[{"_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",6067627,"mediaKeyId","3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e","parentId",3124006,"title","Fire and EMS representative urges supervisors to increase agency funding","audioSeconds",91,"startMs",834000,"endMs",925000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e&start=834&end=925","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e/thumbnail_834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6067627/Washington-County/Virginia/Fire-and-EMS-representative-urges-supervisors-to-increase-agency-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067627-50bcc67c312e0c1941e6351707da800c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837931&Signature=jA0or4V551AwrFN3HKfNbIDwmJRqQTjHrHozrP8vWf~G3kgxENRDPKVbc8R~pQXMfylAiIGVOTKwNK1hDXklnnrrMUGjj4Hi~1dUnuj3BbPMDVChocwQx4d~EgBNgz1d88WMDdN~Qc5VuD-Np45yZn6QDPcM8gakawbAhbvSqzItkE0ZwOK2xdSN2EEMl5eaqkMyU0xIZm21km6rNbTiNrQai6HnJNPdquEKC3MNnusZSXCE62GdcaAIBfd0kwp~B51tAEPRVlv-U2NY4ur66Su6qOdIvwFoFyKkUZv-t0mRdWelZeMS8sDqWs3rTO2corNmCjroOtTBIEvTSRNEmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","A fire and EMS representative told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on March 25 that funding levels for local fire and emergency medical agencies are insufficient and should be increased.

“...in my opinion ... all of the funding for all of our fire and EMS agencies are too low,” the speaker said, urging supervisors to take another look at agency budgets and describing a history of delaying funding increases. The speaker, identified in the transcript as Mr. Estes, asked the board to consider raising both county emergency services funding and agency budgets.

Supervisors acknowledged the pressures on local emergency services, thanked volunteers and career personnel for recent flood and rescue responses, and noted the difficulty of the current budget year. The board approved the countywide fire and EMS operating budgets as presented by a 7-0 vote.

Emergency management staff also told the board the budget includes funding for swift-water team training and that equipment purchases were deferred until after teams are trained and confirmed; county staff said they will ask for equipment funds later.

The transcript records expressions of appreciation for emergency responders and teachers and multiple references to recent flood rescue efforts that shaped the board’s budgeting priorities.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Washington County Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session 3/27/2025 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting, a representative from local fire and EMS agencies said county funding for those agencies is “too low” and urged supervisors to increase budgets; supervisors acknowledged the need but approved the operating budgets as presented.","taxTitle","Washington County, Virginia","taxId",38197,"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},6067632,"Resident criticizes proposed tax increases, property auctions and county economic development spending",213,171000,384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e&start=171&end=384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6067632/Washington-County/Virginia/Resident-criticizes-proposed-tax-increases-property-auctions-and-county-economic-development-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067632-98a454ef3ffd0df3bb4bd532ceda78e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837931&Signature=OALENaDEswMzO8G3QXrxN1aPfjw1R-XshiRX95sX3O8kgjEJiNeB3DFXezDul~gmw62NLbb2v8bO2Es0gl1LiEaAQRpuGFdvOTm-Wfyky0yYU6-RdJZqGWKJg2hI5r6ZCzCKEYycqevC7IjQSKyVVhRUshThFzreye9QNpwMUleT2A9QaKw-RKyhuKkAj4fSVc9D7wqBBpl-nxng6Brm4dGW78Jbd5BrrwQpy~kgOpLoL9vRZBbl7U~U7WnoyyXiYOhWfT17HeqCxIZA2loQN0E1BYlLd06R7KJNNYcO4~pArMvEnJKe99T5uoM25~srCVAH7J-Api6rssR-lI2UYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","James DeBorde of Bristol addressed the Washington County Board of Supervisors during public comment on March 25, urging supervisors to avoid tax increases and to take steps to keep residents in their homes.

“My name is James DeBorde. I reside at 15015 Hurst Road, Bristol, Virginia,” he said. DeBorde criticized board members for not answering questions from the public and said that property owners are bearing more of the tax burden as the county’s population decreases and nearby Tennessee grows.

DeBorde said he received notice that 25 properties were sold at auction and called on the county to “start helping some of these people. Let's figure out ways of keeping them in their homes.” He raised concerns about reassessments and about households he said are on fixed incomes.

DeBorde also criticized a recurring economic development payment, saying, “BVU down here was given $500,000 a year to risk Virginia for economic development packages that none of them…succeeded. Leave that $500,000 in the people's pockets.” He urged “economic develop[ment] people from the bottom up.”

DeBorde closed by urging the board to consider the effects of higher taxes on residents who lack the ability to appear at meetings or speak publicly.

His remarks were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting and did not prompt a formal board response or action in the transcript.

","James DeBorde of Bristol used the public-comment period to criticize possible tax increases, warn about property auctions that sold 25 properties, and question a $500,000 economic development payment to BVU; he urged the board to prioritize keeping people in their homes.",{"_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},6067635,"Local provider says pediatric speech and audiology services reach Washington County children who otherwise lack care",143,15000,158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e&start=15&end=158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e/thumbnail_15000.jpg","/articles/6067635/Washington-County/Virginia/Local-provider-says-pediatric-speech-and-audiology-services-reach-Washington-County-children-who-otherwise-lack-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067635-d38d652291e90399d3846bf4458353a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837931&Signature=K3DPwi~4OHXosRd7xRQD8zAePrAK7x3~XdPfFdMIZt-r28K1XNHwXnxYFzCn5r0fu4nY8Ui644L8F72ddaMbM6teTw9hp6iRPZCjqbJAksgiXHrUSjmoVFVjTDh6Qb2Ie~WHztE-odBJdtJWd3AgG46rc6c2KM4LkNcxgQxR4tOBAEqyvf9k243VmI6BlY9zAEmrL4zcsOYWxiJJ3pdPmqn2fOzOwH5WWhtrYHBckBExUouWei-TZbzAtykWpth7lHj6og2Mlf~iNDqs7k3uZw~4J-fuzoXR9IDk4ICmA~rZzDaMBePvOX0tU4Rk8h5fFupm6a1gnJveDv~ulbyWKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An unidentified provider told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on March 25 that the clinic provides speech and audiology services to children and adults from Washington County and the lower portion of Southwest Virginia, saying the county’s funding helps keep those services available.

“We've been able to help those children,” the provider said, describing services for children with nutritional deficiencies and speech disorders. The provider said the clinic also treats adults with dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that can follow neurological injury or stroke.

On audiology, the speaker said the clinic has “provided over a hundred Washington County children with audiology services” and that “we are the only pediatric audiologists in the lower portion of Southwest Virginia.” The provider described how pediatric hearing evaluations can take an hour and a half and may require repeat visits if a young child will not cooperate, and noted the clinic spends unreimbursed time counseling parents about hearing aids and care.

The provider said county funding supports those patients and thanked the board: “So the money that you give us goes to help all of these, patients and we're very appreciative. Thank you.”

The remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period and did not request a specific board action in the transcript.

","A speaker representing a speech and audiology service told the board the clinic treats children with nutritional and speech disorders and provides audiology services for more than 100 Washington County children; the speaker said there are no other pediatric audiologists in the lower portion of Southwest Virginia.",{"_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},6067641,"Board approves 2025 tax rate of $0.4343, adopts budgets and ratifies county burn ban",482,967000,1449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e&start=967&end=1449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124006-d910941ae512958fc28a5bebe1fce40e/thumbnail_967000.jpg","/articles/6067641/Washington-County/Virginia/Board-approves-2025-tax-rate-of-04343-adopts-budgets-and-ratifies-county-burn-ban","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067641-7f3566a44790438ab430a33e2efdeb3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837931&Signature=ZGlGrTN3CtCm8RpIOoyiUj1y69IZkn2RVtMdqzF7fk9thFA8FJegm4tHdP04blyFxKC5x47OosD0a8Dr81rmEQ4CcbdDqMlcW7SWWmIrgMs1wdc-~q1uHuWlCsajHy~AIOUuFME7eSoCCFTqHN6rFfAGL5OzNm9dBfDCTvD7eIo3VXhfeDUq1S5yRXFmuuIBMmGbWRC73I203z2na4LswJVqd3rLZuHtXIU~GF~~e5AK~tArH4tZZkbOaTq3L2asNrvP8an8bfrQhaTg9T44ZhgU685EdkQZXvnXRyP8pl-3rOQjRz0z-jIUdS86ECkuvIWhM2sR2IQPOFweq5ziJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington County’s Board of Supervisors approved a real property tax rate of $0.4343 per $100 of assessed value and adopted several operating budgets and emergency measures during its March 25 meeting, voting unanimously on each formal action.

The board’s actions included a $278,270 addition to the school operating budget, approval of the sheriff’s office budget as presented, approval of emergency management funding that includes swift-water rescue team training (with equipment to be requested separately), adoption of the countywide fire and emergency medical services operating budget, and ratification of an emergency burn ban declared the prior Saturday at 9:29 p.m. All recorded formal votes were 7-0.

Why this matters: The tax rate and budget votes set county spending levels for fiscal year 2026 and determine local funding for schools, public safety and emergency response. Ratifying the burn ban responds to current drought and windy conditions and gives emergency managers authority to restrict outdoor burning until conditions improve.

The board approved the school system’s operating budget item (Tab 13) with an added $278,270. A motion to approve the item as presented with that addition passed by voice vote, recorded 7-0.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office appeared and asked the board to adopt the recommended budget “with no additions on our part,” and the board approved the sheriff’s budget 7-0.

On emergency management, staff and the board discussed funding set aside for swift-water team training while delaying equipment purchases until after training and team formation. Theresa, an emergency management staff member, told supervisors the budget included training funds and that equipment would be requested later; the board approved the emergency management budget, 7-0.

Countywide fire and EMS operating budgets were discussed as both county-level and individual agency funding; the board approved the operating budgets, 7-0.

On the real property tax rate, the board considered a resolution to set the 2025 rate. Miss Berry (county staff) told the board the proposed budget before them was calculated at $0.44 and said, “if it's the board's desire to do 43¢, I think we can make it.” A motion to adopt the resolution with the blank filled at $0.4343 carried 7-0.

The board ratified a burn ban by resolution (identified in the meeting as resolution 2025-009) that the chairman had declared effective at 9:29 p.m. the previous Saturday; the motion to ratify the declaration was made by Mr. Rush and seconded by Mr. Stevens and carried 7-0.

Votes at a glance (formal items recorded in the transcript):
- Tab 13, School operating budget: approved as presented with addition of $278,270; recorded vote 7-0.
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office budget: approved as recommended; recorded vote 7-0.
- Emergency Management operating budget (includes swift-water team training funds; equipment to be requested later): approved; recorded vote 7-0.
- Fire and EMS countywide operating budgets: approved; recorded vote 7-0.
- Resolution to set FY2025 real property tax rate at $0.4343 per $100: approved; recorded vote 7-0.
- Resolution 2025-009, ratifying the burn ban declared at 9:29 p.m. Saturday: approved; recorded vote 7-0.

Board members and county staff framed the votes as responses to a difficult budget year, reassessments, and community needs for emergency response. Several supervisors and staff thanked local law enforcement, teachers and emergency responders for work during recent floods and rescues.

Looking ahead, emergency management staff said they expect to return with equipment requests after completing swift-water team training; the burn ban will remain in effect until weather conditions allow the board or staff to lift it.

","The Washington County Board of Supervisors on March 25 approved a $0.4343 per $100 real property tax rate, passed multiple operating budgets including a school budget increase of $278,270, and ratified a countywide burn ban; all recorded votes were unanimous (7-0).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire and EMS representative urges supervisors to increase agency funding

Resident criticizes proposed tax increases, property auctions and county economic development spending

Local provider says pediatric speech and audiology services reach Washington County children who otherwise lack care

Board approves 2025 tax rate of $0.4343, adopts budgets and ratifies county burn ban