending by an estimated $200,000–$400,000 depending on market prices and logistics. The schools acknowledged logistical changes for bus drivers and vehicle operators, who now fuel at retail stations, and said they will pursue cooperative buying with other regional divisions where possible.

Supervisors asked clarifying questions about timeline, safety and compliance. School staff said the tanks are above ground, double‑walled and would meet Department of Environmental Quality and other regulatory requirements; security measures (bollards, gates) were referenced. The schools said they had discussed the concept previously at joint liaison meetings and that the school board had approved the request prior to the county vote.

The county clerk recorded the roll call for the appropriation as affirmative; the motion passed with seven ayes.

Nut Graf: The capital appropriation funds a school proposal to centralize fuel storage and purchasing. School officials project that centralized bulk purchases could yield meaningful annual savings, but the project requires upfront capital and operational changes for staff and bus routes. Supervisors asked staff to follow implementation and safety requirements before installation.

The schools and county staff said installation could occur in summer months if the appropriation and contracting proceed on schedule.","The Board voted to appropriate MCPS capital funds — just over $1 million — to advance several school capital projects, the largest a roughly $900,000 contract for four 10,000‑gallon diesel tanks and one gasoline tank at four school/operations locations; school staff said bulk purchasing could reduce fuel costs substantially.",{"_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},6282203,"Board agrees to send letter urging Congress to preserve Medicaid directed payment funding",542,3371000,3913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3&start=3371&end=3913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3/thumbnail_3371000.jpg","/articles/6282203/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Board-agrees-to-send-letter-urging-Congress-to-preserve-Medicaid-directed-payment-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282203-ce283f08222549438be6bc6728c76019/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598072&Signature=W7hJEvMQbtjhsnouDOhVQYM-DQ2CIRxV0z~jZ0ltjx3cL6R7RZ0mmxfxE76LVN5XKGvJpbUr1PGpQ4TgHEyyl3HjjWK8HoRkMSiqZD~jvSnG~Y5bDDsh4U9V4guBY6iQvRoxh8hOSpPmU32G9PVcYqL3pwpF0k1kVZQ2lpIhjRdtwAZuVXneu6tWSrMym0Th9R7A7Nr3T-spNsAVZZQh7Y3mEfj1iiE9mQokMnRDgxc8WYHiqDOHPEQhAGm~C70gLzmotR7joHBc~i55RPqK6fb-JPv~K4qBV9e8vX5a5I00zQACPWtaO5FKvzIXw9PdgXSLfCkM7fQeBQbeJu-~7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supervisor Mary Biggs introduced a proposed letter of support asking Congress to protect federal funding for state‑directed Medicaid payments. A Carilion representative, identified in the meeting as Mr. Flattery, explained why the hospital system and regional health providers view the program as critical to local patient care funding.

Mr. Flattery told the board that Medicaid generally does not cover the full costs hospitals bear for care and that states and the federal government share Medicaid funding. He said the letter comes from the Virginia Hospital Association and that local health systems asked municipalities to adopt similar letters to urge congressional representatives to preserve funding during the federal budget negotiations, which include large discretionary cuts under discussion.

Board members asked clarifying questions about whether proposed federal cuts would necessarily hit Medicaid and whether the letter should go to both the U.S. representative and the two U.S. senators. Mr. Flattery described the action as a preemptive request for advocacy while the federal budget total remains uncertain.

The board voted to enter a work session to consider the item (roll call recorded in the minutes as seven ayes). After discussion in the work session, the board indicated unanimous support by voice/show of hands to send the letter and asked staff to direct it to the county’s U.S. representative and both U.S. senators.

Nut Graf: The letter seeks congressional protection of the Medicaid directed payments mechanism that helps channel state and federal funds to hospitals and safety‑net providers. County officials said the request is time‑sensitive because federal budget negotiations could affect Medicaid funding levels that support local hospitals, including the New River Valley Medical Center.

The board did not adopt a binding resolution; staff will prepare and transmit a letter of support to federal lawmakers on behalf of the board.","In a work session the Board of Supervisors voiced unanimous support to send a letter — proposed by the Virginia Hospital Association and presented by a Carilion representative — asking federal lawmakers to protect Medicaid directed payment funding amid uncertainty in upcoming federal budget negotiations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6282207,"Montgomery County proposes $268.6 million FY26 budget, holds real‑estate tax rate at $0.75",1836,1460000,3296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3&start=1460&end=3296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2598065-c08782108e333c7f76ee14e1e1eb76d3/thumbnail_1460000.jpg","/articles/6282207/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Montgomery-County-proposes-2686-million-FY26-budget-holds-realestate-tax-rate-at-075","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282207-34394865e080809fb70ae17a87c283e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598072&Signature=V1~tEWr-hl1N0tbwCNAj3icDaIFwb52KAKAzcb6ULxblze77dBkD7~0GfGd7yEqtA0Hu~Eck4dTlvBITI6UO6ZMmJGt1Yj7LHWgTwm-rKxHYCuhUMOh7-TnGrVfStaeIFXRzhIZxYK-~5UWKdQ1Ry6i7mDXx9kJM48CmRPaOKVMs9ZVS9rGHtx-Hx-1bUJbENCoVxfk0A8yQBGV8bAfveD~AJyK4dAjNY9l9t7-hh0G3jlSuwH8YTj0-BVERUoaHPLkV-0AACxLN9MmAnis9Er-P5egUSO-78SuZ7~OfDJoU8obHqg6trTEZcjC5fKp1WrxXNGHogAW5BozvMWrhYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Angie Hill presented the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget on March 10, proposing a $268,600,000 all‑funds budget and recommending the real‑estate tax rate remain at 75¢ per $100 of assessed value.

Hill told the Board of Supervisors the county and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) worked together over the year to reflect county priorities in the budget and that public safety needs — including more career fire and emergency medical services staffing — have increased demand on county resources while the schools continue to receive the largest share of spending.

The proposal maintains more than two‑thirds of the total budget for schools: Hill said 67% of the total budget would be allocated to schools, 11% to public safety and 22% to other county functions. She also reported the total budget increased by about $14,000,000 from the prior year and that the county’s estimate of new, undesignated resources rose after an updated state funding calculation for schools.

Director of Management and Budget Mark McGruder walked the board through budget mechanics and key numeric changes, explaining the budget is built from a base budget target and addenda requests. McGruder said county divisions requested roughly $8.5 million in new county funding, and schools requested about $6.6 million in new funding. Estimated undesignated new revenue presented initially was about $7.7 million, producing a projected shortfall of about $7.4 million before the updated school funding numbers.

Hill said the State Department of Education released an updated funding calculation tool after the county printed its budget document. MCPS’s state revenue estimate rose by roughly $1,000,000 — from about $5.4 million to $6.4 million — which McGruder showed would increase total new resources for FY26 to about $12.3 million when combined with county new resources.

The proposed budget contains addenda that the presentation itemized: increases to the transfer for school operations (about $2.7 million), position changes and reclassifications in public safety (about $1.3 million), reclassifications and new county positions (about $600,000), a 3% compensation pool (roughly $1.2 million), increased per‑diem funding for the Western Virginia Regional Jail (just over $500,000), a transfer to capital for asset replacement (about $1.3 million), and other operating and technology increases. Hill said some previously approved FY25 items — including the annualization of career firefighters and deputy positions — had carried forward into the FY26 base.

The budget also proposes accounting and control changes: McGruder detailed a move from a cash‑basis accounting method to a modified‑accrual basis for budgetary and internal accounting, which he said would better align the budget with audited financial reports and reduce year‑end carryover requests when purchases occur in June but are paid after fiscal year end.

Hill and McGruder described personnel changes included in the proposal: 22 new full‑time equivalents (FTEs) listed as addenda plus 9.4 off‑cycle FTEs added in FY25, yielding a net increase of 31.4 FTEs in the base and addenda combined. New positions called out included firefighters to support expanded 24‑hour coverage in eastern Montgomery, a benefit coordinator in human resources, information security staff, a building inspector and groundskeepers in general services, library associates, and parks maintenance workers for newly added facilities.

Hill closed by asking board members to email follow‑up questions; she scheduled a joint budget meeting with MCPS for March 17 and said the board should plan to adopt the six‑year plan in June if the public hearing is held in May.

Nut Graf: The FY26 proposal keeps the county’s real‑estate tax rate steady while responding to increased public‑safety staffing needs and reflecting a late state funding update for schools that boosts available resources. The change to modified‑accrual accounting and new capital and personnel investments are designed to reduce operational carryover and address maintenance and service needs across county functions.

The presentation did not include a formal board vote on the budget; Hill and McGruder asked board members to submit questions ahead of the March 17 joint session with the schools and signaled intent to finalize adoption by a June meeting.","County Administrator Angie Hill presented a $268.6 million proposed FY2026 budget that keeps the real‑estate tax rate at 75¢ per $100 of assessed value, shifts more resources to public safety while continuing to allocate about two‑thirds of the budget to schools, and proposes a change to modified‑accrual accounting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

VDOT reports storm cleanup, Dry Run repairs and schedules six‑year plan public hearing for May

County appropriates grant funds for Falling Branch Corporate Park Phase 2, Lot 2; VDOT investment deadline noted

Board approves just‑over $1 million MCPS capital transfer to finance above‑ground fuel tanks; schools cite potential $200k–$400k annual savings

Board agrees to send letter urging Congress to preserve Medicaid directed payment funding

Montgomery County proposes $268.6 million FY26 budget, holds real‑estate tax rate at $0.75